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New Dynamic QR Code
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How much time do you spend looking at art or reading its label?
Research shows that visitors spend an average of just 28.63 seconds on an art piece. This brief interaction leaves countless stories untold and misses many learning opportunities. Museums are constantly looking for ways to increase audience engagement, but guided tours and brochures can only go so far.
A simple label placed next to an art piece adds little value, and visitors with deeper interest leave wanting more context and background stories. A simple, sustainable, and cost-effective way to deliver this added depth is through museum QR Codes.
QR Codes help you engage visitors both inside the museum and long after they leave, and they’re surprisingly simple to set up. In this guide, you’ll see how museums use them, why they work, and how you can start using them yourself.
Table of contents
- Why traditional museum labels fall short
- How museums and exhibitions can use QR Codes to enhance visitor experience
- How to create effective QR Codes for museum exhibits
- Best practices to implement QR Codes near museum exhibits
- How to optimize QR Code engagement at museums with analytics
- Start creating richer museum experiences with The QR Code Generator (TQRCG)
- Frequently asked questions
Why traditional museum labels fall short
Even with thoughtful curation, most museum experiences still rely on small text panels to explain complex stories. Here are some challenges that museums face with traditional exhibition labels.
1. Information overload
One of the most common mistakes in exhibit labels is attempting to tell an entire story within a single card. Galleries with text-heavy panels next to art or artifacts can overwhelm visitors. They may stop reading it altogether, miss key details, or receive limited educational value.
2. Static and outdated content
Traditional labels are inherently inflexible and expensive to update. When information becomes outdated or new research emerges, it’s not easy to update the labels instantly. The process of installing entirely new labels is slow and involves months of coordination across multiple departments.
3. Limited multimedia integration reduces engagement
Physical labels can’t include audio guides, curator videos, behind-the-scenes content, or interactive elements that modern visitors prefer at museums. While digital habits have grown rapidly, many labels remain purely text-based, creating an engagement gap between what visitors expect and what’s available on-site.
4. Accessibility failures
Traditional museum labels often fail to meet accessibility standards for multiple visitor populations. Font sizes are usually below the recommended 18-20 point threshold, and the lack of multilingual options excludes significant audiences.
Research reveals that nearly 20% of museum websites provide no accessible information for people who are blind, deaf or hard-of-hearing, or neurodivergent visitors. Text-based panels don’t support alternative communication formats or sensory map guidance.
5. No scope for measuring insights
Traditional museums have limited visibility into which exhibits engage visitors and how people navigate spaces. This makes it challenging to optimize future installations, curate an engaging experience, and focus marketing efforts based on existing exhibits.
These challenges can be easily navigated by adding QR Codes to your museums. They open the door to make museum exhibits interactive while solving core issues.
How museums and exhibitions can use QR Codes to enhance visitor experience
Visitors want context and stories, not just a glance at an exhibit label. QR Codes provide museums with an easy way to layer richer content onto every display, helping people explore more deeply while addressing common challenges such as limited space, outdated signage, and accessibility gaps.
1. Offer unlimited contextual depth on demand
By adding QR Codes to your labels, visitors who wish to know more about the origin of the artifact, associated history, or more information can scan it to learn more. Even if you have existing labels or signage, you can add a QR Code under them with a simple CTA to engage interested visitors. It improves the visitor’s experience without affecting the existing flow of information. The National Museums Scotland uses this approach effectively by linking QR Codes to audio tours and contextual materials to improve user experience.
2. Accommodate accessibility needs
QR Codes can help make museums more accessible for visitors with disabilities. You can implement this by adding various ways to engage with the exhibit, such as providing different text options, access to content in sign language, and incorporating dyslexia-friendly fonts.
The Museum of Art and Photography enabled this by adding tactile experiences to their museum and digital accessibility features, such as including settings to adjust fonts, contrast, font size, and more. You can customize these for different audio and visual experiences. For example, an MP3 QR Code that users can listen to or a multi-URL QR Code to present the same information in different languages for foreign visitors to the museum.
3. Build interactive experiences
Interactive experience at the MAP museum
Most visitors, especially on a vacation, visit a museum to learn more while also engaging with the culture. For some visitors, such as children, this can become monotonous. But, museums can turn this into an interactive learning experience with QR Codes, where visitors can interact with digital art or enter a scavenger hunt.
Here are several ways museums can make exhibitions interactive:
- Augmented reality experiences: Let visitors scan QR Codes to see 3D reconstructions of damaged artifacts or visualize how exhibits appeared in their original contexts.
- Interactive games: While viewing an exhibit, visitors can scan a QR Code to unlock fun facts or Easter eggs hidden within the artwork.
