Your design will go down in history! What is the appeal of the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD?

What is the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD?

Your favorite tool you use daily, a building that is part of a familiar landscape, and essential services for everyday life. The GOOD DESIGN LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD (hereinafter, LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD) celebrates such designs that have been loved by many people throughout the ages.

This award is given to products or services that have been sold or supplied for more than 10 years and are expected to continue to be valued and provided. We pay attention to designs that have had a positive impact on society, and celebrate people and companies that continue to create designs that are both easy to use and visually appealing. Through this award, we also aim to present a model for future design that will emerge.

A variety of award-winning historic designs

Since its inception in 1980, the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD has recognized a variety of designs that have been supported by people for many years. To date, the award has been given to designs in a wide range of fields, including products, web services, web applications, architecture, activities and initiatives.

Last year, the award was given to a system service to provide coffee at SEVEN CAFÉ, stationery double-sided tape NICE TACK™ as daily supplies, and in the field of furniture, Japanese Paper Lighting, an AKARI series by sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

In recent years, awards for web services and applications have increased. For example, the NIKKEI Online Edition, an online newspaper, and LunaLuna, a women’s health information service, won the award.

Because designs that have been in existence for more than 10 years are subject entries, it is expected that the number of winning entries for web services and applications that have been created one after another will increase in the future.

Designs that were created before 2016 and still exist today are eligible for this year’s award. Designs that have remained unchanged for more than 10 years have elements and features that make you feel the times. What designs have remained popular for over 10 years? The selection reflects the changing times.

Spread of Designs! Opportunities to increase credibility and visibility

Winning the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD will provide:

・No entry fee and free use of the logo after winning the award ・Presentation of Commendation Certificates and Trophies ・Participation in the GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION ・Appearance in the GOOD DESIGN AWARD YEARBOOK ・Provision of sales and distribution opportunities

Use of the winning logo increases the credibility of “good design.” In addition, the value of the design will be conveyed through exhibitions and publication in the yearbook, and there will be more opportunities for further recognition.

Judges talk about unchanging value and future potential

In the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD screening, judges discuss impacts on society that designs with established value have had since they were first released, reasons why they are still loved by people, and possibilities for the future.

This time, we asked the 2025 judges about what they focused on when screening in 2024, and what value this award has for companies, designers, and society.

Mitsuharu Kurokawa, President, Toraya Confectionery Co. Ltd.

From what point of view did you examine the entries?

“I deal in products that have been handed down for more than 100 years, so I always think about how I can pass them down to future generations. In the same way, I was conscious of whether the work selected would remain in the future 100 years from now, and whether it would still be considered a wonderful work.”

What do you think is the significance of the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD?

“When thinking about the long life of a work, we need the design not only allows the work to exist at that moment, but also includes the sustainability of the supply chain that supports it. I think this award also gives us a perspective on the overall sustainability of work.”

Yuri Kikuchi, fennica Director, BEAMS Co., Ltd.

From what point of view did you examine the entries?

“First of all, the design is excellent in form and initiative. And it has been loved and recognized by many people over a long period of time, more specifically, over 10 years. Particularly, we focused on and discussed why it was selected this year. A disaster prevention hood may raise awareness of disaster prevention. Counter coffee pioneered by > Seven-Eleven has spread all over Japan, and this year is its 10th anniversary. It would be appropriate for the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD.”

What do you think is the significance of the LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD?

"It’s not just about the fact that it’s been around for a long time, but it’s also about how it has been loved by people and how it has influenced society. For this reason, I believe it acts as a benchmark for a better society. I would be very happy if this award could serve as a model for companies and designers, and if they aim for designs that surpass it.”

The LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD celebrates design that has been handed down for a long time, and is also where future “standards” are developed through the application and screening process. We look forward to receiving applications for designs to make life and society better and to be loved for a long time!

https://www.g-mark.org/en/apply/longlife