Izumi Okayasu

President of Izumi Okayasu Lighting Design Office,Lighting Designer

I feel that the challenge for a new way of wallpaper has been modest. As a result, the reality and persuasiveness for quick commercialization are often noticed, and we can see that the applicants are very serious about the screening criteria.
That said, there are limits to creating stereotypical wallpapers with graphics alone. Wallpaper is for designing a space, so I would like to see the wallpaper enrich the space. I expect more from the wallpaper. Many of the answers, however, are contained in a partially enclosed space. Hopefully, there would be a feel about the continuous richness of the whole. Open space is continuous in many cases. It would be interesting to pay attention to the relationship between the space you are in now and the next space.

Kentaro Yamazaki

Representative Director of YAMAZAKI KENTARO DESIGN WORKSHOP Co., Ltd., Architect

We are entering an era in which it is difficult to design with respect to social responsibility and ethics, with environmental issues at the forefront. Even so, we could see the creators design freely while being happy. This time we saw "Joy of Design".
Now that the technology and techniques have matured, it is difficult to choose this one from among many things. The same is true with wallpaper. Users also have matured, and it can be said that there is no such thing as overwhelming design anymore. But I think it important that people from different genres discuss and decide "let's go with this”. Such action and process are key especially in the current background.
It is interesting to find some works that strongly feel social. In that case, however, the presence of the designer becomes relatively small, and there is little that strongly appeals to us. Including that, I feel once again the difficulty of the act of design.

Nozomi Zama

President of ZA Design Inc., Interior Designer

Through the Wallpaper Design Awards this time, I myself was able to think deeply about the importance of design for space. Many of the submitted works reflect the present age, such as concept of nature, borderlessness and recycling. But some works are very impressive and attractive because they express the fun and rich moments as if they had a will.
I am familiar with spatial design, and then I saw the works that are generally arranged digitally. During the judging period, therefore, I kept on asking myself what original beauty and universality are.
Overall, I think that the excellent works, closely evaluated and finally judged good, have proven to be good in ideas, expressions, finishes, and feasibility.

Shosuke Yasuda

CEO of Sangetsu Corporation
* Chairman of Judging Committee

"Joy of Design", the theme of the Sangetsu Wallpaper Design Awards, is also our brand statement. We at Sangetsu want to cherish the joy and enjoyment of design.
Day in, day out, we search for what design means and how to create value through design and tie it in for revenue increase and social values. Through broad and deep design capabilities, the company will grow and contribute more to society.
This event, now in its sixth year, has been one of the keys to these activities, and we intend to keep it on. As noted by the judges, it is also necessary to hold the event not just for limiting the wallpaper in its existing frame but also for showing the wallpaper design in a broader sense.
We look forward to receiving many applications from various people next year as well.