QR Codes – How To Make Them And What To Use Them For

Michelle Schneider
2 Mar 202204:19

TLDRIn this video, Michelle discusses the resurgence of QR codes in 2021 and provides a step-by-step guide on how to create them using Google Chrome's new feature or other websites like QR Code Monkey and QRCodeGenerator.com. She highlights customization options and various uses beyond websites, such as for contact information, emails, and Wi-Fi access, emphasizing the ease and versatility of QR code generation.

Takeaways

  • 📈 QR Codes had a significant increase in popularity in 2021, becoming more mainstream due to the pandemic.
  • 🔍 QR Codes, which stand for Quick Response Codes, were originally created in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, for tracking automobile parts.
  • 🌐 QR Codes became more widely used by the public after 2010, and the pandemic further increased their visibility.
  • 🛠️ Google Chrome has a feature that allows users to generate QR Codes for any URL they visit, making the process very simple.
  • 🦕 Google Chrome's QR Code generator uses Dino QR Codes by default, which may not suit everyone's preferences.
  • 🎨 QR Code Monkey is a popular site for creating customizable QR Codes, allowing users to change colors and add logos.
  • 📐 QR Code Monkey also allows downloading QR Codes as an EPS file for easy resizing without pixelation, which is useful for graphic design.
  • 🔄 QR Codes are not limited to websites; they can also be used for phone numbers, emails, and even Wi-Fi passwords.
  • 🏠 For example, an Airbnb host could use a QR Code to allow guests to easily log onto Wi-Fi without needing to share the password verbally.
  • 🔧 Other QR Code generators like QRCodeGenerator.com offer a variety of options, including generating codes for Wi-Fi, images, MP3s, emails, text, and more.
  • 🖼️ QRCodeGenerator.com also allows customization of the QR Code's frame, shape, and color, providing a personalized touch.

Q & A

  • What was the main topic discussed in the video?

    -The main topic discussed in the video is QR Codes, including how to make them, various uses for them, and the new feature in Google Chrome that simplifies their creation.

  • Who originally created QR Codes and for what purpose?

    -QR Codes were originally created in 1994 by a Japanese corporation called Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, to track automobile parts during the assembly process.

  • How did the pandemic influence the use of QR Codes?

    -The pandemic helped launch QR Codes into the limelight as they became ubiquitous for contactless transactions and information sharing, leading to a surge in their usage.

  • What is the new feature in Google Chrome that facilitates QR Code creation?

    -Google Chrome's new feature allows users to generate QR Codes based on any URL they land on by clicking on the share icon in the search bar and selecting the 'QR Code' option.

  • What is the significance of the dinosaur in the middle of the QR Code generated by Google Chrome?

    -The dinosaur signifies the use of Dino QR Codes, which is a specific type of QR Code that includes a visual element in the middle of the code.

  • What is QR Code Monkey and how does it differ from Google Chrome's QR Code generation?

    -QR Code Monkey is a website that allows users to create customizable QR Codes with the ability to change colors, add logos, and download them as an EPS file for high-quality resizing in vector-based software like Illustrator.

  • What are some alternative uses for QR Codes beyond linking to websites?

    -QR Codes can also be used for sharing phone numbers, email addresses, Wi-Fi passwords, and even linking to images, MP3s, and social media profiles.

  • How can QR Codes be utilized in an Airbnb setting for guests to log onto Wi-Fi easily?

    -Hosts can set up a QR Code for their Wi-Fi network, allowing guests to easily scan the code and log onto the Wi-Fi without needing to manually enter the network name and password.

  • What is another website that offers a variety of QR Code generation options similar to QR Code Monkey?

    -QRCodeGenerator.com is another website that offers a wide range of QR Code generation options, including the ability to create codes for Wi-Fi access, images, MP3s, emails, text messages, and more.

  • What customization options are available on QRCodeGenerator.com for QR Codes?

    -QRCodeGenerator.com allows users to choose different frames, adjust the shape and color of the QR Code, and select from various content options such as Wi-Fi, images, MP3s, emails, and social media.

  • How does the video encourage viewer engagement and interaction?

    -The video encourages viewer engagement by asking viewers to share their favorite QR Code generating sites and how they use them in the comments section, and to ask any questions they might have for further clarification.

