In services and products, building communities that include players from related fields has become an essential strategy for companies—especially startups—not only for cultivating fans but also for building strong brands.
Why are communities needed, and how can they be expanded? In this article, we explore the diverse value created through communities and how to build them, using the globally active project “NEWVIEW” as a case study.
This article introduces projects that were previously hosted on AWRD.
The Challenge of Japan-Based Startup Companies Aiming for the World Through XR
As the global market for XR (Cross Reality) -including AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) -continues to expand, major corporations have increasingly entered the metaverse space. Amid this trend, one company that has been aiming to grow the XR market globally since 2017 is Psychic VR Lab, the operator of the innovative XR platform STYLY.
With the goal of expanding STYLY’s user base worldwide, Psychic VR Lab partnered with PARCO Co., Ltd. and Loftwork Inc. to launch NEWVIEW, a project dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and showcasing next-generation artists. At the core of this initiative was the creation of global communities that connect users who share a common purpose.
Community Strategies Implemented in the Project
- Hosting a global award program
- Organizing meetups through FabCafe to reach artists from diverse genres around the world
- Showcasing award-winning works globally and holding immersive, experiential exhibitions in Japan
- Launching NEWVIEW SCHOOL, an art school dedicated to learning XR as a comprehensive and integrated art form
The Global Award “NEWVIEW AWARDS”
Sharing award-winning works with the world and hosting immersive, experiential exhibitions in Japan
2021 Grand Prize / Title: “Neo Tengri” Creator: Ardak Mukanova
https://awrd.com/en/award/newviewawards2021/result
As a result of outreach to artists and creators from diverse genres, a total of 622 works from 15 countries worldwide were submitted over the past three years.
In addition to prize money, awardees gained opportunities to further expand their activities, including exhibitions at GALLERY X BY PARCO in Shibuya, Tokyo, and the chance to have their work featured as a program on DOMMUNE.
FabCafe Global・NEWVIEW CYPHER
Community activities open to all creators, fostering experimental works with artists from diverse genres.
NEWVIEW SCHOOL
An art school was established to study XR as a comprehensive art form, providing a platform for discovering, nurturing, connecting, and promoting the next generation of creators.
A creative platform that energizes community building
AWRD is an open platform that connects individuals’ creativity and ideas with projects around the world. Through AWRD, companies and society can pose challenging questions to creators, whose creativity generates ideas and solutions that advance society. It provides creators with opportunities to thrive while enabling companies and communities to create new value—fostering a truly open collaboration.
Recommended for:
- Those who want to PR new products or projects to the world from a unique perspective
- Those aiming for global reach by connecting with communities worldwide
- Those looking to expand awareness of new products or services
Features of AWRD:
- Connects people and enables the creation of new value
- Supports planning and design of themes and entire projects tailored to specific challenges
- Innovation hub connecting designers, scientists, and more
- Global network of over 30,000 creators
- 20+ years of experience managing creator platforms
- Project experience with companies such as Discovery Japan Inc., Olympus Corporation, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Panasonic Corporation, and more
- Entire process from call for entries to judging and announcement completed on the online platform
- Supports both Japanese and English, allowing submissions from around the world
AWRD is an open call platform for co-creation where companies, local governments, and creators collaborate on diverse themes.
By inviting projects and talent from around the world, it enables initiatives in business development, community co-creation, and startup support through open innovation.
From project design to operational support, AWRD accompanies initiatives every step of the way, fostering co-creation that opens up value to society.
Start with a trial. Why not explore AWRD?
Whether you’re interested in trying out AWRD, requesting a collaboration, or have questions about past projects, feel free to get in touch with us to learn more about the platform.
Contact us / Request a consultation here