Barcodes grace almost every product for sale. Given how much package real estate they command, why shouldn't they look cool?
Since 2005, D-Barcode has been creating custom barcodes for a mostly Japanese clientele. They've even begun selling their wares to anyone who wants to license them, starting at $1,500 for the design, and $200 a year for licensing. A custom or exclusive use code will run upwards of $4,000--but given that companies spend millions on designing a single package, why don't we see more detailed thinking like this? Middle managers spend weeks arguing about kerning--it'd be better if they spent more time rethinking every inch of such highly prized real estate.
[Via The Dieline, which has a selection of recent designs; another gallery here]
Related Stories: | Topics:Design, D-barcode, Japanese design, graphic design, packaging design, illustration, Innovation, Technology, Business, Real Estate |
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Recent Comments | 8 Total
November 10, 2009 at 12:35pm by Tony Ripley
These are great images. This is a good example of what a type of motto I've always liked to use, "Job 1 is to get the job done, but when and where possible you should have as much fun as you can getting the job done."
These bar codes have probably even provided the additional benefit of simply making some shoppers smile in spite of themselves.
November 11, 2009 at 9:02am by Yael Miller
It's not hard to do, and certainly doesn't warrant a price tag of $4000 for a custom design.
Here's one example I did for a marshmallow brand's packaging: http://www.yaelmiller.com/index.php?/packagingfoodgourmet/elyon-marshmal...
Come on, designers! Don't be afraid to try it!
November 11, 2009 at 9:49am by Alex Hayes
Cool bar code art!
November 11, 2009 at 9:50am by Alex Hayes
Cool bar code art!
November 11, 2009 at 11:19am by Chris Reich
This speaks volumes of the state of U.S. business thinking. We used to be the ones to come up original ideas like this. When everything is outsourced, the focus of thinking goes to "Supply Chain Management" and "Continuous Quality Improvement". Something so simple reflects such a serious slip.
Chris Reich
BizPhyZ.com
November 12, 2009 at 12:10am by KLove VsDrugs
So Cool@
November 13, 2009 at 12:25pm by Brady Bone
Barcode Revolution (d-barcode) receives the only Titanium Lion at Cannes in 2006. Now they are getting mention on FastCompany.com for their “innovative” - might I say expensive - custom UPC designs.
Well, the late Rick Tharp - founder of Tharp Did It! - did it no less than 20 years earlier. http://j.mp/1r93PK
November 28, 2009 at 10:33am by Scott Blake
I've been distorting barcodes for fun since 2001. Check out my series of barcode shapes that are compatible with scanning technology.
http://www.barcodeart.com/distorted_barcodes.html