The Kokuyo Design Award 2027, themed “dialogue.” has been announced!
This time the Award focuses on the reciprocal relationships that lie behind excellent design, specifically between “the people who create objects, and the users,” “the users and the objects,” and “the objects and their surrounding environment”. Kokuyo are seeking designs that explore unknown ideas and insights within this new “space” and expand the possibilities of living, learning, and working.
The best design will be awarded with ¥2,000,000 — about $13,000. Three Merit awards of ¥500,000 each, will also be selected, along with up to 10 winners for the New Generation Award — awarded with ¥30,000 each.
Details about the theme are available on the official website.
Between those who create an object and those who use it;
between the user and the object;
or between an object and its surrounding environment.
Behind every excellent design lies a two-way relationship.
When we reexamine the relationships surrounding an object,
the creator’s care and the user’s imagination resonate with one another.
Seek out hidden possibilities and fresh insight
in the new “maai” —the space between— that emerges from this exchange.
Taking “dialogue” as your starting point,
expand the possibilities in how we live, learn, and work.
We look forward to the design that emerges from you.
The New Generation Award is selected by Kokuyo from all submitted works by students (elementary school to graduate students), with the hope that they will achieve great things in the future.
Submissions must be the original work of the entrant. Submissions cannot have been made public (in Japan or overseas) before or concurrent to this contest.
The judges will focus on the following points:
- The idea is inspired by your unique perspective.
- The idea engages with a social issue.
- The idea has potential for real-world production.
Please visit the official website for further details.
No Entry Fee!
It's free to enter.