1 Overview of the Product Design Category
 
1-1. Product Design Category
The Product Design Category evaluates design quality for all industrially produced products including sporting goods, household items, home appliances, furniture, passenger cars, IT devices, equipment and facilities for office, industry, medical and public applications, as well as software.

1-2. Entries
Products being sold in Japan or abroad at the time of the application, or products with plans to be marketed and for which it is possible to be publicized as having received a Good Design Award on October 3, Monday, 2005.
If an announcement on October 3, 2005 would cause difficulty, it is possible to postpone the announcement until December 31, Saturday, 2005.
 
1-3. Applicants
Provider or design company of the product entered.
1) "Provider" refers to the company that bears responsibility of manufacturing the product entered.
2) The application may be in multiple names in the case multiple companies jointly developed the product.
3) In the case the applicant is a design company, please apply together with the provider of the product entered, or please submit a letter of consent from the provider regarding the entry to the organizer by July 22, Friday.
 
1-4. Screening
Screening for the Product Design Category is conducted by dividing the entries into product categories and forming screening units made up of multiple jury members.
The first screening is conducted based on materials for the entry submitted with the application.
The second screening is conducted based, in principle, on the actual item and submitted materials for entries subject to the second screening (entries that passed the first screening and those submitted on the recommendation of the Jury).
 
For some of the entries subject to the second screening, on the request of the screening unit, the applicant may be asked to provide the actual item before the second screening is held, or a screening based on a presentation may be conducted.
 
2 Schedule of Application and Other Procedures
"*" mark indicates procedures followed by the applicant.
 
< Application Stage >
  May 12, Thursday Start of Application
* June 15, Wednesday Deadline for applications
* June 21, Tuesday Deadline for submitting the Application Confirmation Form
 
< First Screening Stage >
  June 22, Wednesday ? July 12, Tuesday First screening period
  July 13, Wednesday Notification of results of first screening
* July 13, Wednesday ? July 22, Friday Period for finalizing information for public release and exhibition applications
* July 15, Friday Deadline for payment of first screening fee
* July 22, Friday Deadline for submission of the Letter of Application Consent
 
< Second Screening and Good Design Presentation Stage >
  July 25, Monday ? September 14, Wednesday Second screening period
  August 1, Monday ? September 9, Friday Period for publication of entries subject to the second screening on the organizer's website
* August 3, Wednesday Due date to contact shipping forwarder Kintetsu Express
* August 15, Monday Deadline for payment of second screening fee and exhibit space fee
* August 23, Tuesday Transport of entries to the Good Design Presentation
  August 24, Wednesday ? August 25, Thursday Second screening
  August 25, Thursday ? August 27, Saturday Good Design Presentation open to the public
* August 27, Saturday  Transport of entries from the Good Design Presentation
 
< Announcement Stage >
  September 15, Thursday Notification of results of second screening
* September 15, Thursday ? September 22, Thursday Period for finalizing information for public release and information to be inscribed on award certificates
  Late September Special Prize Adjudication
  October 3, Monday Awards announcement and notification of final results
  October 3, Monday ? October 31, Monday Period for the Good Design PR Campaign
  October 25, Tuesday Selection of the Good Design Grand Prize and awards ceremony
* October 31, Monday Deadline for payment of display (exhibit accoutrements) fee for the Good Design Presentation
* November 30, Wednesday Deadline for payment of yearbook publication fee
     
  Late January 2006 Publication of yearbook
 
3 Details of Application and Other Procedures
 
3-1. Application Stage
Application Procedures
The application reception period is from May 12, Thursday, to June 15, Wednesday, 2005.
Applicants follow the four steps indicated below through the Good Design Awards website during the application reception period.
(1) Company Registration..... Enter information on the company submitting the application.
(2) Entry Registration..... Enter basic information such as the name of the entry.
(3) Registration of Detailed Information on the Entry..... Enter information for screening purposes on entries that have been registered.
(4) Finalize Application..... Finalize application for entries for which detailed information has been registered.
 
Once the above steps have been completed, submit the Application Confirmation Form to the organizer by June 21, Tuesday.
* Details on procedures for applying via the website are listed in Internet Application.
 
Billing for First Screening Fee
After the deadline for accepting entries has passed, the organizer mails a bill for the first screening fee (10,500 yen per entry) to the applicant.
The applicant pays the first screening fee to the organizer by July 15, Friday.
 
3-2. Between First Screening and Second Screening
Notification of First Screening Results
The organizer notifies applicants as to the results of the first screening via the Good Design Awards website on July 13, Wednesday. Results of the first screening are also mailed to applicants.
 
Finalization of Applications to Exhibit at the Good Design Presentation
The applicant finalizes the application to exhibit entries subject to the second screening at the Good Design Presentation via the Good Design Awards website during the period from July 13, Wednesday to July 22, Friday. As necessary, the applicant may opt out of exhibiting to the general public at the Good Design Presentation. Following this, the organizer determines the entries subject to the second screening.
Details on exhibiting are contained in the Exhibition Guideline.
 
