Whether it is to promote new exhibitions, student art portfolios on business cards, or to create more engaging museum tours, QR Codes have made a definite impact on the art world. And with more flexibility when it comes to QR Code design, it has made them easier to integrate into illustrations, logos, and any art medium.
The benefits of applying QR Codes on art
Teresa Margolles’ new work El asesinato cambia el mundo / Assassination changes the world, is described as investigating the social and aesthetic dimensions of conflict by infusing artwork with material traces of violence and loss. One of these materials is a receipt reproduction of an ammunition purchase by the artist at the same Walmart where, on August 3rd, a 21-year-old man opened fire with an assault rifle and killed 22 people. The receipt shows the purchase of an ammunition box of 25 shells for $5.48, plus tax. Perhaps even more jarring than something as mundane as a receipt is the QR Code at the bottom, prompting customers to scan for Walmart coupons. Since QR Codes can be photocopied, Walmart’s scan & go mobile coupon still works. If visitors snap a picture of the receipt, as Siddhartha Mitter did, they are transported for a moment from the exhibit to the banality of everyday life: getting discounts on your grocery shopping.
Maybe all you know about QR Codes is their contribution to advertisement and information sharing, or as effective marketing tools. But their ability to mediate between the offline and online world makes them excellent tools for artists to help audiences explore new ideas by combining different mediums and offering a variety of perspectives.
1. Create a more inclusive art world
QR Codes can help you create new pathways in the pursuit of art. It gives you a unique set of tools to close the gap between different locations and increase accessibility to spaces not usually open to the general public.
Code the Dream in Durnham, North Carolina turned two murals on East Chapel Hill Street into digital portals, granting scanners access through the Mariposa AR app to the North Carolina Museum of Art exhibit honoring Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. By creating this project, Code the Dream increased accessibility to the museum, located in Raleigh, to anyone across the state who wasn’t used to visiting it often.
Perhaps one drawback was that people viewing the mural needed to have the app downloaded beforehand. QR Codes set-up an even more seamless scenario, where even those unaware of a digital access point in the physical world can still be included. The App Store QR Code, for instance, is an easy way to connect scanners to the app! It matches the mobile device’s operating system to the correct App store, enabling people to download it and partake in the experience instantly.
2. Amplify your art with QR Codes
You don’t always need an app to augment reality or create a more interactive experience. Take Germany, for instance, and the city of Münster’s LWL Museum exhibit on Turner: Horror and Delight. For the entire run, visitors could scan a QR Code that gave them access to a digitorial, a webpage that offered visitors a treasure trove of information on Turner, his life, travels, aesthetic, and style.
But QR Codes don’t just need to be digital doorways. You can offer different perspectives and views on a subject you are covering with a playlist stored in a Video QR Code. Or use the MP3 QR Code to frame a tableau with sound designed to recall a certain feeling. The different types of QR Codes are a resource that can help you give a more amplified voice to your ideas.
3. Easily integrate it into your aesthetic
QR Code Generator PRO gives you even more artistic flexibility when generating your own Codes. You can add individual brand colors with custom frames and edges, put a logo or image in the middle, and include a unique CTA (call to action). QR Codes are adjustable in size and image file type, so they can be made to fit any art medium you use.
4. QR Codes help you track, measure, and plan
Are people viewing your wall art? Interacting with it? Until now, that was perhaps one of the major drawbacks when it came to print materials or physical objects, which is the inability to track any kind of progress or action occurring between art and viewer. Especially in contrast with digital platforms. QR Codes have changed that.
When you use a Dynamic QR Code instead of a Static one, you can view real-time tracking data for any visual art media. Metrics such as location by city and country, time scanned, operating device used, and unique vs. total scans enable you to monitor how well your QR Codes are working and how you can improve them for the future, so you can really oversee every detail of your creative output.
How to create a QR Code on art?
- Go to QR Code Generator and select the type of QR Code you’d like for your art piece. We recommend starting with the URL QR Code.*
- Type in the website in the required field to link with your QR Code.
