First of all, I would like to thank all the applicants for applying for the GOOD DESIGN AWARD this year. Congratulations to all GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners. This year, we could encounter many wonderful designs once again. Under the 2024 theme “Brave Attitude, Organic Design,” we discovered many endeavors combining products and processes and a new trend in various entries. During the screening process for this award, entries are normally examined in units classified into categories. However, this year, we had more opportunities to discuss and examine entries in a cross-sectional and multi-angled manner, resulting in meticulous screening. Through the screening and discussions, I particularly felt that we could evaluate many designs created with organic thoughts and production that started from a single person’s enthusiasm turning into a courageous act and leading to further courageous actions of an organization and team. For example, switle BODY SWB-1000JP, a portable shower device for nursing care, was designed to shorten shower time by listening to the voices of and issues faced by nursing staff. This is a courageous idea that cannot easily be achieved with a marketing-driven mindset. This product is a successful example achieved by the mobility and organic mindset that only startups have. On the other hand, Adastra, a semiconductor manufacturing system, and FPA-1200NZ2C, a nanoimprint lithography semiconductor manufacturing system, are examples of design dominated by large enterprises. These products achieved good design by combining an outstandingly beautiful body and the strength to innovate the format in the industry by taking a courageous new approach to the process and technology of developing semiconductors. PLUG MAGAZINE is a regional magazine started as an individual initiative. Under the philosophy “Make Okayama cool,” this magazine has been published while maintaining high quality for 20 years as an effort to connect people of different generations, positions, and categories and designed to be a medium necessary in today’s community where the magazine industry is diminishing. I myself have been thinking, “What is design?” There are various interpretations: creating beautiful products; solving social problems; improving society, communities, and our lives; and driving force for further development of industries and products. These are all correct. But perhaps, what design is expected to do now is make courageous, organic changes and continue to think and discuss in order to improve current situations. This is what I thought while I was examining this year’s entries. Of course, design of products and processes can be produced by trained people, but at the same time, anyone can participate in such activities (designs). Good design can surely evolve further by producing design, continuing to use the design as a tool, and improving together. During this year’s screening, I could fully understand that good design originates in a single person’s enthusiastic idea and courage. I hope you will think about “Brave Attitude, Organic Design” which surely exist within yourself through this year’s awarded works.

Congratulations to all this year’s GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners. This year, we had many entries from various fields and encountered many resourceful proposals for the future and wonderful designs. This year’s results clearly show that the domain of design is becoming increasingly diverse and playing an important role in addressing social issues of all sizes. Facing today’s urgent demand to address sustainability and environmental issues, sustainable manufacturing is shifting its focus from the old proposal phase to establishing basic principles of design for social implementation. Today, long-lasting products and services reducing resource waste as well as designs adopting environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes are commonplace. This year, we saw a number of products that combine cutting-edge technological innovation and design. There is a need for human-centered design and careful consideration to improve the quality of life to be taken up in design, and for it to be in better harmony with research and development. Social inclusion and diversity are also important factors. We also saw proposals for inclusive thought that broadened the perspective to include social minorities, non-human animals and plants, and the natural environment, and brilliant recommendations for working on these issues with the community as a whole. The circumstances surrounding modern society are not always bright. However, I cannot help but feel hopeful that major challenges will be gradually unraveled by the collective efforts of teams, companies, and communities as a whole, as well as the courageous breakthroughs of designers. All of the designs are a result of such backgrounds. I hope you will see this year’s awarded works from this perspective and find new discoveries and interests.