Embracing Creativity: From Rubber Chicken QR Codes to Unconventional Brainstorming
There are days in our professional lives when we find ourselves inundated with back-to-back meetings, countless tasks, and the ever-mounting pressure to stay constantly connected. While it’s necessary to stay productive, I’ve learned that making this my default mode of operation is not always the most effective approach. Instead, I’ve discovered that taking occasional breaks and allowing myself time to clear my head can significantly boost my productivity and creativity.
Recently, during one of my brainstorming breaks, I stumbled upon an idea. It all started when I was examining a Chrome QR code, and you know the ones generated by Google – they always have that T-Rex in the center.
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind: “Does the T-Rex serve any real purpose for the QR code? What if I put something else in that space?”
In the next ten minutes, I managed to create a QR code featuring a rubber chicken instead of the T-Rex. It was a low-tech method, and the process is quite simple, as I’ll explain later.
This quirky idea brought a smile to my face, and I even decided to incorporate it into my keynotes. Now, whenever you attend one of my “Fry Your Chickens” keynotes, you’ll find the rubber chicken QR code gracing the screen.
However, that wasn’t the end of it. Soon after, another thought took root: “If I can put a rubber chicken in a QR code, why not put a QR code on a rubber chicken?”
As you can imagine, implementing this new idea required a bit more effort and an order from Amazon, but the results were utterly rewarding, as you can see in the picture above.
Now, let me walk you through the process of how I made the chicken QR code:
- I took a picture of my trusty rubber chicken, the inspiration behind this inventive endeavor.
- Using PowerPoint, I removed the background from the chicken image to isolate it effectively. (Picture format > Remove background)
- On a separate PowerPoint slide, I placed the Google QR code for my website and covered the T-Rex with a white box.
- I proudly inserted the rubber chicken into the white box, effectively replacing the T-Rex with my feathery friend. (Can I call a rubber chicken “feathery”?)
The entire process was surprisingly straightforward, and I couldn’t help but be impressed with my ability to transform the idea into reality using such an unimpressively non-technical approach.
And now, for the grand finale – here’s how I created the rubber chicken with the QR code:
- I downloaded Mac software compatible with my 10-year-old Brother P-touch label maker, a device that proved perfect for this project.
- After connecting the label maker to my computer via USB, I was ready to bring my idea to life.
- To ensure the QR code could be easily scanned by my iPhone, I opted for 3/4 inch clear label tape, a size that allowed for seamless readability. (This was the Amazon order part).
- I copied a basic QR code to the label print area using the software and clicked that magical “print” button.
- With the printed QR code label in hand, I gently adhered it to the rubber chicken, resulting in a quirky blend of modern technology and playful novelty.
If you come to one of my keynotes and you want a business card – you now have two options – traditional and rubber chicken. (This offer is good until I run out of traditional cards)
What I learned
This endeavor has reminded me of the importance of embracing creativity in our daily lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine of meetings and tasks, but by allowing ourselves moments of playfulness and exploration, we unlock the doors to innovation and fresh ideas.
Next time you find yourself caught in the whirlwind of work, consider taking a brief pause to let your imagination roam freely. Who knows, you might just stumble upon your very own rubber chicken QR code or an equally unconventional and delightful concept.
And that, my friends, is the power of creativity!
P.S. If you’d like to try this yourself or have any questions about the process, feel free to reach out. Let’s spark creativity together!