Japan Sign Design Association Award (as known as SDA Award) was established in 1966 for the purpose of promoting and educating the public about the sign design through presentation of signature design works to the wide society. It continues to be the only award program for sign design in Japan. Signs today are considered as an interface that connects urban space or corporate activities with consumers, or as information that is indispensable for revitalizing the environment and establishing communication, and their examples are seen with more diverse variations. We invite application for awards from signature design works with high quality. We strongly encourage you to participate in this program.
information
- 2021-11-06
- The 55th Japan Sign Design Award Ceremony Live Broadcast
- 2021-06-30
- Notice of Cancellation of the public viewing at the 55th Japan Sign Design Award's second screening
- 2021-04-30
- The 55th Japan Sign Design Award Change Schedule and Revised Application Guidelines (PDF version)
more information
Eligibility for Application
Signs completed in the year from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021.
Deadline for Application
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 24:00 JST
The application period has been extended due to the Emergency Declaration regarding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.Annual schedule (currently reorganizing)
*The following is the initial schedule.Application Period
Thursday, April 1, 2021 to Monday, June 30 closes at 24:00 JST
Primary selection
Monday, July 5, to Sunday, Jube 18, 2021
Secondary selection
Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Minato-ku, Tokyo
Award Announcement
Early October 2021
Award Ceremony
Saturday, December 4, 2021 in Minato-ku, Tokyo
Publication in the Yearbook and Panel Exhibition Tour
Starting December 2021
Screening Dates
Primary Selection
- Web-based screening
- Monday, June 5 to Sunday June 18, 2021
Secondary Selection
- Secondary Selection Meeting
- 13:00 pm to 17:30 pm Saturday, July 31, 2021
International Design Liaison Center
(Design Hub, Tokyo Midtown)
5th Floor, Tower, Tokyo Midtown 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minatoku, Tokyo
Phone：03-6743-3779
Jury
Jury President
Ryozo Takeyama
University of Toyama Executive Vice President
Editor in chief of Signs magazine
University of Toyama Executive Vice President
Editor in chief of Signs magazine
SDA Jury: Juries of selected SDA members (In no particular order, titles omitted)
Yasuo Yokota
Graphic Designer
Former GK Shanghai General Manager
Graphic Designer
Former GK Shanghai General Manager
Shimazu Katsuhiro
Environmental Graphic Designer
Shimazu Environmental Graphics
Environmental Graphic Designer
Shimazu Environmental Graphics
Taro Watanabe
Director
Emotional Space Design Inc. President
Director
Emotional Space Design Inc. President
Maya Nakamuta
Designer
MED President
Designer
MED President
Regional jury(Primary screening only)
Director (Representative Secretary) from each region (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa) and one SDA Award Selection Committee member from each region, nominated by regional representative secretary.
Secondary Selection Commissioned Jury (Tentative) (In no particular order, titles omitted)
Director
Cool Japan Policy Division＋Design Policy Division
Ministry of Economy,Trade and Indestry
Bo Linneman
Executive Design Director
Kontrapunkt
Executive Design Director
Kontrapunkt
Akira Kobayashi
Type Directors
Monotype
Type Directors
Monotype
Mitsuhiro Suwa
loftwork President
loftwork President
Yukio Hashimoto
Interior Designer
Hashimoto Yukio Design Studio Inc.
Interior Designer
Hashimoto Yukio Design Studio Inc.
Yuko Nagayama
OFFICE YUKO NAGAYAMA
OFFICE YUKO NAGAYAMA
Toshihiro Takahashi
Editor in chief of Discover Japan
Editor in chief of Discover Japan
Awards
Japan SDA Grand Prize – Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Provisional): 1 winner (Certificate and trophy)SDA Award Gold Prize: 4 winners (Certificate and trophy)
SDA Award Silver Prize: 15 winners (Certificate and trophy)
SDA Award Bronze Prize: 30 winners (Certificate)
SDA Award Finalists: 100 winners (Certificate)
SDA Award Jury Selection: 7 winners (Certificate and trophy)
SDA Contribution Award – Chairman of Japan Institute of Design Promotion Award: maximum 2 winners (Certificate)
Publication in the Yearbook
The works of award winners and the finalists will be included in the “Annual of Spatial Design in Japan 2022” (Japan and International Edition)The applicants are expected to submit at their responsibility the photographs and texts required for inclusion in the yearbook.
The Yearbook is to be edited by Japan Sign Design Association (SDA), The Japan Design Space Association (DSA), Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association (JCD), Rikuyosha Inc. and the Publication Committee of Kukan Design Organization, and published by Rikuyosha Inc.
The Yearbook is scheduled for publication in December 2021.
Sponsor
Supporting Organizations
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Japan Institute of Design Promotion
The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nikkei Inc.
Federation of Japan Out-door Advertising Associations
Japan Design Space Association
Nippon Display Federation
Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association
Japan Sign Association
Japanese Technical Organization for Commercial Spaces
Japan Promotional Marketing Institute Inc.
Japan Advertising Federation
Japan Advertisers Association Inc.
Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc.
Japan Typography Association
(In no particular order)