Codeboxx

The story of how I helped Codeboxx distinguish itself from its competitors.

Codeboxx is a Welsh business that supplies specialist printing equipment to the food, packaging, and pharmaceutical industries. With their launch approaching, they gave me free rein over their brand, messaging, visual identity, and website design.

Redefining Codeboxx messaging

Before I started on the visuals, I wanted to address the messages the company wanted to communicate. Most companies in their industry sound the same. They talk about products, specifications, and inventory. That is technically correct, but sounds weak, so I proposed a different approach.

Instead of describing what Codeboxx sells, I focused on what Codeboxx does for its customers. It does not simply supply printers, ribbons, and printheads. It helps keep production lines running. When a line stops, the cost is immediate. That led to a clearer position and a stronger idea: "Keeping production moving."

The art of QR-codes

The company supplies products which keep production lines running. If there’s a break in supply, those lines could stop. “Knowing what customers will need and when is an art,” they told me. That gave me the idea to recreate famous works of art from QR codes.

I made a series of artworks—including the Mona Lisa, Munch’s The Scream, and several by Vincent Van Gogh—by creating a set of QR code textures with different densities from light to dark. Then, I placed these shaders over reproductions of the paintings.

I hadn’t initially intended my QR code artwork to be used offline, but we decided to turn four of the pieces into a set of postcards, which Codeboxx can include in their deliveries.

Refining the Codeboxx logomark

The recently commissioned Codeboxx logomark featured an ill-fitting QR code at its centre, which felt disconnected from the rest of the design. Keeping the spirit of the original design, I refined the mark by simplifying its shape and better integrating the QR code at its centre.

Avoiding generic product images

Product images from this industry are, well, dull. Even the manufacturers’ own product shots look dreadful. So, instead of showing dozens of printheads and ribbons that all look identical, I made animated graphics that represent each product category.

So I replaced product images with a literal “code in a box” graphic that opens when a product is selected.

Now, when someone selects a product, its box opens, and the contact form is populated with the item number.

Really pleased to have worked with Andy and to now stand out in our industry with a fresh and unique website. If you want something bold and different I highly would recommend Stuff & Nonsense.

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