Examples of alienated QR Codes

On this page you will find a few examples of "alienated" QR codes.

The QR code patterns were created using the QR Code Generator described elsewhere, saved as a JSON file and loaded from there into the processing "sketches" mentioned below.

A guide explains how to use the pages in this website, their behaviour may be adjusted in the settings.

QR Code in Rainbow Colors

A very simple "alienation" is to use colours other than black (and white). Most scanners manage quite well with other colours for the individual modules - as long as there is sufficient contrast and it is not inverted. You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch directly to your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the Sketch.

Fig. 1: QR Code in Rainbow Colors

QR Code with a Photo in the Background

Fig. 2: QR Code with a Photo in the Background

Another very simple way is to use the QR code pattern as a kind of "window" through which you can see a deposited photo. How well this method works, however, depends very much on the specific QR code pattern and the photo used. You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch directly onto your computer. All you have to do is put a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format and a photo called "Foto.jpg" in the directory with the sketch.

QR Code with Circles instead of Squares

The individual modules don't necessarily have to be square either: this example shows circular modules, the result has a bit of the feel of a Go board. You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch directly to your computer. All you have to do is put a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format into the directory with the sketch.

Fig. 3: QR Code with Circles instead of Squares

QR Code from combined Modules I

The modules do not necessarily have to consist of a single geometric figure, but can be composed of several figures - however, the result should always be checked for its suitability with the help of a scanner.

However, QR codes designed in this way only really come into their own in a somewhat larger display.

Fig. 4: QR-Code from combined Modules

You can download the associated Processing Sketch directly to your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch.

QR Code from composite Modules II

Who says modules can only be composed of geometric figures? Did you know that honeybees are intelligent enough to group together to form a QR code? See for yourself:

Fig. 5: QR Code made from a Group of Bees

The individual bees in this QR code only come into their own in a larger display (the original is 1024x1024 pixels in size), besides, patterns with better error correction are preferable. And last but not least, you may have to experiment a bit with the number of bees until you get a usable QR code.

You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch together with the used bee directly to your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch and the bee.

QR Code from composite Modules III

Ants are also known for their swarm intelligence, as demonstrated by the QR code below:

Fig. 6: QR Code from a Group of Ants

Again: the individual ants in this QR code only come into their own in a larger representation (the original is 1024x1024 pixels in size), besides, patterns with better error correction are to be preferred. And last but not least, you may have to experiment a bit with the number of ants (you need a lot more ants than bees) until you get a usable QR code.

You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch together with the used Ant directly to your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch and the ant.

QR Code from composite Modules IV

Feeling a little tired? You urgently need a coffee? You'll find enough beans for it in the following QR code:

Fig. 7: QR Code from a Pack of Coffee Beans

Again, the individual beans in this QR code only come into their own in a larger image (the original is 1024x1024 pixels), besides, patterns with better error correction are preferable. However, due to the shape of the coffee beans, you get a usable QR code faster than using bees or even ants.

You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch together with the used Coffee Bean directly to your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch and the coffee bean.

QR Code from composite Modules V

The last image in this series uses ivy leaves for the modules:

Fig. 8: QR Code made from Ivy Leaves

Once again, the individual leaves in this QR code only come into their own in a larger display (the original is 1024x1024 pixels), and patterns with better error correction are also preferable. However, due to the shape of the ivy leaves, you get a usable QR code faster than using bees or even ants.

You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch together with the Ivy Leaf used directly onto your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch and the ivy leaf.

QR Code with Shadow Effect

Fig. 9: QR Code with Shadow Effect

Carefully dosed, a QR code can be given a three-dimensional appearance through shadow effects. You can download the corresponding Processing Sketch directly onto your computer. All you have to do is place a file called "QR-Code.json" with the desired QR code pattern in JSON format in the directory with the sketch.

More Ideas

May it be possible to design QR codes in the style of ancient Greek vases or Roman mosaics? And how would Leonardo da Vinci have sketched a QR code? Or a medieval monk with a quill? Or a Buddhist monk with a Shodō brush?

You can get more ideas, for example, on the page QR Code Artworks.