How you can turn QR codes into art

Globalist GmbH
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As of July 12, 2025
4 min reading time
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What you absolutely need to know
QR codes combine art and technology by creating visually stunning works of art with interactive elements.
They increase the interaction and accessibility of art, despite potential technical and safety-related challenges.
Free online tools such as Quick QR Art and Hovercode support the generation of artistic QR codes.

QR codes have come a long way since their introduction in the mid-1990s. Originally used primarily as a tool for inventory tracking and product identification, QR codes have now been transformed into visually stunning masterpieces that fuse the fields of technology and art. The latest trend in QR codes is the creative and innovative use of artwork to embed QR codes, turning them from ordinary-looking codes into beautiful and unique pieces of art that are fascinating to look at and interact with. This exciting trend, which has gained steam in recent weeks, highlights the intersection of technology and art and shows how they can work together to create something truly remarkable.

Benefits of QR codes in art:

Interactive experience

QR codes enable viewers to engage with the work of art on a deeper level by providing access to additional content such as artist interviews, behind the scenes videos, or detailed information about the work of art.

Expanded information

QR codes allow artists and galleries to provide additional information about the artwork, including the inspiration behind it, the artist's biography, or details about the techniques used to create the piece.

accessibility

QR codes can improve the accessibility of works of art by providing audio descriptions or translations for visually impaired or non-native speakers.

Engagement tracking

By using QR codes, artists and galleries can gain insights into the number of people who have accessed the digital content, which allows them to better understand viewers' engagement and preferences.

Cost-effective

QR codes are relatively inexpensive and easy to generate, making them a cost-effective solution for combining digital content with physical art.

Disadvantages of QR codes in art:

Dependence on technology

QR codes depend on the availability of smartphones and Internet access. If a viewer doesn't have a smartphone or the necessary scanning app, they may miss out on the additional content associated with the artwork.

diversion

QR codes could be perceived as distractions that distract viewers from the artwork itself and draw their attention to the digital content. This could potentially disrupt the intended experience and appreciation of the work of art.

security risks

QR codes can pose security risks if they are not properly managed. Malicious QR codes can direct viewers to phishing websites or expose them to malware. It's important to use trustworthy sources to generate QR codes and make sure they're safe to scan.

Not always readable

In some cases, QR codes are no longer read if the design contains too few contrasts or annoying elements.

Free tools to generate QR codes online:

  1. Quick QR Art: Quick QR Art provides a platform where you can embed scannable QR codes into works of art
  2. QR Creator: With QR Creator's “Artistic QR Code” feature, you can combine a QR code with your favorite image to create a unique work of art
  3. Journey.io: Journey.io offers generative QR code art, where you can enter an image prompt and a link of your choice to generate a beautiful piece of art
  4. Adobe Express: Adobe Express offers a free QR code generator that allows you to customize the style and color of your QR code artwork
  5. Hovercode: Hovercode's AI QR Code Generator allows you to generate artistic QR codes with the help of AI, providing a fun and creative approach to QR code artwork

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