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Universality through Individuality - DesignTope design awards 2006
Topics proposed by the following research partner corporations:
Canon Inc. Design Center
Mazda Motor Corporation, Design Division
Simplex Investment Advisors, Inc.
The BUTSUGAKU Research Program*1 is a multi-year project for the research of contemporary themes through topics submitted by various corporate bodies. The theme for 2006, the first year of the project, is "Universality through Individuality"*2. Applicants are to submit design proposals for the following topics from the three corporations.
The fruits of this international design award program will be used in two different ways. Firstly, the best products will be presented with DT DESIGN AWARDS, and secondly, all proposals will be used as material for our research on the theme of "Universality through Individuality".
01 主题
Design proposals for various topics will come under one overall theme, which this year is "Universality through Individuality".
[Theme: "Universality through Individuality"]
Traditional mass-produced goods have always been aimed at "the average consumer", which has forced many people to make compromises. Today's consumers are far more individualistic, and the image of the "average consumer" has faded somewhat. What is needed today is not an "average" design, but a "universal design" which will satisfy everybody.
Traditionally, most craftsmen had their own tools made especially for them. Nowadays, some ball players may have their own unique bats or made-to-order shoes. Because tools are an extension of the human body designed to ease and improve certain tasks and functions, they must be uniquely suited to the needs of the user. The aim of this assignment is to discover something universal through an examination of the essential uniqueness and individuality of these tools.
Therefore, this design award project will look for the universality of products designed for you personally, based on the assumption that "universality lies hidden within the unique individuality which is you yourself". We are looking for proposals for "distinctive designs in which universality can be discovered".
[Topics]
The topics have been proposed by three different corporations in each respective category. One section should be selected and within that, a design should be proposed under the overall theme. Multiple ideas by the same applicant should be sent in as separate entries.
- Section A SLR Digital Camera
Proposed by the Canon Inc. Design Center
We are looking for proposals for a digital camera uniquely designed for you yourself. You are free to determine the size and functions of the camera. Economic viability is not a requirement, but general technological realities should be taken into consideration. Your proposal should not be a dream vision.
There are two kinds of digital cameras: fixed lens cameras and ones with interchangeable screw-in lenses, and the requirement here is for an SLR camera with interchangeable lenses. The film camera has most definitely given way to the digital camera, but in terms of design, structure and form, things have not changed that much. We feel that the time is ripe for the appearance of a wholly new camera designed specifically for the digital age. We are looking forward to seeing prototype digital cameras designed with your creativity.
- Section B Car Interior Design Focusing on fun to drive
Proposed by Mazda Motor Corporation Design Division.
We are looking for proposals for a driver seat interior designed uniquely for you yourself. There are a number of legal requirements in car design but these may be ignored. You have been forced to compromise with the interior made by someone else, but this topics seeks interior design expressed out of your true desires.
Proposals should be designed from the perspective of driving and the pleasure derived from driving. Importance will be attached to the discovery of the perspective of "individuality" and its approach. It can be said that the entire history of the car is made up of things born out of "individuality" going on to become "universal". For example, originally all cars were open-top, but the "individual" need of doctors to be able to go and see their patients in all weather conditions led to the invention of the closed top car, which was originally known as the "doctors' coupe". In another example, even though we cannot now imagine a car having anything but a steering wheel, in the beginning cars were steered with a steering bar, and the wheel was devised later to improve handling on rough surfaces.
Throughout history, innovation and progress brought about by special circumstances become important elements in the formation of "universality" of the next generation. We would like you to propose a passenger car interior design from the perspective of the enjoyment of driving, a design brought about by your unique individuality and your specific set of circumstances. Mazda designs its products by focusing on fun to drive. This is the essential and central value that a car possesses, and Mazda will continue to attach the utmost importance to it going into the future. Therefore, we will seek new approaches and perspectives of "individuality" on the theme of driving.
- Section C One-person home interior
Proposed by Simplex Investment Advisors, Inc.
