# Costly Coffee Cups Colin O'Dowd Makes the Bar Code the Center of Design with the BEEP Mug By Jessica Marcel | Published 2010-01-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beep-mug References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/beep-mug-by-colin-odowd/) & [colinodowd](http://www.colinodowd.com/beep.htm) Based on the statement on the bottom of the BEEP Mug, designer Colin O’Dowd seems to think that the bar code has been highly undervalued by designers. I can’t say I agree with him. If anything, bar codes have become way too prevalent in our daily lives. The design of the BEEP Mug is, however, unusually interesting. A bar code wraps around the mug instead of just being a small addition to an otherwise complete design, and it also has the functionality of a real bar code--you can scan it on any [bar code reader](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelmug). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Bar Code Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore ways to incorporate bar codes into product design to add functionality and aesthetic appeal. - **Functional Packaging:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop packaging designs that serve a dual purpose, such as offering additional functionality like a bar code. - **Interactive Product Packaging:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create packaging that engages and interacts with consumers, such as through scannable bar codes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Product Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Redefine how products are designed by incorporating bar codes in unique and creative ways. - **Packaging Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform traditional packaging design by integrating features like functional bar codes. - **Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Enhance the retail experience by incorporating interactive packaging with scannable bar codes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ergonomically Designed Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ergonomically-designed-mug.md) - [Handle-Free Coffee Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pinch-hold.md) - [Desk Thermo Tumblers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alessi-buri-tumbler.md) - [Bean-Shaped Coffee Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bean-coffee-machine.md) - [Curvaceously Ergonomic Tumblers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porcelain-tumbler.md) - [Algorithmic Ceramic Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/texture-ware.md) - [Card-Labeled Coffee Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blueprint-coffee.md) - [$1,000 Coffee Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expensive-coffee.md) - [Minimalist One-Button Coffee Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muuto-coffee-maker.md)