KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2021

THEME : POST - NORMAL The world became new while we were totally unprepared for it. Before we are given time to think carefully about things, what we like, dislike, agree with, disagree with, our once - familiar everyday life continues to change. So we try to catch up with the changes, and in our rush many ideas spring up and disappear. What’s important in product design now is to try to face the things around us anew. To take a deep look at the value of continuing to be lastingly and broadly loved. To end not only with an idea, but to think through every detail, to be persistent, and give shape to a product

The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARDS are an international competition for user-centric product design, where the best of the best are actually put on the consumer market. Last year, we received a total of 1,377 entries from product designers in more than 54 countries. Past award winners have included hit products like the Kadokeshi eraser, Nameless Paints, and the True Measure ruler. We are looking for any and all ideas to turn into actual products. Be sure to submit your design for the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARDS 2021.

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

PRIZES 
Grand Prix (one winner) ¥2,000,000 (about $18,000)
Merit Award (three winners) ¥500,000 (about $4,500) per winner

JUDGES 
Ryosuke Uehara CEO, Art Director, & Creative Director of KIGI Co.,Ltd. 
Masashi Kawamura Creative Director & Chief Creative Officer of Whatever Inc. 
Tsuyoshi Tane Founder of Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects / Architect 
Teruhiro Yanagihara Designer Yoshie Watanabe Art Director & Designer at KIGI Co.,Ltd. 
Hidekuni Kuroda KOKUYO Co., Ltd. President and CEO

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 make a presentation at the final judging in Tokyo. ( March 13, 2021)

SCHEDULE 
1 REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION August 21 ( Fri ) to 12:00 ( noon) JST on October 19 ( Mon), 2020 
2 First Round of Judging Late November 2020 Judgement based on the presentation sheet. 
3 Notification of First Round Results Mid to Late December 2020 
4 Final Judging and Ceremony (Announcement of the Winners) March13, 2021 (tentative) Judgement based on a presentation featuring the presentation sheet and design prototype.

https://www.kokuyo.com/en/award/