- Your QR Code will be generated automatically.
- Now, customize the design of your QR Code by adding a frame and a “Scan Me” logo.*
- Select colors to match your style.
- Select ‘Download’ to receive your QR Code file in .jpg format.
- Integrate your newly-created QR Code to any design.
*Sign up to create a Dynamic URL QR Code, where you have the option of adding more information, more visuals, and edit or replace information without reprinting a new QR Code, even after print. You can also choose from a variety of frames and upload your own logo for further branding.
QR Codes on art best practices
When designing your QR Code on art, there are a few valuable details to keep in mind so that your efforts get the best results. For more detailed instructions, visit our QR Code design guide.
1. Customize your design
It’s highly recommended to customize your QR Code with all of the styling options available. This helps QR Codes match your aesthetic.
2. Use the appropriate size
Using the right size for your QR Code ensures that there are no problems scanning your Code and that users can read it. QR Codes should be no smaller than 2 x 2 cm (around 0.8 x 0.8 in) because they can always be scaled up—even to the size of a billboard ad! We’ve also got four different image file types to download QR Codes to help you find the right size and image type to fit all designs.
3. Add a CTA
One big mistake QR Code users have made in the past is printing them without a short written explanation of what someone would gain or learn from scanning one. Make sure to incentivize viewers to scan your Code, or else all your efforts will be for naught.
See QR Codes on art in action
Need some inspiration to get the creativity going? Here are five use cases showcasing real-life QR Code ideas on art.
Diversify your income as an artist
Tag your public art with a Bitcoin QR Code to offset the costs of art materials and supplies. As the first decentralized digital coin, Bitcoin removes the middle man. Combined with QR Code technology, it makes it easy for anyone with a smartphone to point their mobile device at your art and donate to you. Don’t believe us? Pascal “PBOY”, a French street artist made $1,000 after adding a Bitcoin QR Code to his wall paintings.
Connect viewers to your online store
With a Dynamic URL QR Code, you can connect your exhibition directly to your online store. If visitors see an art piece they like, they can scan the QR Code and browse your store to order a print or the original, and have it delivered.
Promote yourself as a creative
Social media has had a huge impact on artists and how they promote their art. With the advent of Twitter and Instagram, a website might slowly become a thing of the past and the new museum halls might be self-curated social media platforms. But what if you have an exhibit in the physical world? Don’t just add a link in your bio, make a post with an Event QR Code, linking to a mobile-optimized page with all pertinent information interested people can save to their phones.
Provide more information about your art
Get viewers into your perspective with a PDF QR Code connecting them to what inspired you to create your work. Just upload a PDF to a Code either integrated or attached to your art so people can dive into the story and process behind your creativity.
Connect communities through augmented reality
You have an app for people to download so they can experience your art on a different level? You can connect viewers seamlessly from your art to different exhibits across the country with an App Store QR Code. It connects scanners instantly to any app store, so they don’t have to needlessly search to see if it is available for their smartphone operating system.
FAQs
QR Codes on Art | QR Code Generator? ›
So how do I convert an image to QR Code online? Sign up to QR Code Generator PRO and get started with a 14-day free trial. You can upgrade at any time to continue using the QR Code if you decide the tool is right for you. Once your account is activated, select Create QR Code in the dashboard then choose Images.
How do I create a QR code for my artwork? ›- Go to QR Code Generator and select the type of QR Code you'd like for your art piece. ...
- Type in the website in the required field to link with your QR Code.
- Your QR Code will be generated automatically.
- Select colors to match your style.
- Select 'Download' to receive your QR Code file in .
So how do I convert an image to QR Code online? Sign up to QR Code Generator PRO and get started with a 14-day free trial. You can upgrade at any time to continue using the QR Code if you decide the tool is right for you. Once your account is activated, select Create QR Code in the dashboard then choose Images.
Is there a QR code generator on canva? ›On the editor side panel, click Apps. Under Create something new, click on QR Code. Enter the URL of the page you want your QR code to open. Click on Generate code.
