The GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023 has commenced! New possibilities starting from the application

The “GOOD DESIGN REPORT” is a column series in which the “journal” editorial department delivers the GOOD DESIGN AWARD in the “now” through coverage of award events and the screening process!

In the first column, we will report the kickoff event held on the day applications opened, as well as an overview of the 2023 GOOD DESIGN AWARD, which will be open for applications until 13:00 on Wednesday, May 24, and the theme.

Click here for an archived video of the kickoff event

Seiichi Saito, the new chairperson, Jin Kuramoto, the vice chairperson, and Yuko Nagayama participated in the talk, discussing their thoughts and expectations for this year’s screening, as well as reviewing “design” from the perspective of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD.

The GOOD DESIGN AWARD concept of design

The GOOD DESIGN AWARD, which goes back to 1957 and thus has a history of more than 60 years, started with a certification system for industrial products, and now subject entries range from daily necessities such as stationery and home appliances to industrial and medical equipment as well as city planning.

This year, in particular, we are focusing on the fact that “tangible design” and “intangible design” have been recognized as two separate things. “It may be difficult to separate tangible objects and intangible objects, and just as there is a background story when the output is a tangible object, there may be an interface or website when the output is an intangible object,” Saito noted during the talk.

The units specified in the application process are only considered as one “perspective,” and in the screening process, discussions are held in depth from every angle, regardless of whether the entry is a tangible object or an intangible object. The GOOD DESIGN AWARD considers that “design” includes everything we build to fulfill our ideals and purposes, regardless of the form of output.

“Design with Outcomes” as this year’s theme

The significance of broadening and expanding the definition of design is connected to this year’s theme.

The theme of this year’s GOOD DESIGN AWARD is “Design with Outcomes.” The definition of outcome includes “a result, or accomplishment,” and “Design with Outcomes” indicates that the broader activity of design continues toward a “faraway future.”

Firstly, a theme is announced as part of the chairperson’s message every year, and in addition to the “screening perspectives” it serves as one of the guiding principles in screening entries for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD.

What future does each subject entry aim for, and what future is the GOOD DESIGN AWARD or the entire design industry heading toward? This year’s screening will be conducted in consideration of the future we should aim at.

In his talk, he also said that “there is no need to force yourself to raise grand social issues” when it comes to designing for a new future. From designs derived out of concern for the global environment to modest designs that make everyday life better. Regardless of the size of your project, it is expected to be a design that actualizes your thoughts for the future.

New possibilities starting from the application

There were other findings from the talk that could be said to represent new value in applying for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD. There are numerous “merits of receiving the GOOD DESIGN AWARD” from raising awareness of the winning work to promoting its sales, along with the following three other values.

-1- Creating a gateway for new endeavors to take hold in society and industry -2- Discovering new possibilities through consideration and evaluation from outside your industry -3- Participating in a “community” called the GOOD DESIGN AWARD"

As for the first item, during the talk, it was said that one of the roles of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD was to be “an award that recognizes that a new idea has been realized.” The goal of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD is to evaluate a goal one thinks society or industries should aim at and to have such a direction take hold in society.

The second is the value that comes from the diversity of our nearly 100 judges. Vice chairperson Jin Kuramoto said, “Until I became a judge, I had thought that only designers would engage in screening,” but the screening is conducted by a wide range of professionals, including designers, experts, and business owners, not limited to those who directly engage in “design.” For this reason, the winners are determined by evaluating from a wide range of angles. It is said that awards that judge a single design with such diverse expertise are uncommon in the world. In the second screening panel, applicants sometimes make presentations to the judges, and by applying, they can experience a process full of new discoveries.

The “community” mentioned in the third item means a place where applicants and winners can interact through the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, such as participatory events or the award ceremony using Discord. We aim to be a community where new activities are generated from the connections made through the GOOD DESIGN AWARD.

Open for entries until Wednesday, May 24 at 13:00!

Most of the application for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD can be completed online, and 40% of the winners are first-time entries. Last year, the second screening panel was held at Aichi Sky Expo, and it will be held at Makuhari Messe this year. All entries will be collected and examined and touched during the screening. In addition, the GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION will be revived for the first time in four years since 2019, using the entire Tokyo Midtown building! We will continue to report on the exciting evolution of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD as other new initiatives are launched.