Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 10/7/2026
In short
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2027 is seeking designs for stationery, furniture, or tools that explore the theme of "dialogue." Submissions are due by October 7, 2026, with a Grand Prix of ¥2,000,000. There are also Merit Awards and a NEW GENERATION AWARD for students.
KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2027
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 10/7/202621 days left
¥2,000,000 Grand Prix
Grand Prize
International design competition
Focus
Theme: "dialogue"
Theme
Open to stationery, furniture, and tools
Eligible Submissions
Overview
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2027 is an international competition focused on innovative design in stationery, furniture, and tools for working, learning, and living. The central theme for this cycle is "dialogue," which encourages designers to consider the reciprocal relationships between creators and users, users and objects, and objects and their environment. The competition seeks designs that uncover new ideas and insights within these interactions, thereby expanding the possibilities of daily life. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of six judges, including product designer Gen Suzuki and KOKUYO Co., Ltd. President Hidekuni Kuroda. The judging criteria emphasize how well an idea reflects the theme, its engagement with social issues, and its potential for real-world production. This focus ensures that selected designs are not only creative but also practical and impactful. In addition to the main awards, the competition features the NEW GENERATION AWARD, specifically for students from elementary to graduate levels. This award aims to foster future talent by recognizing up to ten excellent designs that spark curiosity and evoke a sense of an "exciting future," based solely on presentation sheets without a model review. KOKUYO highlights curiosity as essential for enriching life and seeks designs that embody this principle. Participants are invited to submit their designs, with the final deadline for entries and submissions set for October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon Japan Standard Time. The competition offers significant monetary prizes, including a Grand Prix of ¥2,000,000, along with opportunities for recognition and exposure within the design community.
What to build
Any stationery, furniture or tool used in working, learning and living scenes, reflecting the theme "dialogue."
Prizes
Grand Prix
One winner from all entries
¥2,000,000
Merit Award
Three winners from all entries, per winner
¥500,000
NEW GENERATION AWARD
Maximum ten winners from all student entries, per winner
¥30,000
Key dates
- Submission start date2026-07-24
- Registration deadline2026-10-07
- Entry and design submission deadline2026-10-07
Judging criteria
- The idea reflects an interpretation of the theme.
- The idea engages with a social issue.
- The idea has potential for real-world production.