１．Entries
I want to know where I can apply to enter the contest?
From October 1st, you can enter the contest via the online application form.
Can we submit an entry as a group?
Yes, you can. Please write the name of your group on the entry form.
Can I submit multiple entries?
Yes, you can submit as many as you want. However , only one entry form must be submitted for each entry. If you have multiple pieces, you must register multiple times, once for each piece.
Can I send my entry by post or email?
Entries submitted by post or email will not be accepted. Please use the entry form.
What is “rendering?” Can I send a photo of the model? Is this the same as the term “perspective” used in architecture?
A rendering is a perspective drawing of an illustration of the predicted completed work. You can also send a model photograph. You are correct in assuming that this is the same as a perspective drawing.
Should three-view drawings and renderings be an accurate scaled-down drawing?
Please submit renderings that are as accurately scaled-down as possible.
Can three-view drawings be hand-drawn or illustrations?
The method of illustration does not matter so long as a the work, including its size, can be comprehended in a three-dimensional manner. However , works whose dimensions or functions cannot be comprehended may be excluded.
Although it says “Works are restricted to new domestic or international offerings,” is it possible for me to submit a work that I previously submitted to a competition for another organization but was not selected?
If the work has been submitted to a different competition in the past, it is deemed as being publicly known as it has already been viewed by the judges and other related parties during the selection process. Therefore, because there is a possibility that there may already be identical or similar items in existence, unannounced or new works are also restricted to previously unsubmitted works.
Do “unannounced works” include graduation pieces or works exhibited in personal exhibitions?
Unannounced works include only those exhibited on campus.
How should I send my entry if there are multiple patterns for one piece of work?
Even if there are multiple patterns, please include these on one presentation sheet (roughly two A3 sheets).
Can I change or add to the details on a submitted presentation sheet?
Changes or additions to submitted presentation sheets will not be permitted. However , changes or addition to presentation sheets will be possible only for those who pass the first round of selections. You will be notified of a URL where changes will be accepted when you receive notification of passsing the first round.
We are thinking of entering as a group. If our group contains someone who works for your company, can we still enter? In the same manner, can someone working for your company submit an individual entry?
As a general rule, company staff are not allowed to submit entries. Thank you for your understanding.
Can my entry be a work that is an altered design of an existing MUJI product?
Yes.
I cannot enter from the entry form.
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I want to know if my entry is complete.
Your entry has been completed if you receive an entry completion email after your application.
２．Secondary screening
Will mock-ups be returned?
Although as a general rule we do not return mock-ups, if you will be coming to pick up the mock-up after screening, or you would like to have it shipped back to you COD, please indicate this on the outer packaging. Note that we will not return mock-ups by postal mail.
If multiple works pass the first round of screening and I am submitting mock-ups, can I send them as one shipment?
Yes, you may.
Can I bring mock-ups directly to you?
As a general rule, mock-ups will only be accepted through the mail.
If you will be personally brining in the mock-up because it is fragile, or for other reasons, you may do so after contacting us in advance.
Only those who have passed the first round of screening will be notified of the mailing address.
It says mock-ups must be no larger than 120cm when height, width and length are combined. Are there restrictions on the size of the actual work?
Although there are restrictions on the size of the actual work, please consider a size based on the interior of a MUJI store and one that can be put on display in MUJI stores.
Although the mock-up submission size must be no larger than 120cm when height, width and length are combined, do you accept scaled-down models?
Scale models are accepted for mock-ups of furniture and other items that exceed expected sizes.
If I can’t create a mock-up of a work by myself due to material and size issues, can it be a scaled-down clay model?
Mock-ups can be clay models. Please provide details on the materials and size on the presentation sheet.
Do the materials used in the mock-ups have to be exactly the same as those intended for the actual work?
Different materials may be used for the mock-up. Please provide details on the materials and size on the presentation sheet.
３．Rights
Will there be royalty payments after the work is made a product?
Although rights to winning works will belong to Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd, payments may be made through an exchange of a separate contingency fee memorandum of understanding for standard products (excludes test marketed products).