Propose a one-person home interior ideally suited to you yourself. There has been an considerable increase in recent years in the number of young people who choose not to get married and live by themselves. A one-person home is a place to which you can invite friends to stay over, a place to spend time with your partner, and a place to enjoy with your close friends. The meaning of a home has been changing in recent years. Propose a one-person home interior for this new age.
The transition from an extended family society to a nuclear family society resulted in an increase in the number of houses, and now the number of people living alone is on the rise. This implies that single person dwellings are becoming an important theme. Whereas a dwelling has always been a "community" space for a family, there is now a demand for a space in which one can freely invite friends or partners to one's own flexible and temporary community. For this task, seek the new concept of a dwelling which serves the dual purpose of a space for a single person and a space in which temporary and evolving "communities" are formed. Indeed, the very meaning of the word "to dwell" has changed in recent years. The borders between work and leisure have also become more blurred as more and more people work at home. What kind of space would you personally like to live in? Propose a single-person dwelling which would suit your own unique circumstances. You have complete freedom in all elements - size, ceiling height, functions, architecture, external appearance, etc.
02 评审
[Two-stage Judging]
Design Award judging will be carried out in two stages.
1) Preliminary Judging (closed to the public)
Chief Judge: SHIN AZUMI
Deputy Judge: Masayuki Kurokawa
2) Final Judging (open to the public)
Chief Judge : SHIN AZUMI
Deputy Judge : Masayuki Kurokawa
One judge from each of the research partner corporations proposed topics.
[Judging Method]
1) In the preliminary judging, the two judges will examine the entries in terms of their relevance to the "Universality through Individuality" theme, and will select ten entries in each category. SHIN AZUMI will preside as chief judge, and Masayuki Kurokawa, who is the producer of this program, will act as deputy judge. The chief judge will have the final word on the selection of the winners.
*Successful applicants will be required to refine their proposals and to re-submit them on a CD-ROM.
2)Final judging will take place based on panels and projections of products re-submitted on a CD-ROM. The two judges will be joined by representatives from each of the research partner corporations. All entries will be judged by the full panel of judges.
*The chief judge will head the judging panel, and the deputy judge will act as a moderator during discussions. The discussions will be held in a seminar-like fashion, and will be open to the public.
03 奖金
The following awards will be decided by the judging panel:
- Grand Prix: One (1) entry in each section. Certificate plus prize of 2 million.
- Outstanding Product Awards: Nine (9) entries in each section. Certificate plus prize of 50,000.
04 结果公布
Winners of grand prix and outstanding product awards will be notified, and results will be posted on the DT DESIGN AWARDS website. Please note that details of some entries may not be published due to consideration of the protection of commercialization rights.
05 展览
All entries selected to go through to the final judging will be displayed at the DT DESIGN AWARDS winners' exhibition. Please note that details of some entries may not be displayed due to consideration of the protection of commercialization rights.
06 日程 (Times and Dates are according to Japan time)
October 1, 2006 --- February 20, 2007 Application period
October 1, 2006 --- February 28, 2007 Period for submission of projects
March 1, 2007 --- March 31, 2007 Preliminary judging
March 31, 2007 (tentative) Announcement of results of preliminary judging (only successful applicants to be notified)
Early April 2007 --- Mid May 2007 (tentative) Preparation of entries for final judging
Mid May 2007 --- End of June 2007 (tentative)
Final judging (in public) and open discussion, exhibition of winning entries
07 申请要求
No qualifications required.
* Both individual and group entries will be accepted. The competition is open to all professions (including students), ages and nationalities.
* If entering as a group, please write the name of a group representative.
08 如何申请
Fill all necessary information in the application form on our website, select the relevant topic, and submit the application form. A registration number will be sent by e-mail to the applicant after receipt of the application is confirmed. Please keep this number safe as it is needed (together with an entry password) when submitting your proposal.
Please fill out one application form for each project to be submitted. Multiple projects must be submitted with separate application forms.
* Mobile phone e-mail addresses cannot be accepted. Please make sure that correct e-mail addresses are submitted.
