Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. About how to apply 2. About the Application Content 3. About Ishigaki 4. Application and Review 5. If the plan is selected
1. About how to apply
Q. How do I register an account for Loftwork.com? A. Please register here. You can easily register with a Facebook account or Twitter account.
Q. I do not know how to upload my application sheet. A. Carefully check how to apply here. If you still cannot solve the problem, please contact [[[editors@loftwork.com]]].
Q. Why is part of what I posted displayed on the site? A. Through this contest we aim to promote understanding of Ishigaki and hope to be inspired by the applicants’ ideas through publicly collecting travel plans online (an open competition format). In addition, the open competition format creates an opportunity for many people to become involved, as opposed to a closed competition format where the application status and overall application content is unknown and only the evaluation results are publicized. However, please rest assured that we will not publicize any of the applicants’ personal information.
Q. What is the Creative Commons License? A. It is a copyright rule for the Internet age, in which the creator can flexibly set the range of rights for created works. When use of the Creative Commons License is promoted, creators can post works to the Internet with confidence, and users can share creators’ works without infringing on the intent of the creator, so propagation of creativity flourishes and creative development is promoted around the world. For more information, please see the Creative Commons Japan site.
Q. Is it possible to apply with video, rather than sketches or photos? A. This contest will ultimately be judged by the panel of judges based on the Concept Sheet (Application Form). Please be sure to include images or visuals that can be seen on the Application Form. There is no problem with including other works as supplementary materials, such as a URL, but these will only be used as references. Please understand that judgment will be based on the Application Form.
2. About the Application Content
Q. Is it possible to include other islands in the Yaeyama Islands (Taketomi, Kuroshima, Iriomote, etc.) in the travel plan? A. If it is a plan that connects to the trip concept via Ishigaki, it is fine to include other islands.
Q. Is there a limit to the budget for the travel plan? A. There is no budget for the travel plan you submit, but there is a maximum price for implementing the trip after it is selected (up to ￥100,000, including travel and accommodation expenses). If this budget is exceeded, we will consult with the adopters and organizers to determine a program that can be implemented within the budget.
Q. Is it possible to apply as a group of several people or organization? A. Yes, it is possible at the time of application. Please indicate the representative’s name or organization name when you apply. However, when actually implementing the Ishigaki travel plan, the project can only pay for the costs of one person. Thank you for your understanding.
Q. Do I need to incorporate the three chosen keywords into the concept statement? A. It is fine as long as the keywords are related to the contents of the travel plan. There is no need to include them in the concept statement. For example, if you choose the keywords “Ishigaki’s mountains,” “gift,” and “eat,” there is no need to string the words together in the concept as in “A trip to eat gifts from Ishigaki’s mountains.” Ultimately it is fine as long as the content or images of the trip invoke the keywords. The keywords are intended to be used as inspiration and hints.
Q. Can I choose words indicative of Ishigaki other than the “24 Keywords”? A. You are free to use your own expressions in the specific content or concept statement, but be sure to choose three of the specified keywords and write them on the keyword section of the application form.
Q. Do I need to incorporate specific sites and tourist facilities? A. As long as there are specific experiences, you do not necessarily have to include specific names of places or facilities. However, if you plan details that can only be experienced at particular locations, please provide specifics as much as possible.
Q. Can I apply with content that I do not know whether or not I can implement? A. This contest is not looking for travel plans that are impossible to implement. However, if they can be implemented through the cooperation of people or specialists related to Ishigaki, please include a statement to that effect.
Q. Should I estimate the number of nights for the trip? A. There are no requirements about the number of days of the stay. We would like for you to include specific details about the unique experiences you can have on Ishigaki in your travel plan, so please suggest a length based on this.
3. About Ishigaki
Q. I have never been to Ishigaki. Should I go? A. We look forward to applications from those who have never been to Ishigaki as well.
Q. How should I research Ishigaki? A. There are links to related sites from the “24 Keywords.” Please also research using the Ishigaki Island Tourism Exchange Association and other information.
Q. The time for the visit after it is selected is February to March. Can I apply with a plan for another season? A. Of course, that would be fine. However, please understand that depending upon the weather, there may be portions of the selected plan that cannot be implemented.
4. Application and Review
Q. Is it possible to apply with multiple travel plans? How many times can I apply? A. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply.
Q. Please tell me the application schedule. A. It is explained in the application guidelines. If there are changes, they will be noted on the USIO Design Project official site and Loftwork.com
Q. If I am able to register work even after the deadline, will it be judged? A. It will not. We use the Loftwork.com portfolio function, so there is no time limit for uploads, but for the contest, we will only evaluate works that were uploaded before the deadline. This will be posted on the web site at the deadline, so please take note.
5. If the plan is selected
Q. If selected, will all of the travel plans be implemented? A. We plan to implement the selected plans as much as possible. However, we expect to improve upon the ideas slightly, recruit collaborators to implement the trip, and employ approaches to execute the plan on site. We plan to have the selected designers think of new trip designs with the USIO Design Project.
Q. If the plan is commercialized, will the creator receive a profit margin? A. The only prize/benefit of having your travel plan selected is implementing your plan on site. If it is actually commercialized locally as a hands-on program, depending upon the the level of involvement between the commercialization and the trip designer and content, those selected may enter into a contract after individual consultation with the sales firm (undecided), so this is still undecided.
Q. After the selection, is it possible to freely choose the timing for the Ishigaki visit? A. We plan to have you choose from among potential dates. Please note that the potential dates are narrowed down to some extent due to availability on the island, island weather, etc. Individual adjustments will be made between the USIO Design Project and those selected.
