QR Code Design Best Practices

Want to learn how to make your Flowcodes the most successful they can be? Follow these QR code design best practices to create a seamless scan experience and get maximum engagement with your audience.

The anatomy of a Flowcode

To start, it's helpful to understand the landscape of QR code design. QR codes are graphical representations of images, and as such have various components that make them readable by your smartphone's camera. Each of these elements plays an important role in creating a seamless scan experience for your QR code.

• Eyes: These three boxes on the code help your phone camera recognize that it’s looking at a QR code. When you choose to color a code, these boxes will be augmented to fit your larger color pattern of your code.
  

• Data points: Also known as a QR code's data pattern, these dots are unique pieces of information that act like a particular code’s fingerprint. Dot color can be customized too, and can be a mix of colors, or a color gradient.

• Background: The background of your QR code can be solid, gradient, or have images and other embellishments around the border!
  

• Frame: Frames are usually added to the outside of your data pattern as a border. This can make it easier to add a call-to-action in the form of text (i.e. scan here or only today) without it confusing the viewer.
  

• Logo: Flowcode enables you to insert a logo inside of your QR code. This will display directly in the center of your code if you choose to upload it. However, if you are printing a very small QR code, it is not recommended to upload a logo as phones will have a hard time scanning the code.

Color & Contrast

• Use High Contrast Colors: The reason black and white QR codes are so popular is because high contrast color designs increase readability. The easiest way to do this is having a white or light background color. Moreover, consider implementing a computer mockups in QR code design as it can help to improve visualization, offers time and cost efficiency, and an iterative design process.
  

• Darken Eyes & Data Points: As a rule of thumb, the eyes and dots of your QR code should be dark. This enables your phone's camera to easily detect the information in the code. When data points are too light or white, codes can be considered ‘inverted’, which some phone models can’t read.
  

Calls-To-Action

Use the design of your Flowcode to communicate with your audience. The design of your code itself is a perfect opportunity to highlight what a customer might receive if they engage with your code. This both increases trustworthiness of your code and branding, but also provides an opportunity to push incentives for a larger audience to engage. Adding information about the benefits of scanning -- information, promotions, or limited edition materials -- encourages more people to take the time to scan your code and engage with your content.

• Clearly Outline Benefits: Use this text to clearly highlight how users can access something from your Flowcode they can't find anywhere else. Using messaging around exclusivity and special offers encourages people to take part.
  

• Create Urgency: Use timely prompts in order to get maximum engagement. Highlighting limited time promotions and opportunities can drive more engagement than regular messaging.

• Provide Scan Education: Using language like "Scan To" and "Scan with your phone" can help clearly communicate with audiences who many not be familiar with QR technology and boost engagement by facilitating a seamless experience.

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