I don’t know about you, but I’m skeptical when it comes to new technologies. Sure…smartphones with cameras are here to stay, and it’s pretty simple to install an app that allows you to take a picture of a 2D barcode, then let it take you to where it wants to go.

But is there a place for QR other than in the retail situation, where you can get a free mp3 download from a music store, or a quick link to a product you’re interested in?

I’m beginning to get convinced that there may be practical uses for these “quick access” codes. I recently ran across a website which will allow you to generate a number of different codes for different uses – for free. It will let me create a 2D barcode which contains my contact information, which, when snapped by a smartphone, imports my info into the smartphone contact database – great for the back of a business card (who wants to enter the info by hand, or buy a 100 dollar scanner?), or on literature at a trade show. I can create marketing codes for clients, which will take them to a promotional page on their website, which might offer 15 percent off on the latest widget, or give them access to services literature.

If you’re scratching your head at this point, and saying “What the hell is he talking about?”, check out some definitions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

Here’s what iMedia Connection thinks:

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/28604.asp

I’d like to know if you’re using them, and how you’re using them.

About five days ago, I had only heard of WordPress – I didn’t own it, I hadn’t installed it, but I had heard it was very cool if you wanted to set up a website which was a hybrid blog/CMS (content management system – read…web page). I’m still hacking away at this, but it’s very user friendly, and you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the PHP side of things, which looks a lot like HTML.

I still have a ton of work to do here, but the WordPress Control Panel, not to mention the one which comes with the template, is very easy to figure out. Granted, I’m an advanced user on the graphic design side, and know my way around a lot of complex software, but software isn’t programming websites. I’m pleased with the way its’ going, and look forward to discussions to come on Graphic Design, DSLRs, and the changing face of the delivery model for media production.

Joe Bourke

There’s more to Motion Graphics Design than putting pretty pictures on a page and moving them around. It takes planning, a content expert on the client side, who can tell me whether or not my designs are accurate and the message is on target, and that the visual content matches what’s being said in the voice over. Read more »

I’ve been telling clients’ stories for well over twenty years, and I’ve come to appreciate that it’s not the amount of time you should take to tell your story that’s important, but the amount of time it must take, based on your content and message. While this sounds like a fine distinction, it’s a very important part of planning your project. Don’t get caught up in planning your project based on what someone else did. The story you tell will determine whether someone listens, or clicks away. Read more »

I spent a large part of my career in Broadcast and Cable Television. The delivery options were clear and simple, and it didn’t take much to find your audience…they were hard-wired into the system. You created your programming or spot, figured out your demographic, picked a timeslot, and boom – you were there. A little fine-tuning and you knew your message was being heard. Read more »

It may sound a bit repetitive, but the sea change in multimedia has more to do with the delivery of media than anything else. True multimedia has been a promise for many years – now it’s a reality! It shouldn’t be frightening – it should be exciting. Any time you can get more bang for your buck, it’s a good thing! Read more »