Creative Co-Creation at the "Year End Party 2024": AWRD Exhibition Report

On Friday, December 6, 2024, the Year End Party 2024 (YEP) was held at Loftwork in Shibuya. At the AWRD booth, we showcased part of the project "Sense of the Unseen Vol.1 Ghost Stories and Nitrogen", which gained attention for addressing environmental issues related to nitrogen through the lens of ghost stories. Visitors had the chance to experience this unique approach. We will report on the atmosphere of the event, incorporating feedback from attendees.

WED, DEC 11, 2024

Report

Shizuka Tatsuno Discusses the Producers' and Stories of Materials

In the AWRD creator interview series, we feature Shizuka Tatsuno, a creative director and designer. She shares insights into the creative process behind her art projects, which she has been working on since 2021, as well as her unique perspectives on creative direction.

MON, NOV 25, 2024

Interview

Textile Artist Marina Fernández Ramos / Series 'AWRD meets GLOBAL CREATORS' Vol.4

The new series “AWRD meets GLOBAL CREATORS” (#AMGC) from "AWRD," a platform that connects creators with projects, is now in its third installment. This time, we feature Marina Fernández Ramos, an architect and designer from Spain. Marina works on projects that try to connect objects, species and spaces, through cooperative processes.

MON, OCT 21, 2024

#amgc

AI & Digital Fashion Researcher, Kanji Kyoda / #AMGC Vol.3

The new series “AWRD meets GLOBAL CREATORS” (#AMGC) from "AWRD," a platform that connects creators with projects, is now in its third installment. This time, we feature AI and digital fashion researcher Kanji Kyoda. He is gaining attention for his unique style of "hacking" materials that are challenging to incorporate into fashion, transforming them into new fashion statements. We spoke with Kanji about his ever-evolving creative work and the inspirations behind it.

MON, SEP 09, 2024

#amgc

Photographer #ISO1638400 / #AMGC Vol.2

The new series "AWRD meets GLOBAL CREATORS" (#AMGC) by AWRD, a platform that connects creators and projects, is back with its second installment featuring photographer #ISO1638400 (Isoichirokusanhachiyonreirei), also known as Iso. Iso's body of work, which is unified by a monochrome palette, combines a noise-like texture and the analog feel of a film camera with digital precision and creativity. This fusion results in pieces that are both mystical and painterly. We had the opportunity to speak with Iso, who brings a fresh perspective and innovative techniques to contemporary photography, about his work and himself.

THU, AUG 29, 2024

#amgc

3DCG Artist Luna Woelle / #AMGC Vol.1

The new series "AWRD meets GLOBAL CREATORS" (#AMGC) from the platform "AWRD," which connects creators and projects. Under the theme of 'New Sensibilities,' we spotlight up-and-coming creators from around the world who are active in various fields, such as design and art, exploring their work and the unique cultures of their respective countries. For the inaugural edition, we feature Luna Woelle. After studying graphic design in her home country of Slovenia, Luna came to Japan to attend a culinary school specializing in Japanese cuisine. Since the pandemic, she has returned to digital art and is now active as a 3DCG artist, as well as expanding her career as a DJ. Slovenia in Central Europe and Japan, located in the Far East from a European perspective—through Luna's activities and works, we explore the allure and differences in creativity that connect these two countries.

MON, AUG 19, 2024

#amgc

Report on the crQlr Awards Exhibition Tour: Exploring "New Relationship Design"

This year, the crQlr Awards Exhibition toured five cities in Japan and abroad, aiming to make circular design—a critical component in achieving a circular economy—more accessible to the public. The exhibition showcased award-winning projects from the crQlr Awards, which were established to promote and celebrate sustainable design.

WED, AUG 07, 2024

Event Report

Air pollution control and the circular economy by ecoLogicStudio, a sustainable building

Interview series by AWRD, a platform connecting creators and projects. It focuses on creators who have expanded their activities through the awards. This time, we interview Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto of ecoLogicStudio, architects and designers based between London and Turin.

