Delivering the "Now" of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD
The thoughts that go into the application for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, The thoughts that go into the judging of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, Various thoughts intersect and connect The process of exploring "GOOD DESIGN" will be delivered to you.
Acceptance of applications for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2025 has started! The deadline is May 22.
2025.04.16
The acceptance of applications for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2025 started on April 1! We introduce the message “A Small Step, Design Leaps” discussed at the kickoff seminar, including what we expect from this year’s entries and the continued evolution of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD to address a broader definition of design.
The First Screening Report of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2025!
In this year’s GOOD DESIGN REPORT, the Journal editorial department will report on the latest information of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, regarding the screening process and events! This article introduces what happened at the kickoff seminar held on April 3.
2025 Award Theme: “A Small Step, Design Leaps”
Continuing from last year, Seiichi Saito serves as the chairperson, and Jin Kuramoto and Yuko Nagayama as the vice chairpersons in 2025. The team of these three members is now in its third year, and has been further reinforced with screening experiences and discussions.
At the beginning of the kickoff seminar, this year’s “message” delivered by the chairperson and others was explained.
Click here for the full text of the theme.
This year’s theme is “A Small Step, Design Leaps.”
Saito cited the RESILIENCE PLAYGROUND PROJECT, which won the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD 2024, in order to explain the message. “The project is based on the idea of playground equipment where children who need medical care and children who do not need medical care can play together. I felt the energy of a designer who gets people and the entire company involved to achieve this,” he said in terms of screening.
He added, “The key is to consider services and products that realize what someone feels should be done. It’s important to have a point of view to look at the direction we should take and go for it, rather than just jumping on the bandwagon of marketing.”
He also said that the GOOD DESIGN AWARD considers a broader definition of design than other international design awards as the characteristics of the award.
“In the GOOD DESIGN AWARD screening, we want to know what kind of materials were used, what kind of daily use it was made for, who it was made with, and how it was made,” he said. “We judges really want to know why and how the design was developed. Even the most profound aspects that are not appreciated as design are subject to evaluation.” He showed the attitude of the Good Design Award.
This year’s theme was message based on discussions on Focused Issues.
Focused Issues is an activity that considers and recommends new possibilities for design through the GOOD DESIGN AWARD screening process. It has been published annually since 2015.
The 113th Design Hub Exhibition at Tokyo Midtown, titled “A Small Step, Design Leaps – GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2024 Focused Issues” is now being held.
The 2024 Focused Issues brochure is available for download below. Please take a look at it before applying. Report on GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2024 Focused Issues FOCUSED ISSUES 2024 A Small Step, Design Leaps (PDF) is available for download here
https://archive.jidp.or.jp/focusedissues/gda_focused_issues_report2024en.pdf
What is expected of this year’s entries? Tips regarding award applications
A member of the judging committee said as a specific way of writing the entry sheet, “When not only designers but also people from various fields are involved, it would be good to describe how they work on the project together.”
Also, regarding the importance of the main image to be registered at the time of application, “The first image should make an impression on the judges. It is good to choose the image that shows the full scope of the project and expresses the characteristics of the product or service concisely and clearly,” a committee member said as tips of application.
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD is updated every year. The categories were updated this year. In 2025, there are 20 categories in total. “Interior Space” category was newly created.
Regarding the interior space category, Nagayama said, “Although CG images are often used in interiors and architecture, the GOOD DESIGN AWARD emphasizes the impact of the project on the local community and society, how it was utilized, and how it brought about change, rather than on how cool it looks. In the interior category, looks often matter. But the GOOD DESIGN AWARD screening criteria are a little different from those of other interior design awards. We want to know what has changed in the use of design.”
At the end of the seminar, we asked what they expect from this year’s entries. Kuramoto, Vice Chairperson said, “I am interested in future signs emerging from the personality of designers and companies. I would like to see how their ideas are developed into products and services, and how they are implemented and adapted to the community. I want to make the GOOD DESIGN AWARD a place where new inspiration leads to the next creation.”
GOOD DESIGN AWARD timeline
Below is the timeline of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2025 from application to award announcement. The judging committee will screen entries for about half a year, and then announce award winners.
Procedures and requirements
- Create an account
- Log in to the Entry Site
- Register entry information
Applications close on May 22 at 13:00. Create an account now!
What is the GOOD DESIGN AWARD?
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD is the only comprehensive design evaluation and promotion mechanism in Japan. Together with the G Mark, it has been recognized by a wide range of people for more than 65 years, and has continued its activities to make people’s lives and society better through design. The application is open to all kinds of “design,” tangible and intangible. Click below for more information including “Award Value” and “Screening Process”!
Chieko Asakura
Writing
While working at a bookstore, she creates books and videos. She participated in Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) 2024. She is also active as an actor, participating in the theater company chelfitsch’s Five Days in March Re-creation and Metamorphosis of a Living Room.
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