Open Forum

Hello, Maggie,

In general, QR codes do not need to be very large, as today's cell phone cameras are very responsive and capture QRs with surprising efficiency. However, there is no standard size because it depends on the distance to the visitor. It is not only important that the camera captures the QR-code well, but also that the QR-code is large enough for the visitor to spot it.  To find out, I suggest printing the QR code in different sizes on a piece of paper, sticking it on the wall, and positioning yourself with your smartphone at the distance you think the visitor is likely to scan it. Choose the size that works best.

However, since this is an accessibility measure, ideally the code should be tactile (embossed) and placed a little above the navel, so that the visually impaired visitor can identify it with their fingers and point the camera correctly. (See here how tis has been solved by the Austrian Parlament: https://www.parlament.gv.at/services/barrierefreiheit/barrierefreier-besuch/ausstattung/index.html - Scroll until you see "QR-Code Verwendung und taktiles Symbol")

If you want to go one step further: It would be even better to provide a single QR code that gives access to all audio descriptions, and to print this QR-code with a slight relieve (embossed) on a card that can be given to visually impaired visitors at the front desk: That way, the visitor would only have to scan it once, and you would avoid visually saturating your installation with QR codes. In addition, the card allows visually impaired visitors to discreetly scan the QR without having to touch the wall in front of others, which can be stressful for them and reduce the adoption rate.

I hope this was at least a little bit helpful!

Kind regards,

I would just add that if these are printed on fabric that moves or may be bent, wrinkled, or curved, this could strongly impact usability of the QR codes, no matter what the size. I know this first-hand due to a marketing effort that involved QR codes on t-shirt sleeves that caused much consternation... Proceed with caution.

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Brian Hewitt
Senior Manager, Digital Media and Experience Design
Corning Museum of Glass
Corning, NY
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Hi Maggie,

We did our at about an 1" square on the label. Each QR code links to a separate webpage on our site. So far there have been no complaints. Please let us know what you end up using, I love the discussion thus far....

I think the suggestions that have already been made are good ones!  I just wanted to applaud you for having audio descriptions at all!  I've been working on an audio description project for several years -- creating audio descriptions of public art.  If you don't already know about the LEAD conference, run by the Kennedy Center, you might want to consider attending it.  LEAD stands for Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability.  This year's conference will be in Cleveland in late August.  Can you share the images/audio descriptions with me?  

--Dan Ellison, 919-491-4625, artandmuseumlaw@aol.com

I have found this discourse very helpful. I would add to an earlier point that mentions front desk staff. To engage audiences with vision impairment, consider how they will become aware of the QR codes. This can be achieved with tactile floor elements detectable by a cane, or by using technologies that push notifications. Alternatively, front desk staff should be well-trained to inform visitors about this content and provide printed resources to help them locate and use the QR codes.

Maggie -

Wonderful!  Among other things, I organize an "Artist Link Pop-Up Exhibit" each month as part of downtown Durham's (NC) "Third Friday Art Walk."  The Pop-Up is an opportunity for artists who identify as having a disability exhibit and sell their work.  It is an informal collaboration with Arts Access NC.  Here is a link to Arts Access' webpage for their artist link project. https://artsaccessinc.org/alp/

What is your email address, so that I can have further communications with you directly, instead of through the AAM portal.

Dan Ellison, artandmuseumlaw@aol.com

Thank you for this thread--lots of useful stuff here!

Apologies for the self-promotion, but while we are on the subject of audio description--I'm an experienced freelance writer of audio/verbal descriptions for both works of art and video (currently working with MoMA, amongst others). If your institution needs an AD writer, or would benefit from a conversation with someone who can advise on the AD process and best practices, please reach out to me at the email below!

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Olivia Good
Writer/Producer, Audio Guides and Audio/Verbal Description
oliviahgood@gmail.com
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Good morning everyone! These are wonderful ideations and discussions, so thought I would offer a different solution as well. We have helped museums in this area by either using our proprietary app to actually let each user guide their audience journey, or for their phone to activate the experience itself via an object or a QR code. This gives you full control over content update, experience, disability access, and engagement help without needing to do lots of manual work. Please reach out to me if you would like to see some examples of this that may assist you.