TUE, AUG 06, 2024

Interview

tupera tupera's Recommendations for Trying : Creativity Born from Diverse Approaches and Communication

In the AWRD creator interview series, we feature tupera tupera, a creative duo known for their varied activities centered around picture books. As they celebrate their 21st anniversary, they reflect on their current exhibition alongside past projects while sharing their perspectives on living beings, including humans and animals, and their approach to creativity.

WED, MAY 15, 2024

Interview

Year End Party 2023: AWRD Exhibition Report featuring Award-Winning Artists

On December 8, 2023, Loftwork Inc. hosted the "Year End Party 2023 (YEP)" in Shibuya. This year's theme, "GATE", aimed to act as a catalyst for new stories, fostering encounters and interactions with people from beyond the gate. Loftwork members from various teams curated exhibitions and attended to visitors.

TUE, APR 16, 2024

Report

Crossing Fields to Create Smiles: The Innovative Designs of Kohei Fujiwara (SEINIKAKU DESIGN)

As part of the interview series of AWRD, a platform connecting creators and projects, we spoke to creators who have expanded their activities through awards. This time, we spoke to designer Kohei Fujiwara (SEINIKAKU DESIGN), who won the second prize in the “Exploring the Gentleness of Nature AWARD”.

THU, FEB 22, 2024

Interview

At the intersection of physical materials and digital realms, Guillaume Slizewicz translates societal issues through his works.

This is part of the interview series by the platform "AWRD," connecting creators and projects. In this series, we interview creators who have expanded the scope of their activities through awards. This time, we had the opportunity to speak with designer Guillaume Slizewicz, who was selected for the award-winning project at "crQlr Awards 2021."

TUE, JAN 30, 2024

Interview

Love the earth, eat the earth. Dutch-based artist 'masharu' continues to follow 'earth-eating' around the world.

As part of the interview series by AWRD, a platform connecting creators and projects, we present a series of discussions with creators who have expanded their impact through awards. In this edition, we had the opportunity to speak with masharu, the founder of 'Museum of Edible Earth' and an artist who won the Grand Prize at the 'YouFab Global Creative Awards 2021', about the award-winning piece.

MON, DEC 18, 2023

Interview

Simplify AWRD Submissions with Instagram!

Instagram → AWRD is a feature that enables you to effortlessly enter AWRD competitions by using mentions and hashtags on Instagram.

THU, SEP 07, 2023

Topic

The award-winning works from three AWRD projects showcased at the Loftwork Year End Party 2022

On December 9th, 2022, the Year End Party was held at the Loftwork office in Shibuya, Tokyo. As the creative platform of Loftwork inc., AWRD held a special one-day exhibition.

TUE, DEC 20, 2022

Report

What is wellbeing from the viewpoint of materials? "Material Driven Innovation Award" Screening Event Report Part II

This is the second part of the "Material Driven Innovation Award" judging panel report. In this second part, we will focus on the winning materials selected at the online judging sessions held in Japan and global.

THU, MAY 19, 2022

Report

What is wellbeing from the viewpoint of materials?「Material Driven Innovation Award」Screening Event Report: Part I

The Material Driven Innovation Award 2022, a material award that explores the new value of materials, was announced on April 19. In this report (Part 1), we present a discussion on "wellbeing" as captured by the judges, who are active on the front lines of their respective fields.

THU, MAY 19, 2022

Report

“It Starts with the Environment”: Aesop’s Frederic Seiller Appointed New Judge for 2022 Material Driven Innovation Award

As we gear up for the inaugural Material Driven Innovation Award, new judge and CEO of Aesop Asia Frederic Seiller talks about his company’s unique philosophy, the demand for material innovations in the industry, and the well-being of our planet.

THU, MAR 03, 2022

Interview

Update Notices for Privacy Policy Changes

We have revised the AWRD Privacy Policy, as detailed in here.

TUE, MAR 01, 2022

The Yaoya Project: Japanese manufacturers use Taiwan as a launchpad for new ideas

Eight traditional Japanese manufacturing companies are taken to Taipei, Taiwan to develop new product ideas for the local market in this collaboration between Osaka’s Yao city and Loftwork, as a way to step out the comfort zone and ‘break the bias’.

