Article by Andrea Krystine
Since the introduction of QR (Quick Response) codes, many businesses are making the shift to mobile technology to keep up with the rapid changes of the market.
Fashion Camp LA, a conference held in June of this year, offered a great intro to QR-codes with speaker Philip Warbasse, creator of the True Blood QR code and CEO of
Warbasse Design. In his presentation, Warbasse explained QR as a technique that would enable users to engage in immediate content thus integrating their on and offline experiences.
Offering consumers an additional means of instant information through several medias, including the bonus of exclusive content, is something that would not only engage consumers, but allow businesses a better understanding of how online experiences affect consumer’s offline decisions and vice versa. Currently big in Japan, QR codes are expected to be quite predominant in the states come the holiday season (according to Warbasse).
A project called “RememberMe”, a collaborative of the
Oxfam shop in Manchester and
Tales of Things, has taken QR technology to a more personable level that tends to the customer experience, satisfaction, and recycled fashion education. The project's initiative?--to allow the ability to retrieve/record background info on used/second-hand items.
Ever wonder exactly where that $2 denim skirt you bought at the thrift store came from? Who wore it, where they acquired it, or how old it actually is?
At the May 2010
Future Everything Festival,
RememberMe was put to the test as a research assistant was based in the Oxfam shop recording nostalgic stories on the clothing pieces and other objects that were donated. The memories were converted into audio clips and linked to QR codes in which were attached to the goods for sale.
Photo from Ecouterre website
In order to store and track the stories behind the objects, as well as connect people with similar experiences,
Tales of Things launched a website that assists those trying to sell their second-hands on ebay or other e-commerce sites by allowing the media-link through QR from their beta site.
Per the
Ecouterre website,
RememberMe “has a loftier goal than just giving old clothes the opportunity to speak for themselves. By offering a new way for people to attach value to their 'stuff,'
RememberMe could render goods less disposable.”
For more information on QR codes and fashioncampla, including a recorded webcast of the conference, visit www.fashioncampla.org
For information on the RememberMe project, click here
