KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2026

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

It all begins with someone's experience. There are things you can understand—and social issues you can perceive—precisely because of who you are. When you create a design by examining an idea born from your unique, lived experience from various angles and digging deeper, it can spread through society by rippling outward and resonating with others. What we seek to discover this year is the "future standard" born through that kind of spirit. A design that emerges from the micro self toward the macro society. We look forward to the ripple your unique stone might create.

THEME: HAMON

ELIGIBLE ENTRIES: Any stationery, furniture or tool used in working, learning and living scenes

ELIGIBILITY: Corporations organizations, individuals, and groups are all welcome, regardless of age, sex, professional background, or nationality.
Only designs that have never before been shown publicly (in Japan or other countries) are eligible for entry.
Entrants must be able to give a presentation at the final judging that’s scheduled for March 14, 2026.

PRIZES:

• Grand Prix (one winner) ¥2,000,000 (about $14,000)
• Merit Award (three winners) ¥500,000 (about $3,500) per winner
• NEW GENERATION AWARD (max ten winners) \30,000 (about $210) per winner*

*About NEW GENERATION AWARD This award is selected by KOKUYO Co., Ltd. from among all entries submitted by students (from elementary school to graduate school students) in the hope for 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).

More: kokuyo.com/en/award/