飫肥杉デザイン世界展開チームは、全世界に向けて、飫肥杉を使った新製品のデザインコンテストを開催しました。

デザインは、世界から集める

このコンテストは、飫肥杉を使った製品の世界への販売に向けて、世界中のデザイナーからアイデアを集めるためのコンテストです。

飫肥杉デザイン世界展開チームは、世界への販売に際して、海外のエージェントにヒアリングを行いました。その結果、日本人が求める商品と海外の人が求める商品に違いがある事がわかりました。

世界一の登録者数を持つFreelancer.comで募集

そこで、今回、全世界700万人のフリーランスが登録するFreelancer.comのサービスを活用して、新商品のデザインを募集するコンテスト開始しました。もちろん日本人デザイナーの応募も可能です。

コンテストのページはこちら
Product design using Japanese cedar called Obisugi

審査の結果、優秀な作品を製品化

応募されたデザインから、飫肥杉デザインチーム及び宮崎県に在住の外国人で審査を行い、優秀な作品を製品化する予定です。
審査は、5月8日木曜日に宮崎市内で開催されます。

以下は、コンテストに掲載されている英語文章。

[ What do you need to do? ]

This is a product design competition for new gift products.
We are asking you to design a product from your own original ideas using Obisugi cedar wood.
The main feature of Obi-sugi is its lightness and ability to bend into shape.
The Obisugi cedar has a very fine and clean aroma too.
We are planning to sell new exciting products worldwide through the internet.
Your design must be clever and beautiful but also fulfilling the highly competitive market’s demands.

[ Why are we doing this? ]

An afforestation project of Obi-sugi has taken place in the Miyazaki prefecture of Kyusyu Island in Japan.
It has gained first place for cedar production for the last 23 years, which secures our constant access to the finest Obisugi wood.

Obi-sugi has been used for shipbuilding traditionally,
but as technology has developed and as alternative materials have been used,
its market size has declined.

Therefore we strongly feel that we need to create a new direction for our traditional craft industry
by developing a new range of products using Obi-sugi wood.
This project is consistent with environmental conservation through recycling and replanting.

[ How do you do it? ]

Please send your product design to us.
We will assess them, and our team of experts will award the prize to the best products that meet this design brief.

[Our official Website]

https://www.facebook.com/ObisugiDesign

[ Web site as a reference ]

http://oreedesign.com
http://fancy.com/junichisaito/list/36300741

[ The criteria for nomination ]

Your design must be:
Original
We are looking for a truly unique gift item or object which will capture the universal market.

Economic
We like simple, clean designs that respect the environment.

Japanese
We want a design that is inspired by the heart of the Japanese culture.
What comes to mind when you read these words?
Your design must be based around the main features of Obi-sugi cedar; its lightness and ability to bend.

We are very much looking forward to seeing how you rise to this challenge.

Note: The copyright of the winning design will be held by us.