How do I get a QR code for canvas? ›The QR code is located in your account profile (User Navigation Menu).
How do I create a QR code for a JPG? ›- Go to QR code generator online.
- Choose the file QR code solution for a single image or H5 QR code solution to embed multiple images in the QR code.
- Upload your JPEG file/images.
- Click Generate QR code, which will then be generated in a dynamic type of QR.
The highest-rated QRCode Generator in the Chrome Web Store. Key Features: ✓ Generate QR Code of your current page with just one click. ✓ Free for everyone.
Can I generate a QR code for free? ›Absolutely. The Adobe Express app is quick and easy to use on smartphones and other mobile devices. Simply open the QR code generator, add your desired link, choose a style and color, download the file, and you're done. With Adobe Express, there's no need to create an account or sign in before you start.
Can you generate QR codes in Illustrator? ›Once you've copied your URL, go to Object > Generate QR Code. Then under Type, choose Web Hyperlink and paste your URL into the box labeled URL. Then select OK. This immediately shuts the dialog box; however, your QR code hovers at the end of your cursor rather than appearing directly on the page.
How do I turn a logo into a QR code? ›- Go to Beaconstac's free QR Code generator.
- Enter the URL to be converted to QR Code.
- Upload your brand logo, change its size and positioning.
- Add it to QR Code and save.
- Your custom QR Code with logo is ready.
Do QR codes expire? ›
Technically, a QR code doesn't “expire.” Like static QR codes, they're just a matrix of squares that contain information. But because dynamic QR codes can be made to redirect to any new information at chosen times, they can effectively expire.
Do QR codes work on Canvas? ›You can view a Canvas login QR code in your Canvas web browser. You can scan this QR code with your mobile device to log in to the Canvas Student app without entering your institution URL and user credentials.
Can you create a QR code in Adobe? ›Create a QR code for your website using Adobe Express on web. In the Try a quick action menu on the Adobe Express homepage, select QR code > Generate QR code. Insert your website URL into the generator and select Create QR Code. Customize the Style and Color of your QR code using the options provided.
Is QR code monkey really free? ›The created static QR code is 100% free but if you need scan statistics, flexible editability and more features then have a look at our QR Code Generator for professionals.
What can I use instead of a QR code? ›Microsoft Tag is most like a QR Code
Tag is a type of bar code that when scanned by a Tag reader links the user to online content. Some of the advantages of Microsoft Tag include these: They're faster than QR Codes. You can store more data on a Tag than you can a QR Code.
Which is the best QR Code file format to use? We highly recommend downloading your QR Codes in PNG as it is better in preserving the best image quality.
What image format for QR code? ›QRCode image can be generated in two format: (default) png bitmap image file format.
How long do Google generated QR codes last? ›The good news is that static QR codes provide an unlimited scan and never expire.
Does Chrome have a QR code generator? ›You can create a QR (quick response) Code to share a page from Chrome with others. Go to the page you want to share. Select QR Code .
How much does QR code generator cost? ›Live QR Code Generator has 3 pricing editions, from $3.99 to $39.99.
Are free QR code generators trustworthy? ›
- Beaconstac — 10/10.
- QR Code Generator — 9/10.
- QR Code Monkey — 8.5/10.
- Scanova — 8/10.
- The QR Code generator — 5/10.
- Shopify — 6/10.
- GoQR — 3/10.
- QR Stuff — 6/10.
QR Code as artwork
Besides using a QR Code to share your art, a QR Code can itself be a work of art. How? Well, it is a well-known fact that QR Codes can be customized for their design. This can be done by adding colors, logo, or even superimposing them on a background image.
You can use a variety of shapes but the key is subtlety. You don't want the edges to completely reshape your QR Code. Keep in mind that extreme deviation from a QR Code's overall shape will make it unrecognizable and unscannable which ultimately results in fewer scans.
Is A QR code copyright? ›Denso Wave trademarked the term QR code and owns the patent rights, but does not exercise those rights, which makes the technology freely available for creation, distribution and use.