TUE, MAR 03, 2020

Report

The Story Behind the “Made in Japan” World-class Manufacturing Quality of the／YAOYA PROJECT

An interview with the participants of the YAOYA PROJECT, a project whose purpose is to spread the manufacturing of Yao city across the world. Before the exhibition event in Taiwan, we were able to talk with representative director of OTSU Co.,LTD., Mr. Hirotaka Kajihara, who participated as a business operator, as well as Mr. Takaomi Okajima of the planning and development department, and Mr. Kunikazu Hamanishi of Hamanishi DESIGN, selected unanimously by the judges. We will deliver the story behind this world-class "Made in Japan" manufacturing quality.

TUE, FEB 18, 2020

Interview

Undercover report! An urgent examination of "Shibuya QWS"! 〜How is everyone hacking this new facility?〜 public review board

In November 2019, Shibuya Scramble Square opened directly above Shibuya Station. On the 15th floor is "Shibuya QWS", a joint, members-only facility that has received attention from a wide range of fields including highly perceptive business people.

MON, DEC 09, 2019

Report

3 points for a successful pitch event

By limiting the amount of time for each presentation, pitch events can be used to take clear messages from many different speakers.For the audience, who want to see new ideas and meet new people, pitch events allow their desire to meet many different speakers at once to become a reality. Speakers can also come into contact with many different ideas, receive motivation and encouragement, and gain hints that can help them with their own businesses.

FRI, JUL 19, 2019

Topic

6 points for running a hackathon successfully

Hackathons that make use of that scheme and involve people active in various regions have permeated the scene as an event that creates results that exceed expectations, such as employing external ideas to solve corporations' problems or for new businesses.

THU, MAY 30, 2019

Topic

5 Points That Award Competition Planners Should Get Down!

In these quickly changing times when people's values are becoming more diverse, "award competitions" are being incorporated in businesses as engines for giving form to the core of certain subjects while simultaneously promoting innovation. As such, they are gathering renewed attention as methods for "open innovation."

THU, MAY 09, 2019

Topic

Interview：Always Searching for Writers to Connect Society with Art and Break New Ground in the Field of Art Criticism / Teiya Iwabuchi, Editor-in-Chief of Bijutsu Techo

Since Bijutsu Techo’s Art Critic Recruitment Contest’s inception in 1954, it has been looking to introduce the next generation of art critics and allow their new talents to blossom. In honor of Bijutsu Techo’s 70th year anniversary, it will be hosting its 16th Art Critic Recruitment Contest. Today, we will be looking back at the history of Bijutsu Techo and its Art Critic Recruitment Contest through an interview with the editor-in-chief Teiya Iwabuchi.

MON, JAN 07, 2019

Interview

Interview:When facing materials, “light over heavy, white over black.” I’m on a quest to find value that only I can offer. / Shirokane 5-chome Awards, Jewelry & Craft Division Grand Prix - Tamae Ueshima

KIGI x OFS presents an interview with Ms. Tamae Ueshima, who is the Grand Prix winner of the “Shirokane 5-chome Awards vol. 1, Jewelry & Craft Division.”

MON, AUG 27, 2018

Interview

Interview：J-Startup -This Logo Design was the Culmination of my Thought Process up to this Point／Graphic Designer Daichi Takizawa

This is an interview of Daichi Takizawa, the winner of the “J-Startup” logo design contest held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

MON, AUG 27, 2018

Interview

report：Announcement of results! This is the emblem that will cheer on Japanese startups as the “J-Startup” logo design!

The logo design for “J-Start-up,” a program organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, has been decided! What is the creation that was selected for the Grand Prix? Also, we will report the behind the scenes sequence of events up till the selection.

THU, AUG 02, 2018

Report

Interview：Awards and Hackathons Overcome Stereotypes ーRyuta Aoki / Concept Designer

We interviewed concept designer Ryuta Aoki, who has launched many innovative events including TEDxKids@Chiyoda and Art Hack Day. We asked him questions from a variety of angles including what sparked the projects and his source of motivation.

