posted on
August 04, 2008 at 09:45AM
While these are creatively great, they probably aren't practical for use in our automated processes at this time. An expert in the use of bar codes for product labels and shipping labels isn't aware of anyone utilizing a "creative" bar code symbol for a product design. There are practical limitations- Most systems that scan bar codes have minimum size, color and bar code spacing requirements in order for the code to be readable. The information encoded in the bars has to be translatable, so that may also limit the artist's ability to manipulate the lines asthetically. The artwork would have to be reproduceable at a fairly exacting level to adhere to these standards, which may be why this isn't something that is being embraced on a production level. In looking at these, most of them would not scan, even with pretty high tolerances in place to read the label. As technology evolves, I'm sure this will be something that will eventually be put into production, as it is fun and cool.