GOOD DESIGN AWARD is given annually by Japan Institute of Design Promotion. organizer starts accepting applications in April, award event and ceremony held in late October /early November through the first screening and the second screening, and the yearbook published in March of the following year.
1. Applications
Each year in April, we announce the application rules and the members of the Judging Committee on our website. Those who wish to apply for GOOD DESIGN AWARD submit entries by the entry deadline.
2. First Screening
After the close of applications, the Judging Committee begins the first screening. In the first screening, the Judging Committee determines whether screened items fit the purpose of GOOD DESIGN AWARD.
3. Second Screening
The second screening is conducted between July and August. During the second screening, physical items of entries are displayed at an exhibit hall. The Judging Committee carefully examines each individual entry from various viewpoints and decides the winners. In case of entries of which the physical items cannot be displayed, such as architecture and services, graphic boards can be substituted for the screening. In certain cases, as an additional screening process, hearing screening with applicant or on-site examinations may also be requested by the Judging Committee.
4. Special Awards Screening, GOOD DESIGN BEST100 Presentation
After the second screening panel, special awards screening panel takes place to choose higher quality designs which deserve Special Awards. In this screening, the winners of Special Awards including the GOOD FOCUS AWARD, GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD, Finalists for the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD are chosen from among the GOOD DESIGN BEST100.
GOOD DESIGN BEST100 Presentation is held by GOOD DESIGN BEST100 winners, and the judging committee judges through this presentation.
5. Announcement of the "GOOD DESIGN AWARD" Winners
In October, GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners are to be announced. From the announcement date, the award winners can use the G mark for their awarded works. At the same time, GOOD DESIGN BEST100, GOOD FOCUS AWARD, GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD, Finalists for the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD are to be announced.
6. Award Promotion Event
From early October to early November, promotion events are held to inform the public about the GOOD DESIGN AWARD items. These events include the GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION, online talk sessions, social networking planning and etc. During this period, the events are accessible to a wide range of people, including design professionals.
7. Election of the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD and Award Ceremony
After the online presentation of the finalists, GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD is elected by a vote of the judges, award winners, etc.
8. Publication of the Award Yearbook
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD Yearbook covering all awarded works is published in March of the following year.
Eligible Entry
The entries are limited to items or things that meet the following requirements:
1. available for users to purchase or use by March 31, 2023.
2. can be made public on October 7, 2022, the day of the announcement of award winners.
Withdrawal of application
Applicants who cannot continue to go through the screening of their entries or release information on October 7, 2022 may withdraw their applications by October 6, 2022. In such a case, the applicants need to send the withdrawal request to the organizer via e-mail or the contact window and complete the withdrawal procedure after receiving a response from the organizer.
Conditions for the payment of fees in association with the withdrawal are specified as follows:
Applicants must pay designated fees if they withdraw their applications on and after the following dates:
Second screening fee: In case of withdrawal on and after July 5
Award package fee: In case of withdrawal on and after August 27
In order to apply for GOOD DESIGN AWARD, applicants are required to follow procedures as below. Please make sure to read through the application rules (Principal Regulations, Application Regulations) and detailed guidelines.
1. Create an account for the entry site
All application procedures for GOOD DESIGN AWARD are accepted online only. Applicants applying for GOOD DESIGN AWARD for the first time need to create a new accounts from "Account Registration" on the entry site. Applicants who applied for GOOD DESIGN AWARD in the past are able to continue using their existing accounts.
* "Account Registration" is available only during the application period of GOOD DESIGN AWARD.
* Information will be displayed in Japanese if registered on the Japanese site, and in English if registered on the English or Chinese site.
2. Submit entry
After creating your account, login to the entry site and submit your entry. Submit/Registration procedures are as follows:
2-1. Registration of applicant information
Applicant information is to be used as winner information in case you win the award. If you have multiple applicants (joint entry), use "Add Applicant" button to register information on additional applicants.
2-2. Register individual entry
New entry can be created from "Add New Entry". In this step, you should link your entry with the applicant information entered in "2-1". If you link your entry with multiple applicants, your entry will be applied jointly in their names and the award winner's name will also be their joint names. This link can be changed at the step "2-4".
