KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2024

But as you can see from the visuals of the presentation, the title and photos of the work can clearly tell what the artist wanted to do. The artist has a sense of speed in visualizing information, and I think that this was appreciated.

To be honest, as a judge, it took courage for me to select this work as Grand Prix. However, in light of the “primitive” theme, the moment I held this pencil, I found a power in this work that physically reminded me of what we had forgotten and what a design should materialize. From here, its possibilities are likely to expand further, such as the type of wood material, the length and thickness of the core, and with or without dyeing.

In the presentation at the final review, the artist could convey what he wanted to express most honestly. When making things, we see too many works where the story parts take on their own life and modeling does not follow, and the modeling does not follow, and the intention cannot be conveyed without reading the text, but the strength to tell the story itself remained in my heart. This is also a proposal that reflects a touch of the Japanese style in its work provided that the wood is shaved carefully and patiently.

If the theme was not “primitive”, this might have been rejected in the document examination. Anyone who sees the craft will find it easy to understand. When I used the prototype in the final review, I found it was easier to handle than I had imagined, and that was the deciding factor in my evaluation. This deserves Grand Prix as it fits for this theme to spread the charm of one-of-a-kind works. However, its commercialization will be a challenge in terms of manufacturability due to the large amount of materials.

It is a simple embodiment of a strong idea by a straightforward proposal; it does not need explanation. There are many things in the world that are standardized including pencils. In this stuff, however, we feel the concept of finding another look by seeing through the essence or “element of something”. I also liked that the artist spoke in honest words based on his own experience. However, it would be better to hear a little more about its values as it seems that it has a much wider range of values beyond a personal one.

While the idea of pencils has seemingly run out, this amusing work expresses the personal wish to “personalize it to your liking” by the artist in a clear and simple way. I was impressed by statement of one of KOKUYO staff who sharpened the sample pencil and said, “It’s a hard but very fun job.” I realized the valuable experiences by using hands and body is strongly connected to the theme of “primitive” this time.

While I felt this possibility, I also felt that it would be even better if he could examine the texture and color tone of porcelain by taking another step forward.

The quality of the prototype was high. I was impressed by the concept based on the human beings’ history of writing letters to convey their presence. But my passion faded at the moment it was replaced by the convenience of the preconceived concept of a whiteboard. It would have been better if the connection with the theme was designed more purely.

The balance between functionality and sensibility is good, and it makes me want to touch it unconsciously, and feel excited to write something. On the other hand, it is meaningless without a pen, just like an ordinary whiteboard. But the relationship between a pen and the porcelain as a set is not good enough. I wish this would be brushed up before its commercialization.

I think this work redefines the act of taking notes in an easy-to-understand way, with a simple shape directly linked to the theme of “primitive” at this event. The appearance and integrity of the prototype were also high, and I felt the possibility of commercialization in the future.

It was so good that when I saw the prototype, I thought it was a home run. The inspiration for the idea came from a whiteboard, but the artist thought carefully about the materiality that things wear, and I felt a re-examination of the fundamental raison d’etre of the product as an existing thing.

A work that responds well to the theme. In an age of information overflowing, it is an interesting proposal to prioritize and write down only what is necessary. I also felt the enthusiasm of the artist, who wanted to provide something new that did not exist in the world, so I would like to make it a reality if possible.

The judges from various fields, such as architecture and product design, gave interesting perspectives and opinions, and personally, I learned a lot in the review.

By using the prototype, I could feel the artist’s thoughts. It enhances our imagination with the feeling of changing seasons and the unstoppable flow of time. However, there is a lack of attention to the technique and details. Better design brings strength beyond ideas. I wish the artist could convey his passion and commitment to things.

The idea of containing the seasonal changes and connections in a single line is attractive. If you keep using it throughout the year, such as your own diary or an exchange diary with someone else, you will visualize a series of beautiful changes. For its commercialization, I would like the artist to think about how to visually express and communicate the beauty of how the colors connect with each other.

At the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD, I was expecting works that could contain various backgrounds in one thing, so this work was perfect for the theme, and I personally wanted it. Just like sending a flower to a person, it gives value to each one as a gift to give a story.

I liked the point of view that took up the moment to notice a small change in our busy daily life. “Transience” is something that can suddenly be felt in a moment. Whether that delicate moment is born or not depends on delicate integrity of the product. I hope that the artist will continue to verify it and finish it as a product.

By listening to the artist’s thoughts in her presentation at the final screening and actually using the prototype, I was able to feel the emotional and poetic story somewhere deep in the work. This is the work that received recognition of the judges very rapidly at the final session.

I think it would be better if the artists are conscious of conveying the message instantaneously, including the package design.

I paid attention to this from the first round. It seems like there was an attempt to “design memories”, and I recommended it during the judging process. However, I wanted the artists to show their commitment to things as designers such as quality, materials, adhesion, durability of the prototype.

I did not evaluate it in the first screening because I felt it was short in functionality, but in the final screening, I myself evaluated it higher from a practical manufacturing perspective, and it made me regret not hearing the whisper of delicate sensibility. However, as the prototype, I wanted the artists to brush up the poetic part and examine the form or function in depth.

The good points of this work were difficult to find on the presentation form alone at the primary screening and it could be rejected and by overlooking them. In the final review, the judges focused on important points while imagining the act of reading a book and putting sticky notes on it. Then, its evaluation rose at the final stage.

When you put sticky notes on a page of a book, it can magnify the printed letters through a lens, and it is interesting because it has the effect of presenting three-dimensional information. In the final review, regrettably, there was only one prototype shown, so it would be nice if we could see what it would look like if you were to attach more sticky notes.

It was a controversial work. Although its concept is attractive, we did not hear fully about functionality and packaging, and whether it would really be realized as a product design. If all these had been verified, this could have been subject to Grand Prix. It has hidden potential, and I look forward to its future.