Finalization of Information for Public Release
The applicant finalizes information for public release through the Good Design Awards website for entries subject to the second screening during the period from July 13, Wednesday to July 22, Friday.

Billing for Second Screening Fee and Exhibition Fee
Following the deadline for exhibition applications, the organizer mails a bill to the applicant for the second screening fee (31,500 yen per entry) and the exhibit space fee.
The applicant pays the second screening fee and the exhibit space fee to the organizer by August 15, Monday.
Of the exhibition fees, the bill for the display (accoutrements) fee is sent by mail by the organizer in late September.
 
3-3. Preparations for the Good Design Presentation
The organizer mails transporting guideline documents to the applicant on July 13, Wednesday. The guide contains detailed information on transporting entries subject to the second screening to and from the exhibition.
The applicant should make preparations for exhibiting at the Good Design Presentation and for transporting entries to and from the site by referring to the Exhibition Guideline and the transporting guideline documents.
 
3-4. Holding the Good Design Presentation
The organizer holds the Good Design Presentation at Tokyo Big Sight from August 24, Wednesday to August 27, Saturday, 2005. The Good Design Presentation is closed to the public on August 24, Wednesday and August 25, Thursday for the Good Design Awards Jury to conduct the second screening. The presentation is open to the public following the screening on August 25, Thursday until August 27, Saturday.
The applicant transports entries to the site on August 23, Tuesday, conducts the exhibition, and removes the exhibit and transports it out on Saturday, August 27.
 
3-5. After Second Screening
Notification of Second Screening Results
The organizer notifies applicants as to the results of the second screening on September 15, Thursday, via the Good Design Awards website.
 
Finalization of Information for Public Release and Information Appearing on Award Certificates and Yearbook
For entries subject to the second screening that passed the screening, the applicant finalizes information to be announced on October 3, Monday and information to appear on award certificates via the Good Design Awards website during the period from September 15, Thursday to September 22, Thursday.
 
Exhibition of Gold Prize Candidates
For entries subject to the second screening that have been made Gold Prize candidates in the screening, the applicant may be asked to hold an exhibition for Special Prize Adjudication, which is held in late September.

Billing for Display Accoutrements Fee
The organizer mails the applicant a bill in late September for accoutrements fees (fees for exhibition fixtures and furniture, electricity usage, etc.) for the exhibition.
The bill for the accoutrements fee is issued by Tanseisha Co., Ltd., a co-organizer of the Good Design Presentation.
The applicant pays the exhibit accoutrements fee to Tanseisha Co., Ltd. by October 31, Monday.
 
Notification of Evaluation Information
The organizer notifies award winners regarding evaluation information on entries that have passed the second screening in late September through the Good Design Awards website.
 
Notification of Final Results and Awards Announcement
The organizer notifies award winners of the final results of the screening on October 3, Monday, 2005 through the Good Design Awards website. Final results are also mailed to the award winners.
On the same day as notification regarding final results, the organizer announces award results for 2005, except for the Grand Prize, through a press conference and the organizer's website.
If announcement on October 3, Monday, 2005 would cause difficulty for reasons such as that the product has not been publicly marketed, the announcement may be delayed until December 31, Saturday, 2005.
 
Use of the G-Mark
After announcement of the awards, award winners may use the G-Mark on products that have won a Good Design Award. Please use the G-Mark to broadly promote the benefits of winning an award.
Use of the G-Mark is not free of charge. For details, refer to the Guide to Using G-mark.
 
Good Design PR Campaign
Every year the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry designates October "Design Month" and promotes activities that advance design. In affirmation of Design Month, the organizer holds its Good Design PR Campaign in the period from the day awards are announced (October 3) to October 31, during which it develops a variety of publicity activities.
During the period of this campaign, award winners may use the G-Mark free of charge.

Exhibition of Grand Prize Candidates and Holding of Presentations
Award winners that have been made candidates for the Grand Prize at the Special Prize Adjudication are exhibited at the site of the awards ceremony, and presentations are given by the award recipients.
 
Presentation of Award Certificates
The organizer presents award certificates to award recipients at the awards ceremony held on October 25, Tuesday. Recipients of Good Design Award special prizes are additionally presented with special prize award certificates and trophies.
 
4 Fees Related to the Good Design Awards
 
Fees related to the Good Design Awards and payment deadlines are as follows.
For screening fees and the exhibition fees, a bill is issued by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.
 
First screening (all entries)
First screening fee (10,500 yen per entry)
Payment deadline: July 15, Friday, 2005
 
Second screening and Good Design Presentation (all entries subject to second screening)
Second screening fee (31,500 yen per entry subject to second screening) plus exhibit space fee (fee depends on content of application)
Payment deadline: August 15, Monday, 2005
 
Display (exhibit accoutrements) fee (fee depends on content of application)
Payment deadline: October 31, Monday, 2005
The bill for the display fee (exhibit furniture and fixtures, display tables, power supply, carpets, and spotlights) is issued by Tanseisha Co., Ltd., a co-organizer of the Good Design Presentation.
* Details on exhibition fees are contained in the Exhibition Guideline.
 