- Entry categories
While screening will be based on the entry category chosen by the applicant at the time of application, during the screening process an entry may be judged as part of a unit that differs from the chosen category, as deemed appropriate by the Judging Committee. - Application to more than one category by one work
Applicants may not apply for more than one category in terms of one work.
2-3. Register detailed information of individual entry
All applicants are required to register the detailed information of their entries. Screenings will be conducted based on the information registered here. A link between the Entry and the applicant information can be changed from "Link to Applicant".
Refer to the following items for the information to be entered:
Only individuals and corporations linked as the applicant will become a winner of GOOD DESIGN AWARD. Please note that individuals and corporations that are not registered or linked as the applicant will not become a winner even if they are provided in the column "Business Owner" on the detailed information page.
Applicant: Name is shown on the official website and the certificate. The applicant can apply for the G Mark usage.
Business owner: Name is only shown on the official website.
2-4. Confirm application
After completed the detailed information of the Entry, click "Apply" to settle your application. Applications are completed with this process. Applicants can withdraw their applications by clicking "Withdraw" at any time within the application period. Information of entries withdrawn will be saved on the entry site and applications can be made once again at any time within the application period. The organizer deems entries in a status "Apply" after the deadline for applications as the entries applied. An invoice will be delivered after the deadline for applications by email.
Deadline for entry: May 25, 13:00(JST)
2-5. Submitting Application Confirmation Form
The applicant should download and print out the Application Confirmation Form from the page of ”Application Confirmation Form List” after completing the application. Upload the softcopy of Application Confirmation Form with the company seal or signature of the company's legal representative through the the page of ”Application Confirmation Form List”. Note that for a subject entry with multiple applicants registered, the official (company) seal or signature of all registered applicants is required. Entry to GOOD DESIGN AWARD will be finalized upon receipt of this Application Confirmation Form (required from all applicants).
When the business owner of the entry is not registered as the applicant, for example when a designer applies individually or when a contractor is registered as the applicant for a private home, prepare a Letter of Consent separately from the Application Confirmation Form and submit it after having the business owner affix its official seal (required only from applicable applicants).
Deadline of submission for Application Confirmation Form: May 25, 13:00 JST (required from all applicants)
Deadline of submission for Letter of Consent: September 12 (required only from applicable applicants)
2-6. Payment of the first screening fee
After the deadline for applications, an invoice for the first screening fee will be sent by email. Please make a payment by the following deadlines. If a payment is not confirmed by the payment deadline, the entry shall be disqualified.
Payment deadline for the first screening fee: May 31
3. Notification of the first screening results
The first screening results will be posted on the entry site on June 27. Please login to your account and confirm the first screening results.
Passed 1st screening (displayed in green) :Entry passed the first screening.
Failed (displayed in gray) :Entry did not pass the first screening.
4. Prepare the second screening
An entry passed the first screening will move on to the second screening. Physical items of entries are carried into the venue of the second screening and displayed during the period of the second screening session.
If you do not want to proceed to the second screening after passing the first screening, please "withdraw" your entry at the entry site.
If you want to proceed to the second screening, please register the information necessary for the second screening display (size of the entry to be displayed, the necessity of an electric power, etc.) on the entry site and carry physical items in/out of the designated venue on the designated date. Procedures for the registration and carry-in/out are as follows:
4-1. Register information for the second screening
Applicants who passed the first screening are requested to register information of their entries from "Register Information for Second Screening", such as the size of the entry to be displayed, the necessity for electric power, participation in the interactive screening, etc. Physical items of entries are required to be displayed at the venue of the second screening. However, if it is impossible to display physical items of entries, such as architecture or service, an A1 sized graphic board or a video should be displayed as a substitute in accordance with the rules below. The maximum size of an item available to be displayed at the screening venue is "3m x 3m" (for vehicle 3m x 6m). For more details, please refer to the "2nd screening guide (To be released in June)" to be distributed after the notification of the first screening results.
Deadline for the registration of information for the second screening: July 4, 13:00 JST
Please withdraw the entry by July 4 when you do not want to proceed to the second screening. If not, the relevant fees for the second screening will be charged.
- In the case your entry is architecture, interior design or building, please submit following material for the second screening.
