Report from the 2026 GOOD DESIGN AWARD Second Screening Panel + Best 100 Selection Committee： an intense screening lasting 3 days

The Second Screening Panel was held across three days, from August 5 to 7. In the enormous hall where a huge number of subject entries were arranged by unit, the judges carried out their screening from early in the morning until sunset, discussing each one exhaustively.

Actual items that could be brought into the venue, such as household goods, furniture, and home appliances, were displayed there. Items that were difficult to bring into the venue were displayed using panels, architectural models, and some of the materials used. Many of the exhibits had been organized to summarize the main points, so that the judges could understand at a glance what the applicants wanted to communicate to them. In addition, when there were details which were difficult to convey from the actual product or service alone, such as its structure, creative techniques such as the use of mechanical models and images of the structure were used in accordance with the design’s special characteristics.

The Second Screening Panel, where designs are experienced and talked about exhaustively

On the first and second days, the subject entries that will pass the screening are determined by each screening unit consisting of 4 to 6 judges per team, just as with the First Screening Panel. Entries that pass the second screening are considered as shortlisted GOOD DESIGN AWARD candidates.

At the Second Screening Panel, the judges for each unit sit around a table and a lively discussion of the subject entries takes place. All the team stand in front of the subject entries and actually pick up the designs to check not only their aesthetics but also their feel and usability, sharing what they feel. Taking into account points including an entry’s actual adoption rate and track record, they consider not only its ease of use as a tool and the cohesiveness of the design, but also whether or not the design is suited to users’ daily lives and what value it brings to them. They observe the design from various angles and discuss it thoroughly.

Judges from overseas also came to Japan to take part. The venue buzzed with various languages as they each shared their own cultures and values, deliberating upon the subject entries to reach a conclusion on which everyone could agree.

Edward Barber, who participated in the screening for Unit 9, said “I was able to see a diversity of design and encounter new and innovative products. I could clearly sense the difference between designs from Japan and Asia, and those from Europe.” Felix Conran, who worked on the same unit, said “There were many designs gathered there, and the screening system was fresh and very interesting, so it was fun to take part.” He added, “When screening a design for how good it was, I kept in mind the standards we value in the studio where I work. We always think about what conditions the design should meet, and that becomes the standard for our products. In this screening, too, I looked at each design while valuing this perspective,” he said about the screening.

The Chair and Vice Chairs also joined each unit’s table, listening to the judges tell them about the trends and characteristics which had emerged from the discussion and screening so far. First of all, they looked back over all the applications submitted this year and exchanged opinions on which designs each unit would like to recommend for the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100.

The Chair, Mr. Nakagawa, talked about the relationship between vision and design, and how to understand design from a management perspective. Unit leaders were also heard asking once again about this year’s message of “design that advances vision.”

Student support staff also took part in the screening, as they did in the First Screening Panel. A student who was exposed to the discussions and screening perspectives from their position close to the judges said “I learned what points in the designs the judges were focusing on, and my perspective on the works broadened. I also had the chance to learn about the ties that design creates with communities and people, learning things that will influence my future work.”

At last, the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100 selection

On the third day, the last day of the screening, the candidates for the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100 are selected by each screening unit from among the subject entries that passed the second screening.

Everyone goes to stand in front of the subject entries selected as candidates for the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100, and each unit leader (the representative of the screening unit) presents their selections to unit leaders from other fields, one at a time.

They give an overview of the chosen design and which aspects have been evaluated positively. The unit leader speaks on behalf of all the judges from each unit, giving their collective opinion. When it came to subject entries which it was difficult to display, some of the judges had gone to visit their locations, both within Japan and abroad, to see the actual designs. The Chair and Vice Chairs, and the other unit leaders, nodded and listened to the impassioned presentations with a serious gaze, sometimes taking notes or exclaiming aloud.

They then moved venue and the confirmation session for the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100 began, based on these earlier presentations.

To begin with, the leader of each unit took the microphone and shared the trends and characteristics of the designs received by that unit, the discussions and questions that arose within the unit, and the points that they emphasized in the selection process. They then posed the questions that had been felt within the unit to other units to seek their opinions. In addition, their discussion sometimes even imagined the people beyond the design, wondering “Who would be happy if it won this award?”

The unit leaders used the ideas and words deemed important by each unit to give their opinions to and encourage other units, creating cross-unit interactions. At one point, Focused Issues Researcher Yutaka Nakamura also asked the judges questions that had come up through the discussion and the screening.

The discussion then expanded to topics such as the process by which the designs that had been submitted came about and how the GOOD DESIGN AWARD should be. There were also discussions approaching the essence of design, about the difference between design and art, and what design is.

Vice Chair Suzuki said, “The fact that the terms “tangible” and “intangible” design, which were frequently used in product-related screenings in the past, were not often mentioned this time left an impression on me. Perhaps it was because the idea of “vision” was linked to “intangible” design. If marketing captures the present, vision looks towards the future over a longer time horizon. This time, we were able to talk together about such a long perspective. I think it was very significant that the perspective of “vision” was incorporated into the screening and that we were able to base our discussions on this,” he explained, interspersing new trends from this year’s screening.

Finally, the Chair, Mr. Nakagawa said, “All the judges had a warm yet strict screening perspective. The screening contains the judges’ desire to make society better by delivering the designs which were submitted to the world, and their support for these designs. I have learned and realized many things simply by listening to all the judges. As an award, we come out with results, but I felt that this was a place with value going beyond that,” he commented, talking about the thoughts behind the screening for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD.

“There are a lot of things we will be able to overcome by linking design and management. How can we deliver the things we discussed today and the value of the designs selected for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD not only to designers but also to users and business owners? Ideally, the designs will reach users as they should, and actually be used and appreciated. As a result, value will be returned to the companies which applied for the award. From now on, I would like us to think not only about the designs themselves, but also about delivering the discussion and value created here to as many people as possible,” he concluded by saying.

The results of the second screening will be announced on August 25

Applicants will be notified of the results of the second screening on August 25. Once they have completed the registration of their information for public release and for the exhibition, those who pass the second screening will begin preparations for the BEST 100 presentation screening.

After the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100 presentation screening, special awards such as the GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD will be determined.

Please see the GOOD DESIGN AWARD official website for the forthcoming schedule, and subsequent procedures.