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Kokuyo Design Awards 2018 – Beyond Boundaries

With the intention to discover and recognize functional product designs from around the world, Kokuyo is calling for entries for its Design Awards competition for 2018 — themed: Beyond Boundaries.

The target designs that the organizers want to receive are for stationery, furniture and all items generally used in working, learning and living scenes.

This year’s best design will be awarded with 2,000,000 Japanese yen — more than $18,000. Three Merit awards of 500,000 Japanese yen each, will also be announced and special prizes may as well be awarded.

More details about the theme for 2018 are available on the official website:

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?

Let’s cross the boundaries. To make yourself more you. To create more freedom in society. Let’s come up with some bold ideas to overcome these walls and discover what lies beyond.

Corporations, organizations, individuals, and group are all welcome to enter, regardless of age, sex, professional background, or nationality.

Last year, the competition received a total of 1,326 entries from product designers in more than 53 countries, including Japan.