MON, JUL 23, 2018

Interview

interview：All Nippon Airways (ANA)’s Challenge: WonderFLY, Where Innovators are Born

The “A new invention that makes kids crazy! ~ Recruit children's crazy items to replace smartphone ~”creative awards by All Nippon Airways (ANA)’s “WonderFLY” and Loftwork’s “AWRD” are currently underway.Through a conversation with Kevin Kajitani, the instigator of WonderFLY at the ANA Digital Design Lab, and Mr. Nihonyanagi of Loftwork, we will deliver the thoughts behind the project and how it ties in with the airline business.

MON, JUL 09, 2018

Interview

Report：The People I Met at the Awards --　Shirakane 5-chome Award Judges Committee Report and Message to the Entrants! ／KIGI (Ryousuke Uehara/ Yoshie Watanabe) Etsuko Sonobe, Rika Fukuda

Squatting repo as the first bulletin of "Platinum 5-chome Award". In addition, we have received the message from the judges for what kind of encounter we are seeking for the future awards!

MON, JUN 11, 2018

Report

INTERVIEW：I Want to be a Player for a Long Time. The World that Opened Up Before Her When She Created a 9000-Frame Animation / nu Q

A serial project where the editor-in-chief of AWRD, Kao Kanamori, goes to meet with award winners and promoters who have piqued her interest. Part Two is about nu Q, the animation creator surrounded in mystery, who has been involved in music videos, commercials, etc.  She told me about the story behind how her unique style came to be, we also spoke about the areas of her future activities.

FRI, JUN 01, 2018

Interview

interview：Feel the World and Objectively View your own Works through Awards | Yoshikazu Yamagata

The start of a serialized project to meet awarded creators that have caught the eye of the editor-in-chief of AWRD, Kao Kanamori. The one whose story we wanted to hear first was Yoshikazu Yamagata, the designer at writtenafterwards.

THU, APR 19, 2018

Interview

HELLO my name is "AWRD" !

We want to be useful in your work and your daily life.I hope "AWRD" are in your future! 

THU, APR 19, 2018

Topic

Interview：I put my all into a single idea in one day. Award competitions are training for coming up with ideas quickly / Tatsurou Hirano

Forms of expression that will make you want to take them into your hands, and which have you experience their exquisite coloring and gentle textures. Tatsurou Hirano, renowned for his sophisticated designs, is an up-and-coming art director and graphic designer who has won a number of national and international awards.

WED, APR 18, 2018

Interview

interview: Business etiquette learned from his first time participating in an award event in Japan /Julien Wulff

「一万人のクリエイターミーツ PASS THE BATON」でニールズヤード レメディーズのうつくしいブルーボトルを利用した、 新プロダクトのデザイン・アイデアで受賞したスイス出身のジュリアン・ウルフさんへのインタビュー。

SUN, APR 15, 2018

Interview

Working towards a world where if you can dream it, you can make it! The Mesh Idea Awards／Sony

These awards come from Mesh, one of the new businesses that came from Sony’s new business creation program! With Mesh in your life, what kinds of interesting things can you do?

THU, APR 12, 2018

Report

The Search for a Photography Experience to Embody the Concept of the OLYMPUS AIR / Olympus Corporation

Olympus and Loftwork hosted the OPC Hack & Make AWARD in 2015. New items and services were developed through a co-creation process that cultivated open communication between makers and users.

TUE, APR 10, 2018

Report

Designing the Lifestyle of 2045 through an Ideathon & Makeathon / AXA Life

An ideathon and makeathon entitled “Designing the Future” was held, part of a popular series that in the past has conducted ideathons and makeathons thinking about the future of products, services, and experiences with various themes such as space, housework, and music.

FRI, APR 06, 2018

Report

BioClub BHA4 Exhibition

BioClub BHA4 Exhibition

MON, JUN 26, 2017

Event

BioClub Meetup vol.3

​Bio Hack Academy Graduation Show 〜 誰もがBioをハックできる時代をつくる〜​

MON, JUN 06, 2016

Event