QR codes: The simple solution to multilingual interpretation
QR codes have become a natural tool for modern museums. When visitors scan a code with their phone, they get instant access to information in their own language. No app download, no sign-up, just direct access to audio, text and video.
The technology has been available for several years, but especially after the COVID-19 pandemic more people have grown used to scanning QR codes. From restaurant menus to health passes, the habit is now firmly in place among most smartphone users.
For museums, that means an opportunity to offer multilingual interpretation without filling the walls with signs in every language. A single QR code can link to unlimited information, and the text can be updated at once without reprinting signs.
According to data from Nubart, a leading provider of QR-based audio guides in Europe, the use of QR codes rose by 62.5% in the period before and after the pandemic, from 35.4% to 97.9% among European users.
Why QR codes work well for museums
The QR code, Quick Response, was invented in Japan in 1994 by the company Denso Wave. Originally it was used to track car parts in production.
In the museum world, QR codes were first adopted in the early 2000s, but they never really took off. The reason was simple: people did not know how to use them, and you had to download a separate app to scan. That was too high a barrier for most.
But in 2017 everything changed. Both iOS and Android began including QR readers as standard in the phone's camera app. Suddenly there were no barriers. You point the camera at the code, and the content opens in the browser.
When COVID-19 hit, QR codes became necessary to get into restaurants, bars and public places. People learnt the technology, and discovered that it was convenient.
The 5 most important advantages of QR codes in museums
1. Maximum use of wall space
Curators have traditionally faced a dilemma: how do you give visitors the information they need without turning the gallery into a wall of texts?
QR codes solve this. A single small code can link to unlimited information (texts, audio, video, images) without taking up more than a few centimetres on the wall. That preserves the exhibition's aesthetic, while you can still offer in-depth interpretation.
2. Multilingual access without high costs
Have you tried printing information cards in Danish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese for every single exhibition? The costs quickly add up, and the result can look cluttered.
With QR codes you link to the same web page or audio guide, which is shown automatically in the visitor's preferred language. You simply add more languages to your audio guide. There are no extra print costs.
3. Instant updates without reprinting
Every curator knows the problem: you spot a factual error in a text shortly before opening. With traditional signs the correction is expensive and time-consuming. With QR codes you simply edit the text, and the new version is available at once.
4. Valuable data on visitor behaviour
When visitors scan QR codes, you gain insight into which exhibitions attract the most attention, how long people spend in different rooms, and which languages are most popular. This data can be used to improve future exhibitions and refine the interpretation.
5. Cost-effective implementation
Compared with traditional handheld devices or dedicated apps, QR codes are cheaper to implement. You avoid hardware costs, app development and maintenance. A QR code is generated easily and can be printed on standard materials.
How we generate QR codes in your unique brand colour
At museumguide.com we have made QR code implementation simple. When you create your museum in our system, we automatically generate a QR code that matches your visual identity.
We use your primary colour as the foreground colour on the QR code. That means the code is not just functional. It also looks professional and fits your brand, whether you use it in print, on signs or in digital contexts.
The QR code links directly to your own museum page. Visitors scan the code and land on your museum experience with every available language and audio guide.
QR code vs traditional solutions: A comparison
When museums consider digital solutions, they often have several options. Here is a comparison of the most common approaches:
| Criterion | QR code solution | Handheld devices | Traditional printed signs | Dedicated app |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start-up cost | 4,000-15,000 kr. | 75,000-150,000 kr. | 10,000-50,000 kr. | 150,000-250,000 kr. |
| Number of languages | 40+ | 2-5 | 1-2 | Unlimited |
| Update time | Minutes | Weeks | Days | Days |
| Maintenance | Minimal | High | None | High |
| Hardware needs | None | 50-100 devices | None | None |
| Analytics | Detailed | None | None | Detailed |
| Environmental impact | Low | High (electronics) | Medium | Low |
| Ease of use | High | Medium | High | Low |
Implementation guide: Get started with QR codes in 6 steps
Step 1: Create your museum in the system
Start by creating your museum in our system. You enter basic information such as name, address and contact details. You are then assigned a unique URL in the form museumguide.com/museum/your-museum-name.
Contact us at museum-guide.com/en to get started.
Step 2: Choose your primary colour
In the museum settings you choose your primary colour. This colour is used automatically to generate your QR code. The system ensures that the colour contrast is sufficient for the QR code to remain scannable.
Step 3: Add exhibitions and rooms
Create your exhibitions in the system. For each room you can add a title, a description and any relevant media. Once the structure is in place, the system automatically generates the QR code infrastructure.
Step 4: Generate and download QR codes
Go to the QR code section in your CMS. There you will find your automatically generated QR code in your brand colour. Click "Download QR code" to save it as a high-resolution PNG file, ready for print.
Step 5: Print and place strategically
Print the QR codes at a suitable size. We recommend a minimum of 3x3 cm for good scannability, and preferably larger for important exhibitions. Place them clearly visible at the entrance to each room and beside particularly important individual objects.
Step 6: Test on different devices
Before you open to the public, you should test the QR codes with different phones and screen sizes. Check that links work, that language selection works, and that audio playback starts correctly.
Strategic placement of QR codes: Maximise engagement without overwhelming visitors
Placement of QR codes matters. Too many codes can create confusion, while too few can mean visitors miss information.
Recommended placement
At the entrance: A general QR code that gives access to the entire audio guide. The code most visitors will scan first.
At each room: A QR code at the entrance to each exhibition room, linking to room-specific information and audio guide. That makes it easy to start at any point in the visit.
At key objects: For particularly important works you can place a QR code with in-depth information, background history or an audio commentary. We recommend a maximum of 4-5 QR codes per exhibition room to avoid scanning fatigue.
Consider card-based distribution
One approach several museums have had success with is to hand out physical cards at the entrance with a unique QR code. Visitors can scan the card and get access to the entire guide, without having to look for QR codes around the museum.
Technical considerations for optimal performance
URL structure and redirect handling
We use short, descriptive URLs for each museum. When a visitor scans the QR code, they land on a dedicated page that is optimised for fast loading and mobile display.
Error correction and reliability
Our QR codes use error correction level "H", which means that up to 30% of the code can be damaged and still be scannable. This is particularly important in busy museums, where QR codes can become dirty or partly covered.
Performance and load speed
The pages the QR codes link to are optimised for fast loading on mobile devices. We use modern caching strategies and progressive loading, so visitors can start listening as quickly as possible.
Get started today
QR codes are a simple technology that can improve the way you interpret your collection. With QR codes in your primary colour, unlimited multilingual support and instant updates, you have the tools to give every visitor a good experience.
- Book a free demo on our website: museum-guide.com
- Choose your museum's colour and generate a QR code
- Test the solution with your own content
- Make an informed decision
It takes under 5 minutes, and you commit to nothing.
Read more guides on museum operations and technology at museum-guide.com/en/blog
About the author: Thøger Elung-Jensen is co-founder of Audioguiden and works to help museums use AI to take their interpretation to more people.