[Details of the compulsory material]
One "graphic board in A1 size, vertical type" and "Supplementary brochure within 10 pages in A3 size, horizontal type" are requested. Regarding the A1 graphic board, please make sure that the jury members could understand quickly and grab the outline and important points of your entry at a glance. The specifications for the material are shown below.[Specifications of the A1 graphic board]
Please make one graphic board in A1 size（H840mm×W594mm, mounted on the 5-7 mm thick board）in vertical type.- Considering the "Screening perspectives", express the most important point of your entry briefly, with texts or charts.
- Photos of both interior and exterior. Even in the case your entry is interior design only, both of those photos are requested.
- Ground plan (In the case of high-rise building, the plan for just basic floor plan is enough, but should include residential area.)
- Construction of the building/architecture (for example, wooden, iron framework, etc.)
- Photos and brief explanation texts to show the context/relation with surrounding environment.
- Please ensure to include Entry No. on the back side of the board.
* Make it the jury could understand the outline and important points quickly.
* Especially, feature the points you considered and contrived.[Specifications of the supplementary brochure]
As a supplement of the A1 graphic board, please make a booklet in A3 size (H297mmxW420mm) horizontal, within 10 pages.- Cover page - please write the entry number on the top right. The top cover page is not included in the 10 pages. You can include images or texts on the cover.
- Outline - briefly explained concept and substance of the design.
- The map indicates the location, photos and brief explanation texts to show the context/relation with surrounding environment (not necessarily required in the case such as prefabricated housing without any specific location)
- The specifications of the building/architecture (use, number of the floors, construction, square measure list and interior/exterior finishing material list of the main part of the building, etc.)
- Ground plan (floor layout, plane figure, elevation drawings, etc.) The scale is not specified.
- Photos
* Any binding method for the booklet is accepted.
* If the material explains the contents on the A1 graphic board, please clarify the part on the board you mentioned.
* Please make a brief and straightforward material which jury members could understand the outline and intention/substance of the design at a glance. - For other cases:
- A1 sized vertical graphic board
The entry number, the name of the entry, its outline, and the points of design must be included.
* Models and movies can also be accepted.
- A1 sized vertical graphic board
Regarding the entries that are not yet released at the stage of the second screening, a prototype can be displayed as substitute. However, substitutes may be judged not to satisfy the requirements if they are expected not to have the same performance as the actual item and to have specifications different from those of the final product in terms of external appearance and functions.
Applicants who wish to ensure safety of confidential information of their Undisclosed entries can select the screening for Undisclosed entries. For more details, please refer to "Supplemental information) Screening for Undisclosed Entries".
The purpose of the display at the second screening venue is to make the judges appropriately understand the points of entries. Therefore, applicants should try to display their entries in a way understandable to the judges.
Since entries may be transferred during the screening, labels, etc. with the entry number should be placed on all items displayed.
4-2. Payment of the second screening fee
After the deadline for the registration of information for the second screening, an invoice for the second screening fee will be delivered by email. Please make a payment by the following deadline. If a payment is not confirmed by the payment deadline, the entry shall be disqualified.
Payment deadline for the second screening fee: August 12
4-3. Carry physical items of entries in/out of the second screening venue
Applicants are requested to directly carry-in/out physical items of their entries on the carry-in/out date of the second screening panel. In carrying-in/out entries, "Applicant pass" and "Permit to use vehicles", etc. must be obtained. Please refer to the "2nd screening guide (To be released in June)" and make sure to bring the necessary documents, etc. For applicants who cannot directly carry their entries in/out of the screening venue, a forwarding agent assigned by the organizer is available. The information of the forwarding agent is provided in the "2nd screening guide (To be released in June)".
Applicants who are unable to carry in and out of the venue in person may apply for the forwarder service appointed by the organizer. It is forbidden to send the entries directly to the second screening venue or the organizer's office. applicants can also choose other third-party agency services on their own, but the organizer will not be responsible for any disputes that may arise.
During the second screening session, applicants are not allowed to enter the venue. If the entries need to be operated and set up, please adjust them to normal working condition on the carry-in day and prepare the operation guide beforehand to display them together with the works.
Please be sure to check and handle the procedures beforehand as it may be necessary to clear customs when moving in your work from overseas.
