We invite exhibition proposals to be realized at the Design Gallery 1953. Submissions may cover any genre related to your own design work, including product design, graphic design, architecture, and more.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. 1. Open to applicants of all nationalities and ages.
   (Please note that all communication with the JDC team and all exhibition materials must be provided in Japanese.)
2. 2. Applications may be submitted by either individuals or groups.
3. 3. Applicants must agree to these guidelines and be able to responsibly carry out all aspects of the exhibition, from preparation through completion.

Judging will be carried out by members of the Japan Design Committee, who will select the 2 winning entries.

Announcement of Results: The results will be announced on the official website.

The purpose of this award is to advance the ideas, scope, and quality of design with a forward-looking perspective through exhibitions held at the Design Gallery 1953. Entries will be evaluated based on the following four criteria:

1. 1. Proposal: Originality and impact in presenting new perspectives, fields, or processes.
2. 2. Concept: The quality and clarity of the exhibition concept.
3. 3. Design Quality: The overall quality and level of completion of the exhibition and exhibited work.
4. 4. Feasibility: The feasibility of realizing the exhibition within Design Gallery 1953.

Please submit the following application materials to the email address below. Be sure to review the official website and Application Guidelines for full details.

1. 1. Entry Form (Individual / Group) Please download the PDF form using the button below.
2. 2. Proposal (A4 landscape format, free layout, maximum 10 pages) The proposal document must include the following:
   1. a. Exhibition Title
      The exhibition title should follow the format below, consisting of the organizer’s name and the theme: “[Name of Organizer] : [Exhibition Theme]”
      Examples: “Masahiro Mori: Japanese Tableware Exhibition”, “LAMY: Precision in German
      Design”
   2. b. Theme and Objective of the Exhibition
   3. c. Proposal / Key Ideas Presented by the Exhibition
   4. d. Exhibited Work, Exhibition Concept, and Installation Plan (including drawings and renderings)
   5. e. Operations, Schedule, and Budget for realizing the exhibition
   6. f. Related Programs and Activities (associated events, merchandise, etc.)
3. 3. Portfolio of Previous Work
   Maximum 5 pages. Links are not accepted.

Send your completed form to:
award@designcommittee.jp

Application Opens: Wednesday 18 February 2026, 10:00

Application Deadline: Friday 3 July 2026, 20:00

Judging Period: August 2026

Announcement of Results: Mid-September 2026

Exhibition Dates:

a. Wednesday 17 February – Monday 12 April, 2027

b. Wednesday 14 April – Monday 7 June, 2027

The organizer reserves the right to change the schedule or other details without prior notice. Any updates will be announced on the official website.

1. 1. All costs related to the exhibition work, planning, and production shall be covered by the applicant.
2. 2. As a general rule, construction and installation costs related to the exhibition will be covered by the organizer, the Japan Design Committee, within the allocated budget.
3. 3. No venue fee will be charged. However, separate consultation will be required for the use of retail or merchandise spaces.
4. 4. Please refer to the appendix for details regarding the expenses covered by the Japan Design Committee.

1. 1. Submitted Work
   1. Applications containing any of the following will be deemed invalid or subject to disqualification:
      1. a. False information provided in the application form
      2. b. Inability to be contacted due to errors in the application form
      3. c. Works that may be considered plagiarized or imitative
      4. d. Works containing discrimination or defamation, or otherwise contrary to public order and morals, or in violation of applicable laws and regulations
      5. e. Works that infringe, or may infringe, the trademark rights, copyright, portrait rights, or other rights of third parties.
2. 2. Prohibited Activities in the Exhibition Space
   1. a. Use of hazardous materials (fire and open flames are strictly prohibited; sharp objects must be properly cased), strongly odorous substances, or materials at risk of decay
   2. b. Installations that cannot be restored to their original condition
   3. c. Night-time installation work requiring the presence of award recipients
   4. d. Installation or decoration on ceilings or floors
   5. e. Exceeding the weight limit of ceiling-mounted rail systems (maximum 3 kg per fixture)
   6. f. Installations that obstruct required circulation paths (a minimum 900 mm-wide wheelchair-accessible path must be maintained)
   7. g. Installations that block the opening and closing of stock doors (see drawings)
   8. h. Any loud activities (construction or performance) during store opening hours at Matsuya Ginza
   9. i. Painting work inside the gallery or within the store premises
   10. j. Use of equipment with excessive power consumption
   11. k. Installations that fully block the two entrances / exits (see drawings)
3. 3. Public Relations and Promotion
   1. a. Details of the exhibition proposals will be announced on the official website and social media channels of the Japan Design Committee, as well as in printed materials. Any additional promotional costs shall be borne by the applicant. When carrying out applicant-funded promotions, please ensure compliance with the advertising and promotional guidelines of the venue operator, Matsuya Co., Ltd., in advance.
   2. b. Award recipients and winning organizations agree, as a condition of participation, that the organizer (Japan Design Committee) may photograph the exhibited works and use such images for publicity purposes. They grant the organizer an unrestricted, royalty-free, and perpetual right to use these materials across various media for promotional purposes. In addition, recipients agree to waive the exercise of moral rights and grant permission for secondary use under Articles 27 and 28 of the Copyright Act.
4. 4. Handling of Personal Information
   1. a. Personal information entered at the time of application will be used to respond to inquiries and for communications from the JDC team.
   2. b. When announcing screening results and holding exhibitions, the applicant’s name and other details may be disclosed.
   3. c. For further details regarding the handling of personal information, please refer to the Committee’s Privacy Policy. By submitting an application, you are deemed to have agreed to this Privacy Policy.
5. 5. Other Matters
   1. a. The organizers may change the schedule or other details without prior notice. In such cases, the information will be posted on the official website.
   2. b. The organizers may contact applicants regarding submitted proposals prior to the screening process.
   3. c. Individual inquiries regarding screening results will not be accepted.
   4. d. If any infringement of intellectual property rights is found in a submitted proposal or work after an award has been granted, the award may be revoked. Furthermore, if any damage is incurred by the organizers or sponsors, the award recipient may be held liable for damages.