Yearbook publication (all award winner)
Yearbook publication fee (10,500 yen per entry)
Payment deadline: November 30, Wednesday, 2005
 
G-Mark usage (optional)
The G-Mark usage fee depends on the sales price of the award winning product, and is from 105,000 yen to 1,050,000 yen annually per entry.
Details are listed in the Guide to Using G-mark.
 
5 Withdrawing Applications
 
When suspending (withdrawing) the application after the application deadline due to a reason attributable to the applicant, the applicant should make sure to contact the organizer by email or fax.
When an application is withdrawn, the bill is handled as follows.
 
The first screening fee:
The first screening fee is not refunded if withdrawing the application on or after June 21, Tuesday No exceptions.
 
The second screening fee (including fees related to display)
The second screening fee and fees related to display are not refunded if withdrawing the application on or after July 22, Friday. No exceptions.

6 Supplementary Information
 
Submission of the Entry Certificate and Letter of Application Consent
After finalizing the application for each entry through the Good Design Awards website, the applicant submits the Entry Certificate by facsimile to the organizer by June 21, Tuesday. Submission of the confirmation form is for the purpose of confirming the identity of the applicant. Follow the steps on the Company Navigation Page, print out the Entry Certificate, affix your seal or signature and submit it. When a design company applies independently, the applicant submits by mail a Letter of Application Consent of the provider by July 22, Friday, for identifying the manufacturing responsibility for the product entered.
 
Requests from Screening Units Ahead of Second Screening The following kind of requests may be made by the screening units, which are responsible for judging, regarding entries subject to the second screening. Responding to such requests is voluntary, but please cooperate to the extent possible in order to facilitate screening. When there is a request, the organizer contacts in advance only the relevant applicants.
 
1) Provision of Actual Item in Advance
In particular for products like cell phones and software, applicants are sometimes requested to submit the actual item and user's manual, or the equivalents, before the second screening.
 
2) Conducting Screening via a Presentation
Applicants are sometimes asked to explain verbally the characteristics and design qualities of entries subject to the second screening to the members of the Jury. Screening units decide on the target and format of presentations and the organizer conveys that information to the relevant applicants.
The applicant bears the costs related to transportation, etc. for this screening.
 
3) Submission of Additional Documents
Applicants may be requested to submit test data on quality, performance, safety, etc., user's manuals, or documents showing usage environment and operating conditions, etc.
 
Exhibiting for the Second Screening
Applicants should plan for the exhibition after considering the following points.
Details can be found in the Exhibition Guideline.
 
1) Establishment of Normal Usage Conditions
In order to facilitate the understanding of jury members with respect to entries subject to the second screening, the applicant should arrange the exhibit so that "normal" usage conditions can be comprehended. While this is not entirely applicable to household goods and other general products entered, for electronic and information devices in particular whose design appeal is the interface, the exhibition should be arranged so that jury members can use the product.

2) Exhibition of Related Materials
When it is difficult for jury members to comprehend the "normal" usage conditions, please show usage conditions by exhibiting related materials necessary to this end. In particular, for industrial machinery and medical devices, exhibit materials (including video, etc.) on normal usage conditions, including installation, usage, working and operating conditions.
 
Panel Exhibitions Instead of Actual Items
In the case it is difficult to transport actual items subject to the second screening to the Good Design Presentation site, applicants may conduct a panel exhibition instead of displaying the actual product. The panels should straightforwardly explain photos and design qualities of the entered product. There should be at least one sheet, and should be in any of the following sizes.
B2 Size (used horizontally) [515 mm (vert.) x 728 mm (horiz.)]
B1 Size (used vertically) [1,030 mm (vert.) x 728 mm (horiz.)]
When exhibiting with panels, select "Panel Display" when applying to exhibit at the Good Design Presentation.

When Not Exhibiting to the Public
For products yet to be announced among those subject to the second screening, the applicant may opt out of exhibiting for the general public at the Good Design Presentation.
For these entries, select "Do not accept publication" in the section of selection of publication when applying to exhibit at the Good Design Presentation.
 
Applying for Exhibit Space and Accoutrements
Exhibit space at the Good Design Presentation for entries subject to the second screening is provided by the organizer to applicants for a fee in units of one square meter. In principle, exhibit accoutrements are arranged by the applicant.
However, in order to facilitate applicant exhibitions, the organizer makes available exhibit accoutrements, fixtures and equipment (arrangement and setup of display tables, walls, power supplies, carpets, and spotlights, etc.).
Details on exhibition applications are contained in the Exhibition Guideline. The applicant conducts the exhibition application via the Good Design Awards website during the period from July 13, Wednesday to July 22, Friday.

Payment of Fees Related to the Good Design Awards
The organizer mails bills for screening fees, etc. in line with the screening stage. The applicant pays these fees by the specified due dates. Bank transfer service fees are paid by the applicant.
If payment will be late, be sure to contact the organizer by email or fax before the payment due date.
If a payment is postponed unilaterally, screening of that entry may not be conducted.

* Please see Inquiry for information on contacts and where to submit materials.
* All fees listed in these guidelines are inclusive of tax.