KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2023

Not only does it remove boundaries, it also tells a poetic story through its resemblance of the Sahara Desert, and makes for a beautiful product. In the final judging, there was no denying how much fun it was to use the prototype. It was a convincing Grand Prix that achieved a high level in everything from sticking to the theme, to the execution and great design craftsmanship.

When I saw the prototype in the final judging, I felt inspired to use it. When I actually got the chance to, I thought, “Where does color come from?” Colors became static in the process of industrialization, and all the colors in between them were never taught about. However, once this work is commercialized, there’ll be more ways to use colors than ever, and the way the world is colored may even change. It reminded me of the basics and possibilities of design and of the role that designers have in changing the world.

I believe design is something that sparks curiosity and imagination. In these kinds of competitions, discussions between the sides that are judging and being judged tend to get serious, but this work reminded me that the aspect of “fun” is essential for design, even when there’s a difficult theme. On the other hand, the use of plastic materials has been decreasing with recent trends, so I’d like you to consider potentially using different materials.

There are some people who may feel negatively about colors mixing on their palette. With the concept that mixing colors on a palette is fun, this work creates an opportunity for a wide variety of people to enjoy painting. When I used it myself, it was fun and simple. A big reason why it won the Grand Prix was because the near-product-level prototype that was prepared for the judges to actually try out for themselves captured their attention. I’d also like to commend that a student made this proposal.

Naturally, it should be fun to mix and make new colors. This work expresses the desire for change to products with unfortunate restrictions in a very simple way. There were other works with great stories in the initial judging. However, as soon as the judges got their hands on this prototype in the final judging, this work jumped straight to the top. I think that’s the power of product design. I was glad I could also feel a connection with the key visual that I happened to oversee.

Changes are taking place in the field of stationery, especially in the “learning” scene, and educating on valuing individuality is attracting attention. This is a wonderful work that helps grow the individuality of the people that use it, rather than searching for a predetermined correct answer, and it’s exactly in line with what KOKUYO is trying to tackle. The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD aims to expand the potential of young designers, so it was a delight to have a student win the Grand Prix this time.

This perspective is also very useful when thinking about other products. That being said, the drastic changes made after the initial judging caused some contradictions with the original concept, which I thought was a shame. I’d like you to reconsider them for commercialization.

I didn’t notice in the initial judging, but when I held the prototype in the final round, I felt a fascinating sensation as though I was holding a tool from the Stone Age. I was convinced when I heard the creator made it himself. The challenge moving forward is how to ensure product quality when it’s out of the creator’s hands. I hope you’ll achieve not only its beauty and refinement, but also the feeling that excites you the moment you hold it in your hand and urging you to use it.

It’s a very poetic work with lovely visuals, like its expression of color. However, it seems like there are points that need to be improved in terms of durability and design, such as the thin part of the prototype breaking, probably because the “pencil” shape was pulled in the changes between the initial and final judging.

Compared to fallen leaves, the perspective that “this isn’t a mess at all, but something beautiful” was really great. In the final judging, I felt there was a gap between the presentation and the prototype, but when I actually used it, I recognized the potential of organic shapes and the fun that can be had with drawing freely. When it comes to commercialization, in addition to durability problems, I wonder if there’ll be an issue with the product losing its charm as it gets used.

I thought it was lovely to find that beautiful fallen leaves could become a new regular sight. Even though the prototype changed quite a bit from the first version, I think the judges were really impressed with how enthusiastic the creator was while working on the project. This project really packs the fun of design and makes you want to support it, so I want you to keep your target audience in mind as you move on with commercialization.

It’s risky to have such drastic changes between judging rounds. However, I think this bold change of course may have been a good one. Not only is it beautiful as a work, but even the moments it’s not being used were considered in the design. I think it would be a good idea to work out the details a bit more on who this for and what kind of scenarios it’ll be used in.

However, while looking at the prototype and actually turning the pages in the final judging, I realized the meaning and psychological effect of the gradation of the notebook’s borders disappearing and judged it on these fine details.

In the midst of the intense debates in our deliberations, this work came out of nowhere. I wanted to discover the potential of notebook design. The creator’s words in his presentation at the final judging, “waves are washing and retreating from the shore,” left an impression on me. When I used this notebook, various thoughts and creative ideas came to mind. He even dared to use the theme as the title of the work.

The disappearance of the regular lines gives a feeling of liberation from the expectations and restraints of an unknown future. The fact that they gently disappear is fitting for the current era, and it truly can be called a notebook of “embrace.” When it comes to commercializing, I want you to think about how to convey your intentions as the creator to customers. It will be important to communicate the delicate design, including the packaging, so someone doesn’t mistake it for a printing mistake.

While minimalistic proposals have been presented in design competitions, this work boldly took on that challenge. I felt this approach came from a very Japanese way of thinking, so it made sense when I heard the creator studied in Japan. Currently, there’s only one volume of borders and margins, but there’s potential for the perfect volume and proportions unique to this notebook. I also think it’s possible to some variety for a series.

In the initial judging, I couldn’t see how gradation would affect the actual function. When I saw the prototype in the final judging, I had a kind of writing premonition that compels the user to think differently. I really think this gradation influences our mentality. I think there are other ways to bring out premonitions besides lines and margins, so it might be interesting to think about expanding on that.

KOKUYO was pleased to have an award-winning notebook. I have no idea what to write on a page that’s pure white, but since only half of it is guided and has gradation, I can write differently than I could with other notebooks I’ve used till now. I hope to connect this unprecedented concept to what KOKUYO is offering as new value.