Because QR is a machine-readable code, there are a few considerations when it comes to designing with these bad boys. Allow me to demystify.

What do you need to know to design a good QR code?

• Any colour
• Any modular material
• At least 55% contrast between the background & foreground
• “Quiet space” (margin) should be 4 units
• 3 detection patterns in corners must remain clear
• Can obsure up to 30% (if using highest error correction level)
• Any orientation: can be upside down or rotated
• Perspective is ok
• Anamorphic (widescreen) is ok
• Distorting the cell’s shape is ok
• Circles & other shapes are ok
• Reversing the design is ok

Test, test, test! Did I mention you should test?

• Print your code
• Test is with several different scanners
• Test is on as many phones as you can
• Test it on all major OSs

Where can I learn more about QR codes?

These slides are from my presentation Voir QR: The History, Use & Abuse of QR Codes. You can check it out on Slideshare, where it made the front page for being awesome!

Codes used above designed by talented people like Patrick Donnelly at QR Arts, SET Japan, Chris Lamberth, Ming Ling and Chris Thomas. If I missed you, just yell.