The

Kokuyo Design Award

is a competition to attract beautifully functional product designs, taking the best of the best to the actual consumer market, enhancing design as a value and supports the production of items loved by the user.

Theme for the

2018

edition is "

Beyond Boundaries

".

There are countless boundaries in this world. Countries. Languages. Culture. Gender. Age and class. All kinds of boundaries that used to make a distinction between "here" and "there" now either no longer play that role or are trying to change their definition in this diverse society. Working and living. Connections between people. Social status. Family structure. Every form of relationship changes each time these boundaries change.

What kind of tool nurtures, revives, and strengthens those relationships, and what kind of design will it be?

Entry eligibility is limited to those designs never before shown publicly (

in Japan and other countries

). Multiple submissions are allowed.

There is no entry fee

.

Eligibility

Open worldwide to any corporations, organizations, individuals and group (

up to two individuals for group entries

).

Prize

The best entry will be awarded with a Grand Prix of

2,000,000 Japanese Yen

(

approx. 18,190 USD

). Three Merit awards of

500,000 Japanese Yen

each (

approx. 4,545 USD

) will also be announced.

Prize-winning designs may be adapted to commercial products. Winners may be asked to participate in meetings to assess the commercial viability of their products.