Yukito Asama from Osaka University of Arts Selected as Japan's Representative for 'Adobe Certified Professional International Championship 2026'

Yukito Asama (Asama Yukito), a fourth-year student in the Design Department at Osaka University of Arts (Tsukamoto Gakuen Educational Corporation / Location: Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture / President: Kunihiko Tsukamoto), has been selected as Japan's representative for the 'Adobe Certified Professional International Championship 2026'. Six finalists were chosen through a design competition that also served as Japan's national selection, and Asama will represent Japan at the finals in 2026. The finals will be held from July 26 (Sun) to July 29 (Wed), 2026, at the Disneyland Grand California in Anaheim, California, USA.

■ Design Competition Based on the Theme from the NPO UNHCR Association

This championship is a global-scale contest aimed at nurturing the next generation of design professionals skilled in Adobe software. For this year's competition, which also served as Japan's national selection, participants were tasked with creating three作品 using Photoshop and Illustrator, based on the theme 'Spreading Empathy for Refugees' provided by the NPO UNHCR Association. After a rigorous judging process, six finalists were selected, and among them, Asama secured the position of Japan's representative.

In addition to Asama, two other students from the university also achieved outstanding results: Miyou Hira (Hirao Miyou), a fourth-year student in the Design Department, and Yura Motomura (Motomura Yura), also a fourth-year design student.

■ Award Ceremony and Announcement of Japan's Representative

On June 3, 2026 (Wed), the 'MOS/Adobe Certified Professional International Student Championship 2026 Japan Representative & Award Winners Ceremony' was held at Tokyo Kaikan (Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo). Despite being held during a typhoon, many students and representatives from educational institutions attended.

During the ceremony, award presentations were held for both the design competition and MOS category winners. Following this, the host representative announced Japan's representative and presented Asama with an official certificate recognizing his qualification to compete in the world championship.

■ About the Winning Entries

・Japan's Representative

Yukito Asama, 4th Year, Faculty of Art, Design Department, Osaka University of Arts

Work Concept

UNHCR's activities are an act of wrapping with love. Beyond that lies the flower-like smiles of children who are no longer refugees. To spread a circle of empathy, I visualized UNHCR's activities into an instantly recognizable image.

Judge's Review

The use of colorful tones, uncommon in typical UNHCR visuals, feels fresh. The image of refugee children drawing these flowers themselves brings a heartwarming brightness, effectively evoking empathy and support. The work skillfully blends colorful drawing motifs with photographs, constructing a warm and unique visual world that delivers a positive message—highly commendable.

■ Japan's Representative for Adobe Certified Professional International Championship 2026

Yukito Asama, 4th Year, Faculty of Art, Design Department, Osaka University of Arts

Comment from Asama

I am truly delighted to have won the Adobe design competition and to be selected as Japan's representative for the international student championship. I feel deeply that my persistence and dedication to seeing my work through to the end led to this achievement, and I'm glad I've continued with design.

Competing on the world stage is a great challenge, and while I feel both excitement and anxiety, I hope to overcome them together with my fellow Japanese representatives and achieve the best possible outcome.

This opportunity to win and represent Japan is not due to my efforts alone. It was made possible by the countless connections and support I've received—first discovering graphic design at Osaka University of Arts Junior College, then manga design at Osaka University of Arts. I will continue striving hard so as not to disappoint those who have supported me, and I hope to soar high at the international championship as well.

・Award Winners

Miyou Hira (Hirao Miyou), 4th Year, Design Department, Faculty of Art, Osaka University of Arts

Work Concept

I illustrated the mutual support between UNHCR staff and refugees. By featuring a Japanese staff member, I aimed to make the issue feel closer to home, and used bright, friendly colors and a picture-book-like style to attract the interest of young people and raise awareness about refugee issues.

Judge's Review

The idea of featuring a Japanese staff member is effectively visualized and highly original, aligning well with the theme and concept. The illustration style maintains the seriousness of the topic while delivering a bright, warm, and approachable impression, making it appealing to a broad audience.

Yura Motomura (Motomura Yura), 4th Year, Design Department, Faculty of Art, Osaka University of Arts

Work Concept

The boy symbolizes the anxiety and loneliness felt by refugees, while the woman and blanket enveloping him represent UNHCR's warm support. By clearly contrasting their expressions, I aimed to inspire viewers to imagine the emotions of those affected.

Judge's Review

As intended by the concept, the anxiety, loneliness, and circumstances faced by refugee children are depicted in an empathetic and accessible way through illustration. By reconstructing the provided photo materials into illustrations, the refugee subjects are moderately abstracted, making the work more relatable to a wider audience—an effective approach. The use of warm colors in the blanket evokes a sense of warm support, and the color choices show thoughtful branding consideration. The simple composition enables direct emotional appeal, which is also commendable.

■ Event Overview

・Event Name: 'Adobe Certified Professional International Championship 2026'

・Schedule: July 26 (Sun) – July 29 (Wed), 2026

・Venue: Disneyland Grand California, Anaheim, California, USA

・Final Challenge: Participants will complete a design task in one day using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

・Official Website: https://adobe.odyssey-com.co.jp/competition/2026/

・Related Page: Adobe Certified Professional International Championship 2026 Design Competition Results https://adobe.odyssey-com.co.jp/competition/2026/final_jp

・Award Ceremony Report Page: https://www.odyssey-com.co.jp/topics/competition/2026/final_jp.html