Purpose
The materials published when the Good Design Awards (G Mark system) was first launched stated that its objective was to "select and publicize good design to raise the standard of living and spur industrial development and export trade by enhancing product quality". Within 50 years of the award system's inception, society had matured and design's role had gone far beyond improving product quality. However, this program is still dedicated to advancing lifestyle and industrial activity by selecting outstanding design.
The phrase "lifestyle and industry" may sound routine, but the "and" used here is important. There are a variety of ways of raising lifestyle and advancing industry, but design is able to achieve both of these goals at the same time. The Good Design Awards' task is to highlight those roles that can only be filled by design. More specifically, the Good Design Awards selects those designs that enrich private lives. Award-winning designs are identified with the G mark. As we come across designs with this mark, its power will transform industrial activity. The public's support for design leads to designs of higher quality, which then earn the Good Design Awards. This cycle has repeated itself for more than 50 years.
Design links industry and private lives, and creates a virtuous cycle to build a prosperous society. Design that fulfills this role has become even more important in the twenty-first century. Prior to this, when the relationship between private lives and industry was not harmonious, there was no consensus on how society should be advanced. In such an era, design was subject to great expectations.
In 2008, the Good Design Awards was significantly adjusted with the perspective changed from "industry to lifestyle" to "lifestyle to industry." Design's ability to paint a picture of our near future is first embraced by the public. If design can pick up on the public's will and present specific measures to earn its support, design will be able to play a major role in moving society forward. The Good Design Awards is a social tool to generate the virtuous cycle described above. When this award system was first initiated, it was simply a hope. After 50 years, the Good Design Awards' mission is beginning to look feasible.
