NEWS
The theme for the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2026 has been decided.
Entries will be accepted from July 25 (Fri.).
The theme for the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2026 is “HAMON —Design that Resonates.”
This theme focuses on the power of design, where an idea born from one person's real experiences can resonate with others, creating a chain of resonance and spreading throughout society. By digging deeper into ideas born from personal experiences and examining them from various angles, we envision the standards of the future. We look forward to the ripple your unique stone might create.
“Any stationery, furniture or tool used in working, learning and living scenes” is eligible to be entered. The judges will focus on the following points: “The idea's clarity,” “The idea highlights social issues,” and “The design's potential to become a product.”
In addition, the “NEW GENERATION Award” will be given just as last year. The NEW GENERATION Award encourages unique ideas and challenges that are not bound by existing concepts, and is open only to student applicants with the expectation of future success. Associating with KOKUYO's purpose, “Bringing you a tomorrow you can't wait for,” we will select up to 10 outstanding entries with appealing ideas and viewpoints as proposals that make us "feel that their futures will be exciting." We hope this will encourage the young generation who will lead the next age to challenge themselves.
Note: The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2026 entry guidelines will be posted on the website on July 25 (Fri.). Please note that all entry guidelines currently listed on the entry guidelines page and in some other areas are from last year.
Main application guidelines for KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2026
1. Theme: HAMON Design that Resonates
It all begins with someone's experience.
There are things you can understand—and social issues you can perceive—precisely because of who you are.
When you create a design by examining an idea born from your unique, lived experience from various angles and digging deeper, it can spread through society by rippling outward and resonating with others.
What we seek to discover this year is the "future standard" born through that kind of spirit.
A design that emerges from the micro self toward the macro society.
We look forward to the ripple your unique stone might create.
2. Eligible Entries
Any stationery, furniture or tool used in working, learning and living scenes
3. Registration & Submission
July 25 (Fri) – October 8 (Wed), 2025
4. Judges
Shogo Kishino
(Representative of 6D-K / Art Director and Graphic Designer)
Nao Tamura
(Designer)
Kunihiko Morinaga
(ANREALAGE / Designer)
Teruhiro Yanagihara
(TERUHIRO YANAGIHARA STUDIO / Designer)
Satoshi Yoshiizumi
(Founder of TAKT PROJECT Inc. / Designer)
Hidekuni Kuroda
(Representative Corporate Officer and President of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.)
5. Prizes
| Grand Prix (one winner) |
¥2,000,000 (about $14,000) |
|---|---|
| Merit Award (three winners) |
¥500,000 (about $3,500) per winner |
| NEW GENERATION Award (max ten winners) |
¥30,000 (about $210) per winner |
*Prize money will be paid net of withholding tax, surtax for reconstruction funding, and other applicable deductions.
*The prize money will be paid in Japanese yen.
*Not all Prizes may be awarded for all categories if there is no winner selected.
6. Judging Points
・The idea must be born from your own unique perspective.
・The work should demonstrate engagement with a social issue.
・The design's potential to become a product
7. Announcement of the Winners
March 14 (Sat), 2026 (tentative)
Entries and design submissions will be accepted from July 25 (Fri.), 2025.
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