QR Code Readers

Technology

We had a great reaction to our last blog post, which if you haven’t yet read it, was all about QR (Quick Response) codes. In case you too now want to explore these funny, square barcodes we thought we’d tell you how.

STEP 1
You need a smartphone or tablet with internet conectivity. Your device must have a camera, almost all of these devices have one, sometimes two. The smartphone or tablet can be Apple (iOS) or Blackberry (Blackberry OS) flavoured, a Nokia (Symbian) or Android based device, or even one of the new Windows Phone 7 variety.

STEP 2
Next you’ll need to access the ‘App Store’ for your phone/device. If your using an Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, then simply visit the Apple App Store. Android smartphones and tablets can connect to the Android ‘Market’, while Nokia has ‘Ovi’, Blackberry offers ‘App World’, with Windows Phone 7 having their ‘Marketplace’.

STEP 3
Download a QR code reader app to your device. Our favourite QR code reader is TapMedia’s ‘QR Reader’. It’s fast, effective and free! It scans in real time and allows you to share your discoveries via email, facebook and twitter. Additionally the app allows you to save your discoveries and even create your own QR codes and business card QR codes.

You may already have a QR code reader but just don’t realise. For example, recent versions of the eBay Mobile app feature a barcode reader capable of scanning QR Codes.

Apps such as ‘RedLaser’, which allows you to scan barcodes and then compare prices online, will also scan QR codes.

STEP 4
Find a QR code and scan it! You can now find QR codes in more and more places from billboards to business cards, magazines and TV shows, even on bottles of English Cider! If you can’t wait to find some to try out, just visit our contact page or try the QR codes below and you’ll see one fun use of a QR code and one practical use.

Web Design Preston YouTube QR Code Virtual Business Card Design with QR Codes

STEP 5
Create your own QR codes! As we mentioned in Step 3, some QR code reader apps can also create QR codes. Alternatively there are several web based code generators which can create different types of QR codes at varying sizes for a range of end uses. A few of our favourites include:

Whilst generating and implementing QR codes isn’t difficult, there are some  highly effective strategies which can be employed. If you’d like to know more, then talk to us about your current or future marketing plans and we’ll explain how QR codes can be used most effectively as part of your overall strategy.

"Quentin is quick to understand what you need and even helps fill in any gaps where you've not quite thought of everything."

"If you need design work that's going to actually help produce sales, he's the man!"

Jon Price

Complete Care Shop

"We have used Quentin for design work ranging from the design of infographics and websites through to a large majority of our own branding and print material."

"Quentin is quick to understand a brief and always delivers outstanding work on time and on budget."

James Brockbank

Digitaloft

"Quentin has provided an excellent service to Catapult PR over many years and always produces fresh and exciting treatments."

"His right-first-time approach saves valuable time on every project and he backs his design work with excellent advice."

Jane Hunt

Catapult PR

"Quentin has a great ability to create a creative piece from a vague brief."

"A pleasure to work with and we will be using Quentin James Design again."

James Conlon

Niavac Ltd

"Quentin James Design took on the brief of producing an important presentation for us quite last minute."

"The finished article was excellent and perfectly balanced for the audience involved."

Greg Clementson

G&P Batteries Ltd

"What I loved about the way in which Quentin worked is that he gave me options in terms of the design."

"He interpreted my rather vague brief with speed, quality and an intuitive sense about what I needed."

Georgia Parker

Find Your Inner Unicorn

"I found Quentin James Design very easy to work with and understanding of my needs."

"Having had the initial discussion Q came back with various options and from there on in through regular discussions he produced a website design that I'm proud of."

John Ashton

VJA Consultancy

"Quentin is full of innovative ideas, works quickly and thoroughly and is a great communicator."

"I would highly recommend Quentin James Design if you are looking for a partner for your business."

Elizabeth Downing

Green Monkey AV