There is a good chance that you have at some point noticed the standard bar code that adorns the packages of all sorts of goods from grocery items to clothing tags. These small codes are filled with numerical data that identifies whatever item it is attached to by using a scanner. In 1994, Toyota added a new dimension to this technology by creating quick response codes and placing them on vehicles as they were produced in order to identify them. These QR codes are boxed in design and can store much more data than the simple bar code. As smart phones have experienced greater proliferation, the QR code technology has expanded to let these devices act as scanners. There are creative ways in which to use them. The point of the marketing side of QR codes is to get consumers to scan them, but with their near omnipresence, a business must make theirs stand out. Most devices have a high tolerance for reading QR codes; therefore, these symbols can be imbued with graphics entrenched in the design. For example, a movie poster might feature the likeness of a particular actor in the code. A specific television network might attach their company logo or call letters to the QR code box so that those who scan it also receive another type of exposure to their brand. Some businesses have utilized QR codes as a complement to printed materials. Many companies have sent out catalogs with a QR code printed on the spine. Customers are able to leaf through the pages at their leisure, forming a wish list as they do. Office hours and mail delivery times for checks and credit card orders might slow down the process or deter someone from ordering. By scanning the QR code, a virtual store is opened up that allows the customer to shop at any time of the day. For the holiday season of 2011, retailer JC Penney unveiled possibly the most creative use for a QR code yet. Whenever someone buys an item at any of their stores, they are provided with a Santa Tag that features a QR code. If this item is a gift, the buyer is able to scan the code and record a personalized voice message for the recipient. The code containing the message is then attached to the present and sent away with a greeting for a friend or loved one. There are many other creative uses for QR codes such as virtual tours set up in parks and cities. Some bring paintings to life. As the years go by and the technology continues to expand the possibilities, there seems to be no end to the creative uses for QR codes. Find out more – Free QR Code Generator