Messages
Hiroshi Naito
Chairman, Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP)
I am honored to serve as the new Chairman, filling the big shoes left by Mr. Motomi Kawakami. Our signature project, the Good Design Award, continues to flourish under the leadership of the Chair of the Judging Committee. In addition to managing the award, JDP has been steadily promoting design in increasingly diverse fields. Since these activities have been successfully continuing for nearly 70 years, I believe my role as Chairman is to protect that legacy.
We must remember that a product cannot exist unless there are people who wish to buy it. The form of that product is determined by its design. Unfortunately, however, Japanese policy thus far has not prioritized design. This is despite the fact that Japan must rely on foreign income generated by the export of products.
Design has likely thrived in Japan thanks to the wisdom of individual companies. Good products sold well because they were appreciated by the market. Bad products did not last long because they were shunned by the market. In other words, the market judged the quality of products. This system worked well when our economy continued to expand steadily. However, we now face various changes, including climate change, the revolutionary growth of information technology, the rapid aging of our population and changes in our lifestyle due to a maturing economy, and emerging economies that are quickly catching up to us by prioritizing design in their national policies. Given this situation, Japan needs to shift its attitude toward design. JDP and the Good Design Award should play an even greater role in promoting design throughout Japan.
We must also rethink the word “design.” This word, which has only seen casual usage until now, can be developed into a more strategic and creative tool. In recent years, “design” has expanded beyond the design of objects, and has come to refer to a wide range of systems behind objects. Regardless of what it is, I believe that good, attractive design has a “touch of the near future.” Through design, people envision a new way of life, imagine themselves living that life, place their hopes in that future, and try to make that life a reality. Therefore, all designs look towards the future: not a distant and unrealistic future, but a near future that each person can attain. While seeking functional designs that fulfills their needs, people also hope to obtain a “touch of the near future.”
Over the past several decades, many revolutionary devices and technologies have changed the way we live, including cell phones, LCD TVs, computers, the internet, and hybrid cars. These superb objects and systems all have a “touch of the near future.” Filled with countless dreams, they are designed with distinct visions of the near future.
The Good Design Product Selection Program (the predecessor of the Good Design Award) was established in 1957 to support the creation of products that can be sold abroad. Since then, our annual selection process has led to heated discussions on what constitutes “good design.” The definitions of “good” and “design” change with technological innovation and various circumstances of the moment. However, no matter what those circumstances are, the essence of JDP’s activities—to find and evaluate new designs that have a “touch of the near future” and to promote them widely—remains the same.
As the new Chairman, I look forward to ensuring that these excellent activities continue to thrive.
Hiroyuki Fukano
President Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP)
I am pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications to the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023.
With the pandemic winding down, we are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Various COVID restrictions will be reviewed this fiscal year, allowing activities to be conducted at or beyond pre-pandemic levels. Having welcomed a new Chair to the GOOD DESIGN AWARD Judging Committee, we, too, are aiming to increase opportunities for applicants to gain exposure and be inspired by other designs. As part of this effort, this year’s showcase (GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2023) will not be limited to the top 100 winners (GOOD DESIGN BEST 100), and instead will include all award-winning entries.
As you know, the GOOD DESIGN AWARD is not limited to specific genres of design. What makes us unique is that multiple experts carefully analyze the ideas behind each design, as well as the process through which they took shape. Indeed, the high expectations people have for us in this regard is reflected in the diverse pool of applicants, which includes major global companies, local small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and those who work with government and community activities. Trends in the GOOD DESIGN AWARD reflect how Japan and the world are evolving. We believe this helps applicants know where they stand in relation to others, as well as decide their future direction.
This is a special year for those of us in the design field in Japan. The World Design Assembly 2023 will be held in Tokyo in October, convening stakeholders from all over the world. As our field undergoes many transformations, this international forum will become a great opportunity to discuss the future direction of design and the challenges we face. The GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2023 will be held in conjunction with this event. By showcasing the works that won the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, we will demonstrate the strength of Japanese designs to design professionals in Japan and around the world.
As the organizer of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD, we at the Japan Institute of Design Promotion look forward to receiving many applications in 2023.
April 4, 2023