As QR codes continue to grow more popular, companies are experimenting with innovative ways to use them. The innovation may come from people instead of companies, however, especially as more artists get their hands on the codes. Frank Haase, an artist and designer, has made a prototype pair of QR coded shoes. The idea is simple enough but could have major implications on marketing campaigns and may be a good tool for those looking to brand themselves.
The shoes feature a QR code carved into their sole. The idea is that the code will be left behind where the wearer has trod. According to Haase, this works best when walking from a wet surface to a dry one. The codes would also be better seen on surfaces that show a great deal of contrast when wet. Even so, the codes are not always clear enough to be scanned, even with some of the best scanning applications available.
Some work has to be done to make sure that the codes will always be readable, but Haase believes that the concept is sound. If marketers were to adopt the idea, it could have some success in viral marketing campaigns. Consumers have grown wary of scanning codes that are not clearly associated with an established company. This is due to the fact that QR codes are becoming a popular tool for hackers looking to cause mischief in the mobile world.
