The Ultimate Winner List: KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 winners have just been announced—and if you’re a stationery enthusiast, creative thinker, or trend hunter, this is the article for you. This globally renowned design competition showcases fresh and innovative concepts that could shape the next generation of Japanese stationery and office supplies.
In this blog, we’ll explore the 2025 winning designs, what makes them so inspiring, and how they connect with the everyday lives of stationery lovers. Let’s dive into the future of stationery now.
- What is KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD
- KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 theme
- Grand Prix Winner
- Merit Award Winners
- NEW GENERATION Award Winners
- Why Do These Designs Matter?
- Future Stationery Trends
- FAQs
What Is the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD?
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD is one of Japan’s most influential product design competitions, hosted by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.—a leader in stationery, furniture, and office supplies. Launched in 2002, this annual award focuses on practical, human-centered designs that improve everyday life. If you would like to know more about KOKUYO, you may read our KOKUYO stationery guide.
Each year, designers from around the world submit thousands of original ideas under a unique theme. The winners don’t just receive cash prizes—they also have the chance to collaborate with KOKUYO to bring their designs to life as real, sellable products.
In short, it’s where concept meets creation.
KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 Theme
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 embraced the theme "prototype," inviting designers to transform original ideas into tangible forms with the potential to lead to the next step. This theme encouraged participants to think beyond existing conventions, aiming to create designs that inspire others and serve as catalysts for future innovation. The award sought entries that were not merely mockups or concepts but embodied the essence of prototyping—designs that point the way to the future and become vectors for change.
Grand Prix Winner: “NEWRON” by Toshiyuki Kawada
If there’s one design to remember from this year, it’s NEWRON—a pen designed to help you think better while writing.
What is NEWRON?
NEWRON is a writing tool with a uniquely textured grip section, made up of variously shaped protrusions. These tactile bumps aren’t just for decoration—they’re meant to stimulate your fingertips and activate brain function, making it easier to generate creative ideas as you write.
Think of it as a fidget tool and a pen rolled into one—a neurostimulating notebook companion that helps turn thoughts into breakthroughs.
Why It Matters for Stationery Users
- Encourages mindful writing
- Promotes creativity and flow state
- Combines function and neuroscience
- Ideal for journaling, brainstorming, or sketching ideas
As fans of analog tools, we often say that writing helps us think. NEWRON takes that idea literally.
Merit Award Winners: Designs That Redefine Everyday Tools
While NEWRON claimed the top prize, several Merit Awards were given to other brilliant entries. Let’s explore these new ideas that may one day be part of your favorite stationery collection.
“spinning” by Haruki Ichijo
A thin string attached to a bookmark becomes more than just a placeholder—it becomes a sensory ritual.
By spinning the string, users experience a calming motion while reading. Over time, the thread frays, changes, and carries personal meaning. It can even evolve into a message or gift for the next reader.
Why it’s beautiful: It transforms the act of reading into something interactive, meditative, and personal.
“KAKONET” by Yoshihiro Matsumura
This magnetic object is shaped like quotation marks in Japanese language 「」. Instead of pinning notes, it’s designed to hold onto thoughts, memories, or intentions—both symbolically and physically.
A great metaphor for mental organization, especially for creatives who work with words, ideas, or inspiration boards.
“Secret” by weiweichen (Gaowei Liu, Cheng Chen)
“Secret” is a diary where the ruled lines shrink toward the center, as if hiding your deepest thoughts in a safe zone. It visually expresses the act of concealment and introspection.
Why stationery fans love it: This notebook doesn’t just capture secrets—it represents them visually, adding emotional depth to private journaling.
NEW GENERATION Award Winners: The Future of Stationery Is Bright
This special category honors students who present imaginative and thought-provoking designs that challenge the norm. These fresh perspectives could shape the next decade of stationery innovation. Belows are some we found interesting and would like to share with you.
“The Way the Wind Turns” by Haruki Ichijo
A playful new take on windmills using only paper and wind. While not traditional stationery, it captures the same spirit of analog exploration.
For DIY lovers and kinetic thinkers, this is a nod to how simple materials can become meaningful experiences.
“Juicy Fruits” by Chen Cheng and Wang Chao
Pigment packaging shaped and used like fruit. The squeezing motion mimics extracting juice, providing a sensory and fun interaction when painting.
Why it works: It connects texture, color, and psychology to elevate the experience of using colors in a tactile, joyful way.
“Time-Zone Love” by Jiang Xiaowen and Zhou Yitong
A watch for couples in different time zones. The dial adjusts to reflect both users’ time zones, supporting empathy and connection at a glance.
This may not be classic stationery, but it shares the values of intentional design and emotionally driven function.
More can be found on the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 site.
Why Do These Designs Matter?
As a stationery shop, we care about more than just selling pens and notebooks. We believe in curating tools that enhance creativity, focus, and joy in everyday life.
Here’s what the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 winners remind us:
- Stationery is evolving. Tools are becoming more human-centered, expressive, and emotionally meaningful.
- Design matters. A pen isn’t just a pen—it can spark new thoughts.
- You deserve smarter tools. Whether journaling, studying, or creating, the right tool changes the experience.
What to Watch For in Future Stationery Trends
2025 New Generation Award Winner: Nori
Based on these award-winning ideas, expect to see more:
- Neuroscience-inspired tools that support focus and thinking
- Sensory stationery—items that offer texture, motion, or transformation
- Eco-conscious, symbolic designs that hold meaning beyond utilityHybrid tools that blur the lines between analog and emotional tech
If you’re looking to upgrade your desk or gift someone thoughtful stationery, let these innovations guide your next purchase.
FAQs
Q1: Where can I buy the winning designs?
Some past winners have become real products through KOKUYO. Stay tuned to their official website or our store for announcements.
Q2: Can I submit to the award myself?
Absolutely! The award is open to everyone worldwide. Even students and first-time designers can enter.
Conclusion
The KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD 2025 was a showcase of what stationery can truly be—an extension of our thoughts, feelings, and habits. From the brain-activating grip of NEWRON to the symbolic diary of “Secret,” these designs show that even the smallest tools can carry powerful ideas. And that’s what makes stationery special—it’s not just about ink and paper. It’s about making the everyday extraordinary.
Looking for Some Stationeries?
We don’t stock these award winners yet—but we DO offer a wide collection of thoughtfully curated Japanese stationery that reflects the same spirit of smart, creative design. Click here to see what inspiring stationery items ZenPop have in store for our subscribers this month! We have over 8 years of experience curating themed boxes of Japanese only stationery.
Join our community for updates on new arrivals and exclusive finds. Support creativity with tools that look good, feel good, and work beautifully.
