Yoko Kawashima

“I didn't see any works that particularly stood out. It was such a fun screening process. I hope to see someone hitting it out of the park next year. To people at KDDI, good luck in commercialization.”

Marketing Manager, Business Development Division, Itochu Fashion System Co., Ltd.
Educated at the School of Commerce of Waseda University, Ms. Kawashima joined Itochu Fashion System Co., Ltd. in 1984. Her work focuses on the analysis of market and consumer trends from the perspective of fashion. Written works include "A BEAMS Strategy" (PHP) and "Isetan People" (Nihon Keizai Shimbun).

Takako Kida

“After being a judge, I felt renewed empathy for the organizer to attitude to support younger generation and student who strive to become designers regardless of their nationality. I hope the award will grow further as a global award.”

Editor of ELLE DECOR Japan
After working as a deputy editor of Figaro japon and as an editor of PEN, she took the current position. She continues to approach design from an editor's point of view.

Yoshihiro Komuta

“I screened the works thinking what's suitable not only for iida but also for au. It was an interesting and very productive process.
I think all of the applicants did their best. I would like to pay my respect to teachers who supported and recognized their efforts, and to parents of applicants as some of the applicants were junior high school students.”

President and Design Producer, Kom & Co. Design Corp.
Mr. Komuta joined Casio Computer Co., Ltd. after graduating from Tama Art University. He then moved to KDDI Corporation and launched the "au design project". He struck out on his own in 2006 and has handled the design production of "au" and "iida" since 2008.

Satoshi Takamatsu

“This is an award focusing on design by students which will become a commercial product. I'm filled with deep emotion as the works we selected last year are sold as products. Even if the items are somewhat rough-cut now, it's great if they are put on the market next year. Since I personally like technology, I hope young people will create something with friendly design with understanding of things such as wireless charging and Bluetooth technology. Combining design and technology, it will be great to see something only young people can come up with.”

Head of GROUND, Chief Creative Director
Born in 1963. After joining Dentsu, he worked in fields of marketing and creative. In 2005 he established a creative agency called GROUND. His major works include Nissin Cup Noodle’s “NO BORDER”, “FREEDOM”, UNIQLO's “HEATTECH”, “UT”, “UJ”, and au's “Android au”, etc. He has received a number of awards such as a gold award at Canne Lions, grand prix at ADFEST and at Clio Awards

Yasutoshi Matsuda

“Works with the core well defined prevailed. I hope it will become a big seller products taking advantage of their core. Especially in the cell phone related field, I think products will further expand and improve if cutting edge technology and design are combined together. Next year, I hope to see application of technology in addition to the product shape.”

Account Planner, Shingata Brand Institute Inc.
Mr. Matsuda worked in account management, HR and corporate planning at ad agency Dentsu before being assigned to handle marketing for the KDDI account. In July 2003, he joined Shingata Inc. and moved to Shingata Brand Institute in June 2006.

Koichi Yanagimoto

“I felt that the number of entries has increased and the level of works has gone up as well. The quality of presentation was also very high. Again, Korean designers' momentum is robust.”

President, Glyph
As President of Glyph, Mr. Yanagimoto helps clients with marketing and corporate direction, product development, exhibition planning and production, and publishing. Mr. Yanagimoto also lectures on design. His written works include "Design=Social".

Kazuhiko Masuda
KDDI Corporation
Head of Product Planning

“I believe works that reflect the award theme were selected. I was impressed that so many different ideas were born under one theme. Commercialization will be realized through efforts of the designer and other people involved. It is our responsibility to send out those products into the world, in the same way we did last year.”