How many times can a QR code be used? ›Is there a limit to how many times a QR Code can be scanned? Static QR Codes get an unlimited amount of scans. However, these are untraceable and offer no useful metrics for your marketing efforts. With Dynamic QR Codes, you can select the plan that best fits your needs.
Does anyone use QR codes anymore? ›Do people use QR Codes? The answer is yes. Most smartphones come with a native QR Code scanner in their cameras. QR Codes are hugely popular amongst businesses and age groups of all kinds.
Can QR code be duplicated? ›Can QR Codes be photocopied? Yes, they can. All you need to do is ensure that the QR Code's photocopy is good quality and not pixelated or smudged. This will make sure the QR Code is still scannable.
Will a QR code work if I print it? ›You can print a QR Code or barcode if you save the file containing the URL or the like in the OBC format to a USB memory, then connect the USB memory to this machine and finally print the file.
Will printed QR code work? ›No, there is no specific QR code paper needed to use your QR codes. As long as the code is readable and is printed on flat, non-textured, matte-finished paper. For smaller QR codes, you can use smooth-coated papers with good ink holdout.
Do QR codes work printed on fabric? ›Yes, you can print a QR Code on fabric. All you need to do is ensure that your QR Code's color contrasts with the fabric's color. Also, make sure that the material isn't rough in texture since this can affect the QR Code's scannability.
Will a QR code work from a PDF? ›
Copy the PDF URL and use a PDF QR code generator.
You're now ready to copy the PDF's URL and turn it into a QR code. Some file-sharing systems can generate a QR code for your files. There are also many online services that can convert the PDF's URL address to a QR code for free.
Can QR codes be colored? QR codes can be colored. But, avoid making QR codes in inverted colors as it will make it more difficult to scan by QR scanners. Plus, ensure proper color contrast when designing your QR codes.
Can you put a PDF in a QR code? ›Turning a PDF into a QR Code does not require any coding knowledge or any technical know-how of complex tools. You can either create a PDF QR Code by pasting an online link where it's hosted or simply upload a PDF and turn it into a QR Code.
What is the best app to create a QR code? ›- QR TIGER. ...
- QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play. ...
- QR Code Reader by Scan Mobile. ...
- NeoReader QR & Barcode Scanner. ...
- QR Reader by TapMedia Ltd. ...
- QR Code & Barcode Scanner by TeaCapps. ...
- QR Code Generator & QR Maker by Gulooloo Tech. ...
- QR Code Generator & QR Code Scanner by MixerBox.
QR Code Monkey FAQs
The pricing for QR Code Monkey starts at $49.0 . QR Code Monkey has a single plan: Lifetime Plan at $49.00.
QRCode Monkey
You'll get QR codes that don't expire with this generator. What's more, QRCode Monkey provides dynamic QR codes. Change and edit them at will.
- Go to the free QR code generator.
- Select File if you only need to convert one image to QR code or the H5 QR solution (if you need to generate multiple pictures in one QR code)
- Upload your image/s to your preferred QR code solution and click Generate QR code.
To add a QR code, click Elements on the left menu in the PosterMyWall editor. Select Add QR Code. A QR code will be placed on your design. Select and drag the QR Code to move it around.
Does Google have a QR code generator? ›QR Code Generator - Google Workspace Marketplace. You can customize, track QR Code for Form™ with high quality image.
How long do QR codes last? ›But how long do QR codes last? The good news is that static QR codes provide an unlimited scan and never expire.
Are QR codes free? ›
Are QR codes free? Yes, the QR code is free to use and can be generated in any QR code software as long as the QR solution is generated as a static QR code.
How do I use codes in Canva? ›- Open or create a print-supported design. ...
- Click on the Print button from the top of the editor.
- Follow the order dialogs until you reach the Confirm and pay page. ...
- Select +Add coupon code.
- Enter your coupon code.
- Select Apply. ...
- Enter your payment details, and finish your order.