Employ Printed QR Codes for a Rapid Response

Not long ago, scanning books or groceries using a rectangle barcode seemed quite novel. It was fast, convenient, and just a little fun. But as society’s pace accelerated, so did our need to read barcodes efficiently. In 1994, Japanese auto-makers adopted “Quick Read” QR codes (square matrix barcodes that could be scanned from any direction) that stored a hundred times more information than conventional barcodes.

QR codes have a unique look, encouraging customers to get involved by scanning the code and following the “digital scavenger hunt” you’ve created to lead them to a URL for your website, social media page, or to retrieve personalized communication from you (like texts or e-mails). QR codes are a fantastic advertising strategy as they allow users to engage with a brand in convenient, personalized ways. QR codes increase conversion rates while coaxing prospects further down the sales funnel effortlessly.

Use InDesign to Create and Modify Your Own QR Codes

Did you know you can use InDesign to create and modify your own QR code? InDesign treats QR codes as graphics, so you can scale and modify them like other artwork in your documents.

Follow these simple steps to add a QR code to your designs:

Click and drag the Rectangle Frame tool on the page to create an empty frame.
With this frame selected, choose Object/Generate QR Code.
Select what type of data to encode using the Type menu. The content area below this menu will allow you to choose a web URL, plain text, a text message or e-mail option, or even a business card. Enter your preference and continue the corresponding steps to enter appropriate data.
Click the Color tab and choose a color swatch. You can modify the color by changing the “Fill and Stroke” attributes or leave your QR code black and white.
Click OK for your code to be added to the selected frame.

Bridge the Gap Between Print & Digital

Nielson found about 56% of consumers rely on printed materials for sales information, specifically when seeking information on a purchasing decision. Print is seen as a concrete, reliable source, especially for prospects nearing a decision.

By including QR codes in print marketing, you increase the potential for landing a valuable client. Consider using QR codes for:

Product packaging, invoice stuffers
Printed menus, business cards, or rack cards
Store promotions with discounts available at checkout
Promotional games, puzzles, or scavenger hunts
Stickers for merchandise, packaging, displays, or cards

Print is naturally viewed as informative and trustworthy, and QR codes are a perfect tool to bridge the gap between your print and online media!

Adobe Creative Cloud All-in-One For Dummies

by Jennifer Smith & Christopher Smith

Get ready to jump into the Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is the most popular suite of tools among creative professionals, and a valuable resource you can use to fulfill all of your design goals. Ready to get started? The only book on the market of its kind, Adobe Creative Cloud All-in-One For Dummies is written by designers for designers. It will provide you with expert instruction that spans seven mini-books, with helpful information that can grant insight regardless of your current level of knowledge.

Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud is a marketable skill, and this all-in-one reference guide will help you add InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, Acrobat Pro, Adobe Bridge, and Adobe Experience Design to your resume. With more than 800 pages of content, this detailed guide will give you confidence you need to use Adobe photography and graphic design tools to edit photos, make original designs and layouts, and let your creativity shine with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Learn design basics and utilize more advanced features
Protect your documents with Acrobat Pro
Find tips and tricks to make each program work better

From 3D images and vivid illustrations to dynamic web pages and interactive effects, Adobe Creative Cloud All-in-One For Dummies shows you how to do it all!