5 Creative Uses For QR Codes To Inspire Your Next QR Campaign

QR Codes—they’ve become ingrained in everyday life. Once a novelty, you can now see these black-and-white squares on product labels, restaurant menus, billboards, bus stops, and flyers. Many people use their smartphones to scan QR Codes without a second thought. 

But don’t underestimate their power. QR Codes have forever changed how businesses engage with consumers, especially following the pandemic. Many brands continue to push the envelope, testing new and creative uses for their QR Codes.

So unlock your creativity and inspire your marketing with these unique, eye-catching QR Code campaigns. 

(Note: All brands discussed in this article were found during our online research.)

#1: Coca-Cola creates scannable QR Codes with art 

When Coca-Cola launched its global music platform, Coke Studio, the brand wanted to make a big splash. They knew their go-to product marketing QR Codes wouldn’t cut it, so they teamed up with creative technologist and artist Troy Ni. 

Ni’s art, defined by its abstract, sci-fi feel, puts a new spin on the QR Code. These AI-generated, visually interactive QR Codes appeared on displays at movie theaters, stadiums, and theme parks. 

When consumers scanned the code, they unlocked the campaign’s “Be Who You Are (Real Magic)” music video. Written by Grammy award-winning artist Jon Batiste, the video features artists NewJeans, Camilo, J.I.D., and Cat Burns. 

Coke’s QR Codes are a big departure from traditional marketing campaigns. Scanning each code is a sensory journey that gives consumers a fun, colorful visual experience matched with a catchy song and video. 

Bonus points for creativity: 

• Artist-specific codes: Each of the five QR Codes connects to one of the artists featured in the video. 
  
  
• Bright colors: The vibrant colors and aesthetics contained in these QR Codes make consumers feel like they’re engaged in a modern art exhibit, not a clever marketing strategy. 
  
  
• AI-centric: This campaign is just one example of Coke’s forward-thinking approach to leveraging generative AI to create personalized brand experiences. 

What could be improved? 

• Add a logo: Coca-Cola’s bold red logo is instantly recognizable and can build trust and credibility with consumers. 
  
  
• Clearer CTA: Since the QR Codes are supposed to feel more like art installations than marketing ploys, the calls-to-action (CTAs) are mostly non-existent. The campaign relies more on mystery and intrigue to capture attention. 

The type of QR Code you need for this: 

Coca-Cola is one of a handful of brands using AI-powered, illustrative QR Codes for their digital marketing campaigns. For this campaign, Coke likely used a Dynamic URL QR Code. 

The beauty of these two-dimensional barcodes is their versatility. Whether you’re a consumer goods brand or a restaurant, Dynamic URL QR Codes can complement your campaign. 

Send consumers to a specific page on your website or to any other URL or social media page, with clear calls-to-action that guide them to take the next step. They’ll have quick access to information that drives conversions. 

#2: Levi’s makes QR Codes a fashion statement 

Few brands have experimented with making their QR Codes wearable quite like Levi’s. Partnering with Berlin-based digital media and cultural consultancy Highsnobiety, Levi’s created 150 pairs of limited-edition jeans to celebrate its 150th anniversary. 

The Levi’s X Highsnobiety 501 Original jeans include the circular Highsnobiety logo on the front and a woven QR Code below the back pocket. When scanned, the code directs consumers to a YouTube video of Herbert Hofmann, Highsnobiety VP of creative and buying, discussing the brand’s long-standing relationship with Levi’s. 

QR Codes for sustainable fashion and other clothing initiatives aren’t new. But when placed on an iconic product like Levi’s, the QR Codes evoke an exclusive feel. 

Bonus points for creativity: 

• Limited-edition: Look inside the jeans, and you’ll find a label that indicates each item’s number in the limited-edition collection. 
  
  
• Storytelling: Many people love Levi’s quality and fit, but the brand also creates nostalgia. In his video, Herbert Hofmann talks about his own affinity for 501 jeans—the ultimate brand testament. 
  
  
• Simple design: With its white background, the QR Code is easy to spot on the back of the jeans. 

What could be improved? 

• Less white space: The QR Code doesn’t have a frame, which makes the white space look much larger than it is. 
  
  
• Add a CTA: The simplicity of the QR Code lends to its intrigue. But without a CTA, it’s unclear why people should scan the code or what happens when they do. 

The type of QR Code you need for this: 

Levi’s used a Video QR Code for this campaign. If you want to drive consumers to interact with your videos, Video QR Codes are a powerful marketing tool. Your target audience can view exclusive video content, product information, tutorials, promotions, and more with a quick scan. 

Video QR Codes are also ideal for capturing and holding consumers’ attention—82% say they’ve bought a product or service after watching a video. 

#3: Shanghai brings history into the modern era with QR Codes

This one’s for the history lovers. Cities like Shanghai have recently started to use QR Codes for travel to improve and enhance visitors’ experiences.  

