What does innovation mean to me? For some, it can be mean design with a purpose, or a brand new idea that breaks through the clutter of today’s advertising. However, for me, innovation means a new form of art or way of thinking that extends beyond the initial stage of, “Wow! That’s awesome!” Innovation can be new, but it can also be smart and intelligent based on an age-old tradition or way of life.

Two words: QR codes. QR Codes are innovative because we can use this new piece of technology, a “smart phone,” and take a picture of a strange black and white image to send us to a link? While most people use it as a way of advertising or branding, no one has ever thought about using it by way of sending a message.

Way back when, pictures used to be used to tell a story, implementing images instead of words to portray a scenario. These days, images are used to stop you in your tracks, entice you, then trick you to tell you that so-and-so is having a sale and after spending all this time scanning in this particular QR code, you get a measly $5 off of from an obscure store you probably would never step foot in.

Instead of using these innovations for marketing and advertising, there are some people who would rather use QR codes as an abstract idea, not a business tactic. The ‘hobo code,’ for example, is essentially a system of symbols that homeless individuals use to warn other homeless individuals about a particular establishment or location. Think of it as a secret code of symbols and images, dating back to the cavemen days—using simple pictures to communicate a basic idea.

Taking this idea of simple pictures to tell a secret message, street and F.A.T. (Free Art & Technology) artist, Golan, has taken this timeless form of communication and implemented it in QR codes. Using stenciled QR codes, Golan can “inform ‘digital nomads’ about the dangers and benefits of the local establishments if there’s ‘bike thieves’ or ‘assholes’ about”. It is a beautiful blend of traditional art and technology to communicate a message and idea in today’s society.

Now, that, my friends, is truly innovative.

See ANIMALNewYork article here

Josie Ng is a Creative, Intern at Organic