Creative Discovery Challenge

The Creative Discovery Challenge is an open call looking to award future-thinking projects that make use of the theme of bricolage.

We are excited to announce the opening of a new award hosted by NISSAN and Loftwork. The Creative Discovery Challenge is looking to award future-thinking, innovative ideas and designs that have the potential to improve people’s lives. Submissions will be accepted between July 19, 2023, and October 2, 2023 and are asked to follow the theme of “bricolage,” where people use everyday objects to create something new. Using bricolage, this award wants applicants to leverage their own unique perspective to propose a new way to enhance everyday life.

The Creative Discovery Challenge is open to both large and small-scale projects as well as ideas in their early planning stages. Rather than a competition, this challenge hopes to instead unearth ideas that are based on “attainable technology” for the “attainable future” and create a collection of works that can serve as inspiration for future creators as well. A variety of ideas across different genres, including products, graphics, photography, videos, websites, service design, and more are welcome as submissions. 

*Bricolage refers to the process of “making do,” as coined by Lévi-Strauss. It is an artistic process that embodies notions of resourcefulness, assemblage, and DIY and focuses on creating something new and innovative out of whatever materials are at hand.

Application Platform:
https://awrd.com/en/award/cdc2023

Submission overview

Submission period: Wednesday, July 19, 2022 – Monday, October 2, 2023, 12:00 noon (Japan time)
*Judging period: Mid-October, 2023
*Results announced: Late October, 2023

Eligibility: Anyone can apply regardless of nationality, age, or gender. Entry is open to the public and can include individuals, groups, municipalities, startups and/or established companies. Working professionals as well as students are welcome to apply.

Cost of entry: Free

How to enter:
Submissions can be made via the AWRD platform website OR through Instagram.

1. Entries for awards submitted online using AWRD (“Award”) at http://awrd.com, a creators’ platform run by Loftwork Inc. Entrants will need to create their own AWRD user account (free of charge) to submit their entry.
2.  Entries for awards can also be submitted via Instagram Please see the official website https://awrd.com/en/award/cdc2023/tab/submissions for more details.

Evaluation Criteria

The objective of this open call is not to just recognize the most outstanding projects but rather to uncover forward-thinking ideas that are both attainable and that utilize accessible technology.  When evaluating the submissions, this award will consider the following criteria as well as each curator’s unique perspective derived from their respective area of expertise.

1. Inspirational

Unleash your creativity and inspire us with ideas that evoke a “wow” factor. Even in familiar technologies, there are untapped possibilities waiting to be uncovered.

2. Forward-looking　

We value forward-thinking and future-oriented ideas that are challenging and innovative.

3. Mix & Match　

We highly appreciate ideas that propose unique value through the combination of various technologies and materials, based on the concept of bricolage.

4. Thoughtful　

We value ideas that consider the needs of the intended recipient while enriching their everyday experience.

5. Resource-efficient　

We will assess projects that are realistic, make effective use of everyday materials and things, and can be started on as early as tomorrow.

Awards

General Award (4 Projects)

Prize money (30,000 yen) and a commemorative award
-Comments from the judges
- An announcement on social media

Next-generation Award (4 Projects)

- Prize money (30,000 yen) and a commemorative award
- Comments from the judges
- An announcement on social media

People's Choice Award (Several Projects)

- Commemorative award
- An announcement on social media

https://awrd.com/en/award/cdc2023