# Funky Barcodes D-Barcode Spices Up Packaging By lourdes sanchez bayas | Published 2006-12-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funky-barcodes-spice-up-packaging-ii References: [darkroastedblend](http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/04/japanese-creative-barcodes.html) Who knew that barcodes could be so much fun? Barcodes are the [machine-readable representation of information](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iqrcode) most of us are familiar with. A Japanese firm named D-Barcode has been "decorating" these codes and their products are now used all over Japan. Great, fun concept. **Implications** - [Packaging has to be innovative](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cooper-street-snacks) in order to stand out from the crowd. By reworking with simple concepts, brands can add unique details that other brands have yet to use. Ideas such as [funky barcodes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-corn) add a playful piece to a mundane, bland part of a package. Consumers notice small details, which helps bring focus to a particular product when the time comes to shop for products. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Decorated Barcodes:** Barcodes are being decorated to add unique details to packaging. - **Innovative Packaging:** Packaging has to be innovative to stand out from other brands. - **Consumer Attention to Detail:** Consumers notice small details, making playful additions to packaging a way to focus on a particular product. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Packaging Industry:** Barcodes are giving packaging companies new opportunities to innovate and add unique touches. - **Retail Industry:** Funky barcodes can help products stand out and gain more attention from consumers while shopping. - **Marketing Industry:** The addition of playful details such as decorated barcodes can provide marketing teams with new ways to attract and retain customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Packaging Content](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartlinks.md) - [Scannable Hot Sauce Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buldak-hot-sauce-packaging.md) - [Interactive Connected Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nteractive-connected-packaging-experience.md) - [Interactive Juice Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gulf-union-foods.md) - [Expressive Beer Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buqui-bichi-brewery.md) - [Edible QR Codes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interiqr.md) - [Personality-Inspired Drink Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-packaging-experience.md) - [Striking E-Commerce Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maksim-arbuzov.md) - [Interactive Juice Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mega-back-to-school.md)