KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025

The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD is an international competition that aims to co-create with talented designers and support their activities. For 2025, the competition is seeking entries under the theme of “prototype.”

Theme: Prototype

In product design, “prototype” typically refers to a pre-finished product or sample. However, for the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025, a prototype is viewed as an original idea that has the potential to lead to the next step. A well-thought-out prototype can inspire others and serve as a catalyst for the future. This competition seeks product designs that will be the starting point for the future.

New Generation Award

In addition to the main awards, the “NEW GENERATION AWARD” will be given, encouraging unique ideas and challenges that are not bound by existing concepts. This award is open only to student applicants, with the expectation of their future success.

Application Guidelines

1. Theme: Prototype
   • Prototyping is about designing an original idea into a form with the potential to lead to the next step. The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 seeks designs that point the way to the future and serve as catalysts.
2. Eligible Entries:
   • Any stationery, furniture, or tool used in working, learning, and living scenes.
3. Registration and Submission:
   • Open from July 26 (Fri) to 12:00 (noon) JST on October 9 (Wed), 2024.
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. / Creative Director and Designer)
   • Satoshi Yoshiizumi (Founder of TAKT PROJECT Inc. / Designer)
   • Hidekuni Kuroda (President of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.)
5. Prizes:
   • Grand Prix (one from all entries): ¥2,000,000 (about $12,800)
   • Merit Award (three from all entries): ¥500,000 (about $3,200) per winner
   • NEW GENERATION AWARD (max ten winners): ¥30,000 (about $200) per winner
6. Judging Criteria:
   • The clarity of the idea.
   • The idea’s relevance to social issues.
   • The design’s potential to become a product.
7. Award Announcements:
   • March 22, 2025 [tentative]

The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 is an opportunity to showcase your innovative ideas and contribute to the future of product design. Submit your entries and be part of a global community that values creativity and forward-thinking design.

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