- Choose-your-own-path tours: Visitors can select a theme and follow QR Codes around the museum for a personalized tour tailored to their niche interests.
- Behind-the-scenes content: Scanning a QR Code could reveal restoration videos, curator commentary, or time-lapse clips showing how an exhibit was created or preserved.
- Visual timelines or maps: Certain exhibits can link to interactive timelines, allowing visitors to zoom in, explore different eras, or trace the artifact’s journey across cultures.
- Family-friendly activity trails: QR Codes can launch mini-challenges or storytelling prompts designed for kids, making exhibitions more engaging for younger visitors.
For example, The British Museum uses QR Codes for interactive family missions that are hidden in their various exhibits. People can scan a QR Code to take part and complete five different challenges around the museum.
4. Effectively manage crowds
Popular exhibits can create bottlenecks, where visitors cannot move smoothly or experience the displays properly. QR Codes can help you navigate this challenge with virtual queuing systems. This way, museum visitors can enjoy other exhibits while waiting for their turn.
The Art Institute of Chicago has deployed QR Code-enabled virtual lines for its most popular exhibits. People scan the QR Code to join the virtual line and receive a notification when it’s their turn to enter. This drastically improves the visitor experience, as they can spend more time with the exhibits without feeling rushed.
5. Create opportunities to collaborate with brands
Museums increasingly rely on sponsorships and partnerships to fund operations and exhibitions. QR Codes create partnership opportunities that benefit both museums and brand sponsors by enabling meaningful visitor engagement rather than intrusive advertising.
The National Gallery in London partnered with the My Little Pony movie to create QR Code-enabled AR experiences. The museum had 10 horse paintings that would turn into the movie character when scanned.
6. Engage beyond the museum
The museum experience doesn’t end when visitors leave the building. QR Codes allow you to create digital and virtual experiences when people can’t visit the museum. You can also use it to promote new exhibits while engaging in promotional activities outside the museum by linking to sneak previews of upcoming exhibitions.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art launched Met Unframed, an AR experience that gave a virtual tour of the museum via a QR Code. It allowed visitors to click on various artworks to obtain more information and also enabled them to add the artwork to their space.
7. Use QR Codes to promote the museum application
You can use app download QR Codes to help visitors download your museum’s application in seconds. A quick scan takes them straight to tickets, maps, audio guides, or items from the gift shop. Place these codes at the entrance, near exhibits, or by the exit where people are most likely to take action. You can also track which QR Codes drive the most installs and update the link at any time.
The benefits of using QR Codes in museums cannot be overlooked. The next step is to create the correct QR Code for your museum.
How to create effective QR Codes for museum exhibits
Creating QR Codes for museum exhibits is incredibly easy. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Choose the QR Code type based on purpose
There are multiple types of QR Codes to choose from based on the action you want them to perform for visitors.
- Use a URL QR Code to direct visitors to exhibit details or artist information
- Use an audio QR Code to link to audio tours or audio descriptions of the artwork
- Use a video QR Code to link directly to curator interviews or historical video footage.
- The multi-URL QR Code is excellent for offering content in multiple languages.
For museum exhibits, it’s highly recommended to opt for dynamic QR Codes. These codes are trackable (allowing you to gather valuable data on which exhibits are most engaging) and let you update the linked content at any time without reprinting the physical code.
Step 2: Generate your QR Code
To create your museum QR Code, sign in to The QR Code Generator and select a QR Code type. Enter the specific link (audio guide URL, video link, etc.) or upload the relevant file for the exhibit and click ‘Next’.
Step 3: Customize based on the exhibit
Next, customize the QR Code to blend seamlessly with the exhibit design and your museum’s brand. Customize the QR Code by incorporating your museum’s primary colors and your logo in the center. Add a custom QR Code frame with a clear call to action (CTA), such as “Scan for Audio Guide” or “Learn More.” Once you are satisfied with the design and placement of the CTA, click Save.
Step 4: Download and prepare for display
Name your QR Code and download it in a high-resolution format. QR Code formats such as SVG for large-format printing, or PNG for digital displays. Before deploying your QR Code, test it thoroughly with various mobile devices and operating systems to ensure it scans.
When placing it near an artifact, ensure the printed QR Code is large enough to be easily scanned without interfering with the viewing experience. Place it at a comfortable height for all visitors.
In addition to creating QR Codes, there are several guidelines to keep in mind to ensure your museum visitors have the best possible experience.
Best practices to implement QR Codes near museum exhibits
Following these best practices will ensure your visitors receive maximum value during their museum visit.
