Digital Diva

QR codes are the funny-looking squares on pretty much everything these days.

Haven’t noticed them? Take a look at the packaging with your new skincream, your new trainers or many other items. They might be small and hidden away, but they will be there.

QR codes have been around for a while now, digital agency Swamp (now called Brass), was one of the first agencies to make a big splash with QR codes. We added a QR code on every single England Football Kit, for our client Umbro. The QR code linked to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the England team.

However, most other marketers, despite saying that they are going to set the world of advertising alight for many years, haven’t found many creative ways to use QR codes.

In a recent blog post, mydigitalsoapbox had a nice little idea for using them:

Savvy marketers have been talking about the impact that QR codes are going to have on advertising for a long time, but I’m more intrigued by the impact they are going to have on the medium of print in general.

A couple of days ago, I was reading an article about Cee Lo’s new “F*ck You” video in the print version of the New York Times.

It wasn’t alive at all. It was black and white. It was print.

Now, imagine if there was a QR code on the NY Times page that I could scanned with a QR code app on my iPhone.  Upon scanning, my iPhone would “link” to a blog post on NYTimes.com with Cee Lo’s video. I’d be engaged and my experience would have been thoughtfully enhanced. As a not-so-insignificant side effect, page views on the NY Times blog are increased and ad revenue increases. 

Doesn’t this seem like a no brainer?

Yep, seems like a no brainer to me too! 

I don’t always want to read newspapers online, I like the feel of paper. However, sometimes you need a moving picture or some interactivity to really bring it alive.

Adding a QR code would be a nice solution for those with any kind of phone (not just those with iPhones) to get to the online content add-on quickly and easily.

One step closer to the newspapers in Harry Potter?  ;-)

The app looks lovely, but what were they thinking with the name? 

Exciting news for fashionistas in need of some quick advice about what to wear! Fashism.com launched its first iPhone application today, available for free in the iTunes store.

The application enhances the “crowd-sourced” fashion advice offered through the site and offers users the flexibility to upload pictures and receive instant feedback and browse images for inspiration on the go!

Take a look at the Fashism PressLift for more information and images and download the application today.

This modified Smith-Corona Super Sterling, found on Etsy, works as a USB Keyboard for PC, Mac, and even iPad.

…and of course, instead of pressing ‘enter’, you activate the return carriage.

It’s good to do beautiful work, but even better when it’s internationally recognised.

The highly talented designers at Brass created packaging for Mallard Tea and it has been featured in Lürzer’s Archive of the 200 Best Packaging Design Worldwide. We feature alongside the likes of Coca-Cola, Levi’s and Panasonic.

That’s a nice way to end a Tuesday afternoon :-)

Read more at:

http://www.brassagency.com/blog/brass-work-featured-in-lurzers-archive-200-best-packaging-design-worldwide

Ok, I’m a geek. I’m a total geek. I now have my own URL shortener.

I’ve signed up to Bit.ly Pro and have a cute little domain name.

Can life get any better?