QR codes

What did I say last week? QR codes are “coming of age”, and they are here to stay. Somewhere in Seattle, people are using QR codes on their tombstones and the tombstones of their loved ones so that they can preserve memories in more tangible forms. Morbid as it may seem to some, I think it’s one of the more creative and useful uses of technology.

If you disagree, then you might be more interested in another application of QR codes, which seems to be gaining traction. A project called QR-3D ((QR-3D Site)) is up and running and looking for participants. This project has a simple aim – to see if textile versions of QR codes will work.

It does not take much effort to realize that textile QR codes can take on a wide variety of forms, as there are so many ways by which you can place a design on fabric. There is screen printing. Then there’s cross-stitching (or plain old stitching). How about quilting? Knitting? The possibilities are boundless, and one can easily see how this project can open up the doors of your geeky creativeness – or creative geekiness, whichever you prefer.

The project is being curated by Sally Fort, who poses the challenge to textile artists and geeks to come up with all sorts of ways to integrate QR codes into their work. Anyone can participate in the project, and if your work is chosen, it will be included in the QR-3D exhibit at Cornerhouse, Manchester, UK. This will be held later this year, in autumn.

What makes me excited about this development is the possibility of having QR codes (with real “meanings”) on t-shirts. Everyone’s wearing quirky, geeky shirts. Bring out the next big thing – QR codes shirts that need to be deciphered! What do you think?

QR codes have been around for a while, and people have been using them for a wide variety of purposes, but it seems that they are now making it in the commercial sector. Believe it or not, QR codes have been used to store information on tombstones!

It used to be, though, that one might have to search long and hard for people who would make the highly specialized tombstones. If you live in Seattle, or surrounding areas, then you can prepare for your own high tech memorial by getting in touch with the company Quiring Monuments.

This company has been in the business of death and remembrance for three generations, and they are keeping up with the times – actually getting ahead of others in their sector. They are now offering burial markers that have embedded QR codes containing images and info about the deceased.

You probably have seen these QR codes in magazines and ads – squarish black and white images that somehow resemble bar codes but are quite different. QR codes can be read by any device with a reader installed. For example, if you have a reader on your phone, you simple have to scan the QR code and the information will be displayed on your screen. This info can include photos and text.

So yes, Quiring Monuments is at the forefront of things, and while the technology might not be welcomed by some who want to keep to the old traditions, I am pretty sure there are more than enough technophiles who will welcome this technology with arms wide open.

What do you think of using QR codes for your tombstone?

Via NPR