Established in 2002, the KOKUYO Design Award competition is marking its 5th anniversary this year. While some award-winning ideas have achieved international recognition as commodity products, the competition invited over 1000 participants last year, becoming one of the fastest-growing competitions of its kind. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding, KOKUYO Co., Ltd. will be marking a significant milestone entering the next 100 years. KOKUYO Co.,Ltd. fundamentally strives to offer customer-oriented products, into which we integrate the voice of the customers. With the objective to help commercialize your ideas and dreams, we welcome you to the 5th KOKUYO Design Award competition.
"so", "su","moto"
The Kanji (Chinese character) "
" can be read as "so", "su" or "moto" as seen in combinations with other Kanjis like; "
(sugao)" for "being natural", "
(sude)" for "bare", "
(sozai)" for "origin", "
(soboku)" that means "simple", and others such as 
(soji), 
(sujyou), 
(genso) and 
(soko). These meanings embody our founding principles and remind us of our roots 100 years ago. We trust this one character -""- can be an inspiration to look back at the origin of design. When simply pursuing the genuine purpose of tools, you can then produce items that naturally blend into our daily lives and will be enjoyed for a long time by those who own them.
Take the AKARI Lamps designed by Isamu Noguchi for example. The lamps, that employ conventional Japanese washi-paper lantern craftsmanship into modern design, are seen in offices and homes around the world. How about paper clips, which are made out of one string of bent wire? Its simple, yet practical, structure offers fundamental functions to maximum effect. Plain paper also allows us to set our mind free like a blank canvas. Imagine how many innovative designs or discoveries had been generated from it.
All of these instances represent the "" of design. As long as the primary concept remains intact, your imagination can make giant leaps to be as creative as possible. That is because the Kanji also means "extremes" when used in the phrase like "
(subayai) - prompt". In today's changing times, we encourage you to get inspired and show us your interpretation of this theme.
The KOKUYO Design Award competition 2006 invites you to think design through the concept of "".
Any product used daily either at home or in the work place (stationery, furniture, household items, etc.)
Grand Prize: 2 million yen
Second Prize (4 winners):500,000 yen each
Special Prize (5 winners): 100,000 yen each
* Prize amounts are subject to income tax, and is the responsibility of the recipients
Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
Axis Design Magazine / The committee, Japanesque * Modern
This competition is open to all individuals, groups, businesses or organizations regardless of age, gender, occupation or nationality.
Entries must not have been previously released elsewhere.
Entry Period:April 1, 2006‐May 31, 2006Deadline：Works must be arrived between April 1 and June 30, 2006
(Works arrived after June 30 will be disqualified.)
Results Notification：Award winners will be notified at the end of November 2006. After an official announcement, the results will be posted on our website (http://www.kokuyo.co.jp/award/).
Unlimited.
Taku Satoh (Jury Chair, Graphic Designer)
Katsutoshi Ishibashi (Editor-in-Chief, Axis Design Magazine)
Shunji Yamanaka (Industrial Designer)
Tokujin Yoshioka (Designer)
Akihiro Kuroda (President, Kokuyo Co., Ltd.)
Each work will be judged in print format (A3-sized paper or data output), and may be accompanied by a model (optional).
You may be contacted by the judging committee with regards to your work.
Entries must:
1.have the potential for a future commercial product.
2.employ the genuine functions of the subject tools or products.
3.inspire new design concepts.
4.have the appeal of being customer-oriented and user-friendly.
5.lead to the development of future materials or technologies.
Complete the Work Submittal Form in full and sign. Then submit your work with the completed form. Keep a duplicate copy of the form for your reference. Shipping costs must be borne by the entrants.
Work Submittal Form (required)
Download and print a Work Submittal Form from this website. Complete the form in full and sign. Then submit your work with the form. Keep a duplicate copy of the form for your reference.
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You will need to install Acrobat Reader in order to view PDF files (4.0 or higher). If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from the Adobe Systems Inc. website. |
You must read the agreement and other conditions in the Work Submittal Form carefully, and sign. When submitting multiple works, registration is required only once. Please be sure, however, to attach a separate Work Submittal Form for each item of work submitted. Photocopies of the original form are acceptable.
A3-sized paper or data: (required)
Each work must contain the work's title, concept, an overall rendering, and three views (front view, plane view, and lateral view) on an A3-sized paper (portrait).
If necessary to add more design information or concepts, up to one additional paper (A3 size) may be used.
* Do not indicate personal data on the work
* For details concerning the submission of work in print format, refer to "Guidelines for Submission in Print Format", and for submission in digital format, refer to "Guidelines for Submission in Digital Format".
Model (optional)
Models must not exceed total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 100 cm. The weight of the model must not exceed 20 kg. Please submit models packed in sturdy boxes to prevent damage during storage. Models sent with postage due or collect are not accepted. Please contact the Award office beforehand if your model is larger than the designated size.
* Use the official label (photocopies accepted) to enter necessary information, and affix it to both the bottom of the model as well as the top of the box.
* When submitting multiple models, each model should be individually packed.
Paper Material and Size
* Any paper material is accepted.
* Your work must be submitted on A3 sized paper (w297 x h420mm - Portrait)
[How to Send]
* Send your original work (A3 sized paper) as well as a duplicate copy of the work (colored copies accepted). Works pasted on panels will not be accepted.
* Use the official label (photocopies accepted) to enter necessary information, and place the label on the bottom right corner of the back of your original work as well as the duplicate copy.
* Do not fold the paper.
Judging
All works will be judged in print format (A3 sized paper)
File Formats
PDF（.pdf）、JPEG（.jpg）
* Your data must be formatted not to exceed A3 size (w297 x h420mm - Portrait).
* The files can be freely named; however, extensions are required.
* Ensure that you attach output samples to all files submitted. (The samples should be reduced to smaller format).
* Works may be provided either in Macintosh or Windows format; no specific application software is specified.
* Please use an output resolution of 300 dpi.
* When submitting JPEG (.jpg) files, please use overall image sizes of roughly 3507 by 4960 pixels. Make sure that your work is generated at the highest image quality (i.e., with low compression) and provide bleed at the margins.
* Please ensure that color data is in CMYK mode. Work submitted in RGB color mode cannot be color-corrected when converting to CMYK mode.
How to Send
* Send your data on CD-R media via mail or courier services. Shipping costs must be borne by the entrants. We do not accept data sent by email.
* When submitting multiple works, each work must be individually saved on separate CD-Rs. You must attach a Work Submittal Form to each work.
* Print the title of your work, name and phone number directly onto the CD-R.
Judging
All works will be judged in CMYK output(A3 sized paper)
Kokuyo Design Award office
5-2-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Fax : +81-3-3836-7310
MAIL:award@mrk.kokuyo.co.jp