09 提交
[Documents]
1) Preliminary Judging (October 1, 2006 - February 28, 2007)
[Sections A and B]
1. A title which faithfully expresses the concept
2. A 3-D design image showing overall design
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 100kb)
3. A 3-D design image which shows main sections
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 100kb)
4. An annotated illustration which describes the framework and concept of the design
Description must be under 100 characters (50 Japanese characters)
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 300kb)
[Section C]
1. A title which faithfully expresses the concept
2. A main 3-D design image
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 100kb)
3. A diagram (all dimensions in mm) plane view, cross-section etc
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 300kb)
4. An annotated illustration which describes the framework and concept of the design
Description must be under 100 characters
500 x 500 pixels. GIF animation not acceptable
(RGB mode, JPEG format/max 300kb)
* The official language will be English. Applicants able to write Japanese should write in both Japanese and English.
* GIF animation will not be acceptable.
* All file names should be written in half-size Latin characters, and must have an extension (.jpg)
Example: compefile1.jpg
* Please make sure that files are in RGB mode. CMYK images cannot be viewed in some browsers.
2)Final Judging (entries submitted between early April and mid-May 2007)
1. A refined version of images submitted in the preliminary judging stage.
An image which can be blown up to a B1 poster size (728 x 1030mm). The organizers will print out the image and make a panel for the open judging. (RGB mode, JPEG format/GIF animation acceptable)
2. An essay about "Universality through Individuality" for each topic.
* The two judges, SHIN AZUMI and Masayuki Kurokawa, will attach their comments to the entries to be re-submitted.
* GIF animations are acceptable for final judging. If using GIF animation, this must be stated clearly in all submitted media. Please note that, in the case of GIF images, projection may be used during judging and for the exhibition.
* The length of the essay, expressions, number of images and details of media to be submitted will be notified individually to those applicants who have passed the preliminary judging.
[How to Submit Your proposal]
1). Preliminary Judging (Period for Submission: October 1, 2006 - February 28, 2007)
Entries must be submitted via the internet. When you have the title of your proposal and all three images ready, register your entry by following the steps specified in the application form (click "Submit entry" on the website). Do not forget to select the relevant section (A, B or C). After your entry is submitted, we will notify by e-mail that your proposal has been received . Applications by e-mail with attached files will not be accepted. Use one application form for one entry - applicants submitting multiple proposals must submit each one with a separate application form.
2). Final Judging (Period for Submission: Early April - Mid May 2007)
Details will be notified individually to those applicants who have passed the preliminary judging.
[Note]
* Do not include any information in any of the images submitted from which the applicant can be identified.
* All imaging methods are acceptable. Be free to express your ideas in any form - photos of a model, hand-drawn sketches, 3-D computer graphics, etc.
* Commercialized products will not be accepted.
10 Miscellaneous
[Rights]
As a rule, intellectual property rights (copyrights, design rights, etc.) will remain property of the applicant. The applicant must take all necessary steps in this regard. Regardless of whether your entry has won a prize, Butsugaku Research Institute will hold preferential rights for negotiating exclusive intellectual property licence rights for all entries for a period of one (1) year from the announcement of the results of the final judging.
The research partner corporations will not become involved in intellectual property arrangements reached between the organizers (Butsugaku Research Institute) and the applicants. However, should any corporation wish to use an idea proposed by an applicant, the preferential rights for negotiating exclusive intellectual property licence held by Butsugaku Research Institute will be given to that corporation free of charge.
The organizers and partner corporations have full rights to make all proposals public, whether through the website, magazines or any other form of publication.
[Revocation of Awards]
An award may be revoked if it becomes clear, even after the announcement of the winners, that a proposal submitted has been introduced to the public in the past or if there is a suspicion that a proposal violates intellectual property rights (plagiarism).
[Handling of Personal Information]
No personal information passed on when an entry is submitted will be given by Butsugaku Research Institute, Designtope., or any of the three research partner corporations to any third party. Great care will be taken to protect personal information.
11 Privacy Policy
For details of our privacy policy, please click here.
12 详情咨询
Individual questions about the competition, application and other details will not be answered.
(Please see Inquiries FAQ)
Project Committee
compe@designtope.net
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