Outlines

00:00

📲 QR Code Evolution and Creation

In this paragraph, Michelle introduces the resurgence of QR codes in 2021 and her focus on marketing, website design, and design-related topics. She explains the origin of QR codes, tracing back to their creation by Denso Wave in 1994 for tracking automobile parts. The mainstream adoption of QR codes is attributed to the 2010 period, with a significant boost during the pandemic. Michelle proceeds to demonstrate how to create QR codes using Google Chrome's latest feature, which generates QR codes from any URL, and mentions the customization options available on QR Code Monkey for more personalized designs.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡QR Codes

QR Codes, which stands for Quick Response Codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned by smartphones and other devices to quickly access information. They are central to the video's theme as the presenter discusses how to create and use them. In the script, QR Codes are highlighted as having gained popularity in 2021 and being used for various purposes beyond just accessing websites, such as sharing Wi-Fi passwords or contact information.

💡Glow Up

The term 'glow up' is colloquially used to describe something that has significantly improved or become more popular. In the context of the video, it refers to the increased visibility and use of QR Codes in 2021, suggesting that they have undergone a transformation in public perception and utility.

💡Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google. In the video script, it is mentioned as a tool that has made creating QR Codes easier with its latest feature. This feature allows users to generate a QR Code directly from URLs they visit, demonstrating the browser's role in facilitating QR Code creation.

💡Dino QR Codes

Dino QR Codes is a playful term used in the script to describe a specific style of QR Code that includes a dinosaur logo. It is an example of how QR Codes can be customized and personalized, which is a point the presenter makes about the flexibility of QR Code design.

💡QR Code Monkey

QR Code Monkey is a website mentioned in the script that allows users to create customizable QR Codes. The presenter highlights its features, such as the ability to change colors and add logos, and the option to download the QR Code as an EPS file for high-quality resizing, emphasizing the website's utility in the context of QR Code creation.

💡Customization

Customization refers to the process of making something according to individual specifications. In the video, customization is discussed in relation to QR Codes, where the presenter explains that users can change colors, add images, and select different frames to personalize their QR Codes, making them more visually appealing and tailored to specific uses.

💡EPS File

An EPS file, or Encapsulated PostScript, is a vector image file format used in digital imaging and desktop publishing. The script mentions that QR Codes can be downloaded as EPS files, which allows for high-quality scaling without pixelation, useful for those who need to resize QR Codes for various applications.

💡Wi-Fi Passwords

In the context of the video, Wi-Fi passwords are an example of the diverse uses of QR Codes. The presenter suggests that QR Codes can be used to share Wi-Fi login information easily, such as in an Airbnb or a coffee shop, providing a convenient way for guests or customers to connect to the internet.

💡QR Code Generator

A QR Code generator is a tool or service that allows users to create QR Codes. The script mentions several websites, including QR Code Monkey and qrcodegenerator.com, that offer QR Code generation with various customization options, illustrating the ease and accessibility of creating QR Codes for different purposes.

💡Vector File

A vector file is a type of digital image file that uses mathematical algorithms to define its content, allowing for infinite scaling without loss of quality. The script refers to the ability to download QR Codes as vector files, such as EPS, which is beneficial for designers who need to resize images without distortion.

💡Pixelation

Pixelation is a digital imaging phenomenon where the image becomes blocky and unclear due to low resolution. The script discusses the advantage of using vector files for QR Codes to avoid pixelation when resizing, ensuring that the QR Code remains clear and scannable at any size.

Highlights

QR codes, or Quick Response codes, experienced a significant increase in popularity in 2021.

QR codes were originally created in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, for tracking automobile parts.

The mainstream use of QR codes began around 2010, and the pandemic further increased their visibility.

Google Chrome's latest feature allows users to generate QR codes from any URL.

QR codes can be customized with colors and logos using QR Code Monkey.

QR codes can be used for various purposes, not just websites, including phone numbers, emails, and Wi-Fi passwords.

QR codes can facilitate easy Wi-Fi access for guests in places like Airbnb or coffee shops.

QR Code Monkey allows downloading QR codes as an EPS file for easy resizing in vector graphic software.

Another site for generating QR codes is QRCodeGenerator.com, which offers a variety of options including Wi-Fi setup.

QRCodeGenerator.com lets users customize the appearance of their QR codes with different frames and colors.

Creating QR codes is simple and does not require advanced technological skills due to the availability of many online generators.

The video encourages viewers to share their favorite QR code generating sites and how they use them in the comments.

The presenter, Michelle, invites viewers to ask questions about QR codes in the comments for further discussion.

The video aims to provide helpful information about QR codes and their various uses.

Viewers are encouraged to like and subscribe to Michelle's channel for more content on marketing, websites, and design.