The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2027 is an international product design competition organised by KOKUYO Co., Ltd. that invites innovative ideas for stationery, furniture, and tools used in living, learning, and working. Established to discover emerging talent from around the world, the award promotes collaboration between designers and KOKUYO while encouraging ideas with the potential for real-world production.
The 2027 theme is “dialogue”, inviting participants to explore the relationships between creators and users, users and objects, and objects and their surrounding environments. Entrants are encouraged to uncover new possibilities through these interactions and propose designs that expand the way people live, learn, and work.
Entries are evaluated on their interpretation of the theme, engagement with social issues, and potential for commercial production. Finalists present their concepts before an international jury, and selected winning designs may be considered for product development through collaboration with KOKUYO.
Entry fee: Free to enter.
Eligibility
Open to individuals, groups, companies, and organisations worldwide of any age, nationality, occupation, or gender whose original, previously unpublished design for stationery, furniture, or tools has never been publicly shown, and who can present at the final judging (online or in person) and agree to the competition rules.
Prize
One Grand Prix winner receives ¥2,000,000, three Merit Award winners each receive ¥500,000, and up to ten student entrants (from elementary school through graduate school) receive the NEW GENERATION AWARD of ¥30,000 each. Winning works may also be considered for commercialisation through collaboration with KOKUYO, although commercial development is not guaranteed.
