Millions of food photos have been captured at restaurants and shared with social media and Belgian mineral water brand Bru created a special set of 'Social Plates' specifically for those who love to Instagram their meals. The Social Plates are designed with complicated patterns that are not only aesthetically pleasing but fully functional as QR codes. As such, when a diner snaps a photo of their meal, a phone's built-in QR code reader automatically brings up a notification that says: "Nice Photo! But don’t forget to enjoy your dining companions as well."
As many people are fixated on taking the perfect image for social media and often ignore the good company they have around them, the Social Plates encourage people to live in the moment.
QR Code Dinner Plates
Bru's Social Plates Remind Diners to Interact with Their Companions
Trend Themes
1. Social Media Food Photography - Opportunity for brands to create products or experiences that enhance the social media food photography trend while reminding people to engage with their companions.
2. Interactive Dining Experiences - Creating interactive dining experiences through technology like QR codes on dinner plates to capture people's attention and encourage social interaction.
3. Combining Design and Functionality - Integrating design elements that serve a functional purpose, such as QR codes on dinner plates, to enhance the dining experience and promote mindful behavior.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Opportunity for restaurants and food brands to incorporate QR codes or other interactive elements into their dining experiences to engage customers and promote social interaction.
2. Social Media Marketing - Opportunity for marketers to develop strategies and products that cater to the growing trend of social media food photography, while also promoting meaningful connections and experiences.
3. Product Design - Opportunity for designers to explore the integration of design and functionality, creating innovative products like dinner plates with QR codes that serve a dual purpose and enhance user engagement.