The Shanghai Tourism Administration used QR Codes to bring historical sites to life. QR Codes displayed on more than 1,000 buildings transport tourists and locals back in time to learn about China’s largest city. By scanning the code, tourists can read texts, view photos, listen to audio, and watch videos as they explore the city. 

Bonus points for creativity: 

• Good color contrast: The black-over-white background makes the QR Code more visible and readable. 
  
  
• Clear CTA: The “Scan to read more” call-to-action clearly shows the purpose of the QR Code. 
  
  
• Eye-level position: The QR Code is easily distinguishable and scannable from a standing position. 

What could be improved? 

•  QR Code size: The QR Code isn’t visible from a distance. A bigger QR Code would attract more attention and ensure more scans. 
  
  
• QR Code alignment: The QR Code doesn’t fit into the square frame. This is visually distracting and may come across as unfinished or unprofessional. 

The type of QR Code you need for this: 

In this scenario, the ideal solution is a PDF QR Code, which allows tourists to access additional information—as long as they have an internet connection or cell service. These QR Codes make it easy to share information, and from the PDF, you can direct users to your website, which they can explore when they have Wi-Fi again.

#4: Meow Wolf creates art with a myriad of QR Codes

In 2022, U.S.-based arts and entertainment company Meow Wolf took a page from museums and art galleries using QR Codes and opened an immersive pop-up experience at SXSW. 

During this experience, visitors could scan QR Codes to unlock the unique stories behind the creative processes that brought each “island of manifested possibility” to life. 

Meow Wolf even added gamification elements to its interactive exhibits. Each QR Code was integrated into the island itself, so visitors had to hunt for the 14 QR Code images. 

Bonus points for creativity: 

• Use of color: Meow Wolf didn’t shy away from using pops of color in each of the exhibits’ QR Codes. Every QR Code was as unique as the story it told. 
  
  
• A catch-all QR Code: Meow Wolf’s SXSW exhibit gave visitors who got tired of searching for hidden QR Codes an easy out: a master QR Code that included all of the Psychic Artifacts telling the stories of the islands. 

What could be improved? 

• Add a logo: Meow Wolf is known for its vibrant storytelling, but without a logo, the QR Codes didn’t tie back to Meow Wolf’s signature brand. 

The type of QR Code you need for this: 

One standout aspect of these QR Codes is that they encourage additional engagement. Below the list of links to “Psychic Artifacts,” Meow Wolf included a form for visitors to provide their name and email address to get updates about the exhibit. 

With a landing page like this, you can easily collect consumers’ contact information using custom QR codes. Maybe you want to start an email list to stay in touch with your customers or gauge interest in a new product or service. 

Using a Dynamic URL QR Code, you can send people to your landing page to provide their information, adding your brand name directly to the link so it’s more recognizable. Best of all, you can measure success in real time by tracking QR Code scans. 

#5: KitKat invites consumers to share feedback with a QR Code 

To reduce plastic usage, KitKat launched a paper packaging wrapper in Australia. However, KitKat didn’t want to update its packaging without careful consideration. 

The chocolate-covered wafer brand decided it would let customers weigh in on the company’s commitment to cut back on plastic. As they enjoy their treat, customers can scan a QR Code on the product packaging and provide their feedback on the new paper wrapper. 

KitKat is a trailblazer among the companies using smart packaging QR Codes to boost customer engagement. 

Bonus points for creativity: 

• Clear CTA: KitKat not only makes it clear that customers should scan the QR Code and share their opinions but also that the paper packaging is recyclable. 
  
  
• Distinct background: The black-and-white QR Code stands out against the cream-colored pattern on the front of the label and the back flap. 

What could be improved? 

• Sizing: On a standard-sized KitKat, the QR Code is small and may be difficult for some people to scan. 
  
  
• Placement: Depending on how the consumer unwraps their KitKat, the QR Code may be easy to rip in half or forget about.

The type of QR Code you need for this: 

Feedback QR Codes like this make it easy for customers to check in and share their opinions. 

Whether you’re looking for simple responses or more detailed feedback on the customer experience, your customers can scan the code and access your form or survey on any device. Plus, you can keep tabs on what they’re saying by monitoring results and metrics from your inbox and QR Code generator dashboard. 

The key to creative QR Code campaigns is a robust QR Code generator 

There are many creative ways to use QR Codes for your marketing campaigns, even if you’re a small business with a limited budget. With QR Codes, you can gather valuable customer feedback for more effective campaigns, share valuable information with your target audience, or promote your products and expand awareness. 

But the first step is finding a reliable QR Code generator that gives you access to multiple types of QR Codes and customization options to get the shape and colors of your code just right. 

With QR Code Generator PRO, you get an all-in-one QR Code marketing platform where you can customize a variety of QR Codes to fit your brand. Whether you want to emulate Levi’s campaign with Video QR Codes or ensure accessibility with PDF QR Codes, QR Code Generator PRO has you covered.

Ready to generate QR Codes for your marketing materials? Sign up for an account today!