On the day of carry-in, if the work does not enter the venue, it will be considered as not having passed the second screening. In addition, the relevant fees for the second screening will be charged.
The guide will be released in June.
4-4. Hearing Screening
In the case where the Judging Committee requests for hearing screening, in which Judges directly hear the explanation of the applicant, the applicant should respond to this. The length of time and location of hearing screening for each entry will be determined by the Judging Committee. G Mark office will notify the applicable applicant about the date, time, place and method of hearing screening.
Not all entries will be subject to hearing screening.
5. Notification of the second screening results
Notice of the second screening results will be posted to the entry site on August 19. Check the second screening results on your account in the entry site.
Passed 2nd screening (BEST100) : Entry passed the second screening and going to be selected as the GOOD DESIGN BEST100 (hereinafter referred to as the "BEST100") after the announcement date.
Passed 2nd screening : Entry passed the second screening and going to be selected as the GOOD DESIGN AWARD after the announcement date.
Failed : Entry did not pass the second screening.
The official announcement date of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners will be on October 7, 13:30 JST (Japan Standard Time). Applicants must not disclose the results before the official announcement date.
After the notification of the second screening results, the award winners will be separately notified of the "Evaluation and comment by the judges" about their entries. In certain cases, applicants whose entries did not pass the second screening may also be separately notified of comments and advice from the judges.
Applicants whose entries are selected as the BEST100 need to take special procedures. For more details, please refer to "For the BEST100 winners".
6. Registration of release information, and payment of the award package fee
Entries that have passed the second screening (hereinafter referred to as "awarded works") will appear in the GOOD DESIGN AWARD yearbook (hereinafter referred to as the "yearbook") issued in March of the following year, and its information will be released on the website of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD. After confirming the second screening results, the award winners should register the following information:
Release Information: Register information to be released on the GOOD DESIGN AWARD website and in the yearbook
Afterwards, an invoice for the award package fee will be sent by email. Please make a payment by the following deadline. If the payment is not confirmed by the deadline, the concerned award may be revoked. If no application for withdrawal is made by August 26, the award package fee will be charged.
Deadline for the registration of release information: August 26, 13:00 JST
Payment deadline for the award package fee: September 20
Please note that release information cannot be changed after the deadline.
A hi-res image (about 1,900 x 1,350 pixels) must be uploaded to the Yearbook.
7. Presentation of certificates
One certificate will be presented to each awarded item. The certificate will be sent to the address registered in the "Account Information" section of the entry site in late October.
8. Application for the G Mark license
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners can use "G Mark" with applying for its usage license. For more details, please refer to "Using G Mark". All the award winners can use the G Mark for free during the campaign period between October 7 and November 6.
Login to your entry site and find the download icon on the "Application for the G Mark license" page.
Please refer to "Using G Mark".
9. Purchase of Promotion Items
Winners can purchase promotion items for the awarded works through Entry Site, the page of "Buy PR Goods". Winners do not need to apply for "G Mark Usage" to use promotion items. For more details, please refer to Promotion Items.
10. Presentation of the Yearbook
The yearbook is published in March of the following year, and one yearbook will be given to each awarded work. The organizer schedules the delivery according to the address in the account information of the Entry Site.
1. Preparation for the exhibition
All the works that received GOOD DESIGN BEST100 must participate in the exhibition that will be held between October 7 and November 6, and the organizers will adjust the exhibition to show all the physical works as much as possible. After the notification of the second screening results on August 19, the organizer will inform the winners about this issue.
2. Participate in the "GOOD DESIGN BEST100 Presentation"
All the GOOD DESIGN BEST100 winners are requested to give a presentation at a presentation event called the "GOOD DESIGN BEST100 Presentation" held on September 16. This occasion is the subject to the special award screening. The presentations will be filmed and archived on the website of GOOD DESIGN AWARD. In preparation for this event, the winners are required to provide the name of the presenter, data for the presentation, etc. Detailed information will be provided immediately after the notification of the second screening results on August 19, by the organizer.
3. Complimentary GOOD DESIGN BEST100 trophy
To the GOOD DESIGN BEST100 winners,GOOD DESIGN BEST100 trophy will be given, in addition to the award certificate.