Kokuyo Design Award 2027: Dialogue

Overview

The Kokuyo Design Award 2027, themed "dialogue," focuses on the reciprocal relationships inherent in excellent design. This includes the interactions between creators and users, users and objects, and objects and their surrounding environments. The competition seeks designs that explore these relationships, uncovering unknown ideas and insights within the "space between" these exchanges. Participants are encouraged to expand the possibilities of how people live, learn, and work through their innovative designs. Kokuyo is looking for submissions that demonstrate a unique perspective and engage with social issues. Designs should also show potential for real-world production, aligning with Kokuyo's goal to co-create with talented designers and support their activities by potentially bringing winning designs to market. This international design award aims to discover and celebrate product designs that foster meaningful "dialogue" in various forms. It's an opportunity for designers to rethink the connections surrounding everyday objects and propose solutions that resonate deeply with both creators and users.

What to build

Participants must create original product designs that explore the theme of "dialogue." This involves reexamining relationships between creators and users, users and objects, or objects and their surrounding environment, to expand possibilities in living, learning, and working.

Prizes

Eligibility

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 New Generation Award is specifically for students (elementary school to graduate students).

Submission requirements

• Original work by the entrant
• Must not have been made public (in Japan or overseas) before or concurrent to this contest

Judging criteria

• The idea is inspired by your unique perspective.
• The idea engages with a social issue.
• The idea has potential for real-world production.

Sponsors & partners