Registration for the 5th Tomie Ohtake Design Award, aimed at university students and recently graduated professionals from all fields, has been extended until February 16. The initiative has established itself as the leading Brazilian design mapping award, welcoming multiple languages due to its transdisciplinary nature and avoiding rigid categories, as it encompasses projects of diverse natures.
The award, which proposes a new theme for each edition to spur innovative solutions that address current socio-economic, cultural, and political challenges, is promoting the concept of “Coviver” (Coexisting) this time. The proposal does not aim to establish entirely new relationships. Rather, it seeks to guide design toward discussing habitability on Earth, as well as our possibilities for action.
Five selected applicants will each receive a grant of R$ 6,000.00 to build a prototype of their project, which will be featured in an exhibition at the Tomie Ohtake Institute in May 2023. In addition, two projects from the exhibition will receive trophies and publications from the Tomie Ohtake Institute. Registration, which has been extended until February 16, 2023, is free and can be completed on the website.
Setting itself apart from traditional design awards, the Tomie Ohtake Design Award features an innovative approach: by bypassing categories, each edition presents a challenge to university students. Based on this theme, projects can be submitted by university students and recently graduated professionals from any field, not limited to young designers. The goal is to recognize proposals that highlight and explore the relationship between design and other fields, such as architecture, biology, engineering, fashion, technology, and social sciences, among others.
Under this premise, the award aims to highlight that the most impactful contemporary design proposals emerge from dialogues with different specialties, fostering innovative solutions that address current social, political, urban, and housing issues, as well as new technological demands, equipment, publications, and digital media.
Over the past four editions, the Tomie Ohtake Design Award has recognized 60 projects out of approximately 700 submissions from 25 Brazilian states and the Federal District. Around 700 meetings with professors and students were held across more than 50 universities nationwide, along with over 20 educational initiatives in São Paulo and other states, including symposia, seminars, courses, workshops, talks, lectures, and live streams.
The 5th Tomie Ohtake Design Award is open to undergraduate and technical students currently enrolled in any field—including, but not limited to, design programs—recognized or authorized by the Ministry of Education (MEC). Applicants may be Brazilian or foreign nationals, provided they have resided in the country for at least two years. Professionals who have graduated within the last five years from any technical and/or higher education course recognized or authorized by MEC are also eligible. Like the students, these professionals may be Brazilian or foreign nationals residing in the country for at least two years. Applications are also accepted from research groups, interdisciplinary associations, or collectives whose members are undergraduate students or recent graduates, as long as all members meet the criteria listed above.