KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024

KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD is an international competition for product design that aims to co-create with talented designers and support their activities.

The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024 will be the 21st competition, and this time, we’ll be calling for works based on the theme “primitive.”
“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.

—The main application guidelines for the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024

1. 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” 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.

2. Eligible entries:
Any stationery, furniture, or tool used in working, learning, and living scenes

3. Registration and submission:
July 28 (Fri) to noon JST on October 11 (Wed), 2023

4. 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 (Principal of TAKT PROJECT Inc. / Designer)
– Hidekuni Kuroda (President and CEO of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.)

5. Prizes:
– Grand Prix (one from all entries) ¥2,000,000 (about $14,200)
– Merit Award (three from all entries) ¥500,000 (about $3,500) per winner
– New Generation Award (Max ten winners) ¥30,000 (about $210) per winner*
* The New Generation Award is selected by KOKUYO Co., Ltd. from among all entries submitted by students (from elementary school to graduate school students) in the hope of their future success. We will select up to 10 outstanding entries that, based on their presentation sheets, make us “feel that their futures will be exciting” (without judging the models).

6. Judging criteria:
– The idea’s clarity
– The idea highlights social issues
– The design’s potential to become a product