Use dynamic QR Codes
Static QR Codes encode fixed information permanently, while dynamic QR Codes allow you to update linked content without reprinting. This is helpful for museums where exhibit information or content changes regularly. These trackable QR Codes also give you access to valuable insights and analytics tracking. You can A/B test QR Codes at different placements and optimize based on actual visitor behavior rather than assumptions.
Consider the QR Code size
The size of your QR Code directly determines scannability. The foundational rule is a 10:1 distance-to-size ratio. In museum exhibits, visitors typically stand 50 cm away, which means your QR Codes should be at least 5 cm × 5 cm to be scannable.
Place it in strategic locations
To increase the number of scans, place the QR Codes in locations where visitors spend most of their time. This could be next to exhibit labels, at gallery entrances, and near waiting areas where people have time to engage. Adding QR Codes to flyers, brochures, tickets, and pamphlets is also helpful.
Keep high contrast
QR Codes require a strong contrast between the QR Code pattern and background to ensure reliable scanning. Avoid inverting colors (light patterns on dark backgrounds), as this significantly reduces scannability. When you customize QR Codes with brand colors or logos, test extensively across multiple devices before deployment.
Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs)
Always accompany QR Codes with CTAs that explain what visitors will receive upon scanning. Avoid generic instructions such as “Scan here” without explaining the benefit. Instead, opt for descriptive CTAs like “Scan for audio tour” or “Scan to read about the Roman society.”
Optimize content for mobile
To provide a good museum experience, linked content should be fully mobile-optimized with responsive design and fast loading times. Consider offering free Wi-Fi to allow visitors with limited connectivity to be able to scan and view the information.
Provide alternative access points
Not every visitor will have a mobile device, so it’s essential to plan alternative access methods to ensure inclusivity. Printed materials, touchscreen kiosks, staff-led explanations, or numbered audio guide systems can help everyone feel inclusive.
Once the QR Code is deployed, you can keep track to see how museum visitors are engaging with it and understand ways to improve it.
How to optimize QR Code engagement at museums with analytics
One of the key perks of using QR Codes in museums is that you get to measure every interaction. With dynamic QR Codes, you can view dashboard data such as scan rate, device type, time, and date of scan. You can use this data and others to measure performance indicators, including:
- Scan-to-engagement ratio: Track how long visitors spend with your content after scanning a QR Code.
- Content completion rates: Monitor whether visitors watch or listen to entire videos or audio guides to gauge the relevance and appeal of the content.
- Accessibility usage patterns: Check how often accessibility features, such as audio descriptions or sign language videos, are accessed to ensure inclusivity.
- Placement effectiveness: Utilize different UTMs for QR Codes in various locations to determine where visitors are most likely to scan and engage.
This can help you A/B test content, placement, and regularly experiment to refine your QR Code strategy for more engaging museum experiences.
Start creating richer museum experiences with The QR Code Generator (TQRCG)
Traditional exhibit labels simply can’t keep up with what today’s visitors expect. Dynamic QR Codes offer a practical and sustainable way to move beyond static content and give every visitor the more profound and interactive experiences they’re looking for. Moreover, it helps make your museum more inclusive and sustainable.
If you’re ready to bridge the gap between your collection and your audience’s curiosity, try The QR Code Generator (TQRCG) – a budget-friendly QR Code generator that scales with you. With TQRCG, you can track, customize, and instantly update your QR Codes to evolve with your exhibits and keep your museum experience fresh.
Start by creating two forever-free dynamic museum QR Codes today!
Frequently asked questions
To boost scan rates, make the value immediately obvious. Instead of using vague prompts such as “Scan for more info,” tell visitors exactly what they’ll get and how long it will take. A label such as “Scan to watch how this sculpture was carved” sets clear expectations and encourages interaction.
Place QR Codes at a comfortable scanning height of around 3–5 feet while ensuring good lighting and minimal glare. Avoid reflective surfaces, and when possible, use small movable or angled labels so visitors can easily align their cameras instead of struggling with flat, fixed wall mounts.
Dynamic QR Codes are the better choice because they allow museums to update content without reprinting labels. They also provide analytics to track visitor engagement and make it easier to refresh or expand information as exhibits change. Static codes don’t offer this flexibility.
QR Codes can direct visitors to screen-reader compatible content, multilingual translations, audio descriptions, and text that can be resized for better readability. This helps museums make exhibit information more accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Museums can offer alternatives such as tablet-lending stations, digital kiosks, or traditional printed materials. The goal is to ensure QR Codes enhance the experience without replacing essential access so that every visitor can still engage with exhibit content.
You can track engagement by using analytics tools with unique tracking parameters for each placement. Monitoring scan counts, time spent on linked content, and overall visitor feedback will help you understand which exhibits attract the most interest and which types of content drive deeper engagement.
