Entries for the "KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024" international competition will be accepted from July 28.
KOKUYO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka/President: Hidekuni Kuroda) announces the "KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024," an international product design competition aimed at supporting and co-creating with talented designers. Entries will be accepted from July 28.
Established by KOKUYO in 2002, the "KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD" is one of the oldest product design competitions in Japan.
Since its establishment, excellent product designs have been selected from entries that represent current social conditions, and award-winning works have been turned into commercial products through co-creation between KOKUYO developers and the award winners. By delivering designs to the world that breathe new life into the tools we regularly use in our daily lives and at work as reliable products, KOKUYO aims to support the future activities of designers and at the same time, bring you a tomorrow you can't wait for.
KOKUYO is looking for entries that fit the "primitive" theme set for the "KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024." "primitive" is usually used to describe something close to nature and in its "original state," or something "basic" before it is refined. This time, however, KOKUYO wants to see entries that interpret it as "redefining the essence of something" and present a product design that will replace that essence for years to come.
Shogo Kishino (Representative of 6D-K / Art Director and Graphic Designer) will be invited to participate as the sixth judge alongside the other five judges, Tsuyoshi Tane (Architect), Nao Tamura (Designer), Teruhiro Yanagihara (Designer), Satoshi Yoshiizumi (Designer), and Hidekuni Kuroda (President and CEO of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.).
Student entrants will also be eligible for the New Generation Award, established exclusively for them, to encourage coming up with unique ideas and challenging oneself unbound by conventional thinking with anticipation for success in what they do in the future. KOKUYO's Purpose is, "Bringing you a tomorrow you can't wait for." We will select up to 10 outstanding entries that, based on their presentation sheets, make us "feel that their futures will be exciting."
■ Main application guidelines for KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024
- Theme: primitive
What do you picture upon hearing the word "primitive"?
Is it the "original" state, close to nature, the bare form before it is polished, refined, or developed? Or the "primordial" state, which predates artificial touches?
For this year's KOKUYO DESIGN AWARDS, we interpreted "primitive" as "redefined essence."
If we return to the idea of "primitive" in order to create the future, what form of evolution can we imagine?
When we take a fresh look at our familiar materials, we may discover the possibility of further development.
By utilizing your unique perspectives and creativity, we can explore the "primitive" in each of us.
We invite you to show us the "essence" of the future." - Eligible Entries :
Any stationery, furniture or tool used in working, learning and living scenes - Registration & Submission :
July 28 (Fri) - October 11 (Wed), 2023 - Judges
Shogo Kishino (Representative of 6D-K / Art Director and Graphic Designer)
Tsuyoshi Tane (Founder of Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects / Architect)
Nao Tamura (Designer)
Teruhiro Yanagihara (TERUHIRO YANAGIHARA STUDIO. CO LTD. / Designer)
Satoshi Yoshiizumi (Founder of TAKT PROJECT Inc. / Designer)
Hidekuni Kuroda (President and CEO of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) - Prizes
Grand Prix (one winner): ¥2,000,000
Merit Award (three winners): ¥500,000 per winner
New Generation Award: Up to 10 winners (¥30,000 per winner)
*Prize money will be paid net of withholding tax, surtax for reconstruction funding, and other applicable deductions.
*Not all Prizes may be awarded for all categories if there is no winner selected. - Judging Points
The idea's clarity
The idea highlights social issues
The design's potential to become a product - Announcement of the Winners :
March 16 (Sat), 2024 (tentative)
Detailed entry guidelines will be released via the KOKUYO website below on July 28, 2023 (Friday).
https://www.kokuyo.com/en/award/
In addition to updating the website, etc., information will also be shared via the following social media.
Facebook (Japanese/English)
Instagram (Japanese/English)
Twitter (Japanese)
YouTube (Japanese/English)