Once awards have been announced, what happens if I announce my own designs with photos and drawings in my portfolio or website for my own promotional purposes?
As a general rule, award-winning prices are planned to be marketed.
When doing so, some time is required in most cases for alterations, as well as for rights related procedures, such as those for design rights.
As a result, we ask that announcements by winners on their own websites of these awards be conducted after consultations with MUJI.
Please note, again, that rights, including design rights, will belong to Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
If an entered work contains existing intellectual property rights of the applicant, will these rights be transferred to Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. if this entered work wins a prize?
Winning works are planned to be marketed. If a work contains existing intellectual property rights, we will request that these be transferred to us upon acceptance of the prize money. However , depending on the details of these rights, we may engage in separate, individual negotiations. If your work contains existing intellectual property rights, please indicate this when submitting your entry.
If a work does not win a prize, I believe there will be no issues regarding the ownership of intellectual property rights for the submitted work. Is this correct?
Yes, this is correct.
It says that “submitted entries cannot be announced at another location without the consent of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.” Does this apply indefinitely or only until screenings have ended?
Please regard this as being until after announcements have been made and the required rights submissions procedures by our company have been completed.
If submitted entries cannot be returned, how will the intellectual property rights of the submitted entries be protected after screening?
Intellectual property rights for non-winning works will not be transferred to our company. Works will be stored by our company for a set amount of time and then disposed of.
What do you mean specifically when you say “appropriate measures to protect your own rights?”
This means, for example, performing research in advance to ensure that the submitted entry does not receive complaints or actions from a third party due to infringement of intellectual property rights. In addition, a variety of other cases can be assumed, including taking precautions to ensure that works and designs are not stolen by third parties (due to negligent disclosure).
In the section titled “Points to Consider Regarding Application,” it says that “applicants may not announce submitted works at other locations without the consent of Ryohin Keikaku.” Does this apply to all submitted works in addition to prize-winning works? Does this apply indefinitely?
In regards to the phrase “applicants may not announce submitted works at other locations without the consent of Ryohin Keikaku,” this applies only to prize-winning works and does not apply to submitted works that do not pass the first round of screening. Consent will not be given for prize-winning works until after winners have been announced. Prizes may be revoked for violations.
It says that “all intellectual property rights shall belong to Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.” Does that mean that moral rights of the author belong to the applicant?
In other words, if a prize-winning work is commercialized, can the prize-winner announce in public that “I designed that MUJI product”?
When a prize-winning work is commercialized, as a general rule, we do not disclose the name of the designer for any of our products.
However , if the designer intends to publicly announce that he or she designed XX, for example on his or her own website, we ask that they receive prior approval from Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
It says that “Submitted entries must not have been entered in any other competitions besides the current MUJI AWARD. In addition, the applicant may not announce their work at another location without the consent of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.” Is receiving consent a simple process? Although it most probably depends on the work, I would like to hear your opinion.
Although submitted entries must be previously unannounced, there are no issues regarding works that did not win any prizes after all screenings are complete. After the screenings are complete, the applicant is free to submit the same work to other competitions.
This requirement only applies to prize-winning works and prizes and awards may be revoked if a violation is discover ed. There are a number of processes required for an individual to announce his or her prize-winning work. Please contact and consult us via our website after we have announced the results. Consent will not be denied except in special circumstances.
４．Other
Are prize-winning works always commercialized?
Although all prize-winning works are considered for commercialization, because decisions are made while considering innovativeness, technical possibility, cost, and other factors, there is a possibility that works may not be commercialized.
When and how will the results be announced?
Applicants whose works have passed the first round of screening will be notified by postal mail by the end of November 2013. Results of the final screening will be announced on this website in the beginning of April 2014. Applicants who have passed the final round of screening will receive individual notifications from the office starting in the middle of February 2014.
When will the prize money be paid?
As a general rule, prize money will be paid at the award ceremony to be held in May 2014.
If a prize-winning product is commercialized, will it indicate the name of the designer?
Should a work be commercialized, the name of the designer will not be indicated on regualr MUJI promotional items, magazines or other works based on the MUJI brand policy.
