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That Matsukuroid won the Good Design Award
The Japan Institute of Design Promotion announced the 2015 Good Design Award winners on September 29.
Three projects involving the Dentsu Group received awards. The life-sized android "Matsukoroid," which made headlines when announced last December; the product design project "Monoyaki Waribashi" from Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, a collaboration between industry, government, and academia; and "Every Sport!", a program that measures and points-based competition for everyday, casual exercise, all joined the ranks of "G Mark" award winners.
Matsukoroid
Awarded to: Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Tech, A-Lab, Natural Eight
Supervised by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University, a leading authority in android research. The entire body, from head to toe, was molded from the form of the celebrity Matsuko Deluxe. Her facial expressions, gestures, and mannerisms were studied and realistically reproduced. This is truly an android talent utilizing cutting-edge android technology. Currently, she serves as Japan's first android program MC.
Patterned Disposable Chopsticks
Designer: Kozue Kojima (Dentsu Inc. Chubu Branch)
Award Recipients: Yoshino Town (Nara Prefecture), Takeuchi Chopstick Factory, Nara Prefectural Yoshino High School Forest Science Department Agriculture Club Yoshino Research Team, Dentsu Inc. Chubu Branch
A product design project aimed at promoting domestically produced disposable chopsticks, resulting from a collaboration between industry, government, and academia in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, renowned as a domestic chopstick production area. Supervised by Yoshino Town, traditional Japanese patterns were applied to both sides of the chopsticks. Six patterns were adopted: Ichimatsu (prayer for victory), Kikkō (health and longevity), Shippō (prosperous business), Asanō (prosperity of descendants), Yabane (prayer for love), and Tachiyū (prosperity of the household). The patterns are engraved by students of Nara Prefectural Yoshino High School using laser cutters. The disposable chopsticks used are the koban-shaped type (considered the original disposable chopstick with a perfectly flat surface) manufactured by Takeuchi Seisakusho in Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture.
EverySpo!
Awarded to: Dentsu Inc. International Information Services
A program where teams compete for points calculated from activities like walking and running steps. A watch-type wearable device serves as a pedometer. Steps and running distance are added to the team's total by touching the device to signage installed in the city (on buildings). Team communication on SNS, encouragement from sports instructors, and prizes awarded for completing "missions" set as support from the city all help maintain motivation. Developed as an attempt to connect people and the city through sports, it incorporates elements that make participants conscious of and able to execute exercise within their daily lives.
The Good Design Award is a "comprehensive design recommendation system" with a history of approximately 60 years, annually selecting and honoring objects of outstanding design. This year, a total of 3,658 designs across products, architecture, software, and various initiatives were judged, with 1,337 receiving awards.
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