GMO Internet Group Launches Third AI-Powered Design Contest 'GMO DESIGN AWARD 2026'

GMO Internet Group (Group Representative: Masatoshi Kumagai) has announced the opening of entries for the third edition of its AI-powered design contest, 'GMO DESIGN AWARD 2026,' starting Monday, June 15, 2026. This contest targets young creators and designers aged 18 to under 30, recognizing works that utilize AI in the creative process.

This year’s theme is 'Excitement,' and submissions are invited in two categories: 'Product' and 'Visual.' The Grand Prix winner will receive a cash prize of ¥1 million.

Creative Director Kota Hikichi (VISIONs Inc.), known for designing the Osaka-Kansai Expo's visual system, will serve as Chief Judge. Other judges include Tomoyuki Arima (Japan Design Center), Kota Shimizu (KOEL), and Moe Hirono (Forte Inc.). The contest aims to provide a serious platform for young creators to test their AI-enhanced creative skills, increasing industry recognition and offering opportunities for career advancement.

[Design Contest 'GMO DESIGN AWARD 2026'] (URL: https://gmo-design-award.com/)

Contest Theme: 'Excitement'

With the rapid spread of AI, high-quality creative content can now be easily produced by anyone.

In this changing landscape, the contest’s third-year theme is 'Excitement.' In an increasingly homogeneous AI era, we believe value lies in moments that move people’s hearts—something that cannot be measured by efficiency or correctness alone. This contest seeks works and products that generate such excitement, while incorporating AI into the creative process.

Background of the Contest

GMO Internet Group operates across diverse technological fields, from internet infrastructure to AI, security, and finance, while actively enhancing design capabilities across the group.

The rapid adoption of AI has greatly expanded creative expression. Therefore, the question of where 'excitement'—something beyond efficiency and correctness—originates has become more significant than ever. At the same time, there are still few platforms where AI-powered creative works are evaluated by top-tier creators and where young talents can seriously test their skills. We believe it is our responsibility to continuously provide such a platform for the next generation of creators.

Since its first edition in 2024 (75 entries) and second in 2025 (147 entries), the contest has steadily grown in scale. In its third year, the contest is being enhanced with new improvements, including the introduction of the group’s newly established 'Design Principles' in 2026 as a judging criterion. It aims to evolve into a premier contest for young creators, establishing a dominant presence in the design industry.

Last year’s winning entries can be viewed here:

(Reference: https://gmo-design-award.com/#works)

Message from Chief Judge Kota Hikichi

Kota Hikichi Creative Director / President & CEO, VISIONs Inc. / Representative Director, COMMONs General Incorporated Association

Create Human-Centered Works with AI

Precisely because we are in the AI era, we must reconsider: What does it mean to move people’s hearts? AI often delivers the 'correct' answer. But what moves people isn’t always correct. People aren’t moved by correctness alone.

What moves the heart is what’s interesting, beautiful, touching, cool, or adorable.

Such creations often contain a slight 'deviation' or 'discomfort' that strays from common sense or optimal solutions.

No matter how much AI evolves, the human role remains to create such deviations without fear and to give them meaning.

I find works that reveal your personal perspective and subtle discomfort far more interesting than perfectly polished ones.

Using AI is fine as a given. But don’t let AI use you.

AI will eventually become infrastructure. Just as using electricity isn’t valuable in itself, using AI won’t be either.

What will matter is what questions you ask and what you create with it.

Use AI to create human-centered works. That’s what will move people’s hearts, and ultimately, society and the future.

We look forward to seeing your unique AI-powered creations.

Judges (in alphabetical order)

・Tomoyuki Arima

Creative Director, Arima Design Lab, Japan Design Center

・Kota Shimizu

Director, KOEL / WIT COLLECTIVE / Creative Conductor

・Moe Hirono

President & CEO, Forte Inc. / Representative Director, Designship General Incorporated Association

Contest Overview

The contest invites entries in two categories: the 'Product Category,' for new service or product proposals using AI, and the 'Visual Category,' for digital works created with AI. The Grand Prix winner will receive ¥1 million.

Contest Name

GMO DESIGN AWARD 2026

Theme

Excitement

Submission Period

June 15, 2026 (Mon) – September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

Awards

● Grand Prix / 1 entry / ¥1,000,000

● Excellence Award / 4 entries (1 per category and subcategory) / ¥200,000 each

・Product Category

・Visual Category

・Product Category / Student Subcategory

・Visual Category / Student Subcategory

● Judges’ Special Award / Awards selected by individual judges (details to be announced on the official website)

Submission Guidelines

● Product Category

Proposals for AI-powered products or concepts aligned with the theme.

● Visual Category

Digital works using AI, aligned with the theme.

Examples:

・Narrative expression through multiple still images

・Video-based expression

・Audio-integrated expression

・Expression in 3D space

※ Single 2D still images are not eligible.

How to Apply

Submit via the official website

Eligibility

All members of an individual or group must be aged 18 or older but under 30 at the time of submission.

Judging Criteria

① GMO Internet Group Design Principles

Evaluation based on three indicators: 'Creates Centripetal Force,' 'Refined to the Detail,' and 'Loved with Every Interaction.'

② AI Utilization Method

Assessment of how AI is used in the creative process, including original perspectives and innovative approaches.

Results Announcement

[First Round]

Internal judging

Successful applicants will be notified by email around early October 2026

[Final Round]

Judging by internal and guest judges

Finalists will be notified by email around December 2026

Organizer

GMO Internet Group

Official Website

https://gmo-design-award.com/