Let's Copic!

The COPIC AWARD is a competition that provides an opportunity to share diverse artworks created using Copic products. It connects Copic fans from around the world to inspire each other and to enjoy a collective creative experience.

Anyone can enter regardless of age, nationality or genre.

COPIC AWARD 2019 was the second year of running the Award and we received 2,150 amazing entries from 72 countries.

Thank you to all who applied!

PRIZE

Grand Prize (1 entry)

A cash prize of US $3,000, an invitation to the award ceremony in Tokyo (including round-trip airline tickets and accommodation), a full 358 set of Copic Sketch markers.

Second place (2 entries)

A cash prize of US $1,000, an invitation to the award ceremony in Tokyo
(including round-trip airline tickets and accommodation), a full 358 set of Copic Sketch markers.

Future Generation Art Prize (Youth Award): Grand Prize (1 entry)

A full 358 set of Copic Sketch markers.
*Winner will be selected from applicants 18 years of age or younger at the time of entry.

Judges' Awards (5 entries)

Special edition Copic set.

Special Awards

Will be announced later

Finalists

Special edition Copic set.

Future Generation Art Prize (Youth Award) (100 entries)

Special edition Copic set.
*Winners will be selected from applicants 18 years of age or younger at the time of entry.

Social Media Award (1 entry)

A full 180 set of Copic Ciao markers.
*Post an image of your entry on Instagram, with the following hashtags included in the caption: #copicaward2020/#copicaward_insta

JUDGES

Teiya Iwabuchi

Chief Editor of Bijutsu Techo
Representative of "OIL by Bijutsu Techo"

Iwabuchi is the chief editor of Japanese prestigious art magazine Bijutsu Techo. He began his position in the Editorial Department of Bijutsu Techo in 2002 and has been in that current post since 2008. He also serves as a board member of Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha Co., Ltd. and launched OIL by Bijutsu Techo (art EC service/gallery) in 2019. Iwabuchi has been involved in a wide range of today’s various art scenes, as both a judge for art competitions and as a guest in talk events.

Takeshi Obata

Manga artist

Obata is a very popular Japanese manga artist. He made his debut in 1989 with his first major series Cyborg Jii-chan G in Weekly Shonen Jump. After this series, he began collaborating with other writers. Obata gained international attention for Hikaru no Go with Yumi Hotta, as well as DEATH NOTE and Bakuman with Tsugumi Ohba. In addition to manga works, he is active in various fields such as character design and illustration.

Additional things to know about Obata: another series, called Platinum End, has been serialized in Jump SQ. Furthermore, DEATH NOTE was adapted into an anime TV series and three live-action films, as well as an American film adaptation which was released on Netflix in 2017.

Yurie Sekiya

Illustrator

Sekiya graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from Tama Art University in 2010. She is known for drawing characters with big, shining eyes and for her own interpretation of the Japanese “kawaii culture" in her illustrations, where she represents the fan-favorite Pero Pero ★ Sparkles. Sekiya currently works in a wide range of areas including fashion apparel and design for character merchandise.

Chisato Tsumori

Fashion designer

Tsumori studied fashion design at Tokyo's Bunka Fashion School. Since 1977, she has been working tirelessly as the designer for iconic brands, such as I.S. She started her own fashion-line, TSUMORI CHISATO, in 1990 and has since joined Tokyo Collection and Paris Collection. Tsumori keeps her focus on making clothes full of creativity, and her signature "fun and happy" style has been greatly appreciated all over the world.

Kei Matsushita

Art director/Professor at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (design department)

Matsushita graduated in general design from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1985 and then, in 1987, completed his postgraduate studies. Matsushita was also awarded with prizes including the JAGDA New Designer Award, the TOKYO ADC Awards, the Education Minister’s Award and the Good Design Award.

PRIZES & JUDGES

How to Apply for COPIC AWARD 2020

ENTRY PERIOD From May 1, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. until June 30, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (Japan Time)
ELIGIBILITY
  • There are no restrictions for nationality, age, experience, area of residence, etc. Applicants must be individual artists, and not groups.
  • Each entry is limited to artworks which have not already been made public either through another competition or exhibition (excluding personal exhibitions or one’s own social media page(s)).
ARTWORK CRITERIA
  • Your artwork must have been created using Copic products.
  • The size of artwork should be within L24″ x W18″x H12″ (L420mm x W297mm x H300mm) with the maximum weight of 11lbs (5kg). The specified dimensions of artwork have been changed from the previous year.
  • For the base material of artwork, fragile materials such as ceramic or glass are prohibited to use.
  • No categories, no specific theme – we’ve purposely kept this broad to encourage imagination!
  • Only one piece of artwork may be submitted per person.
TIMELINE
  1. Register for the AWARD and submit your entry by clicking on the ENTRY button. Your entry will be open to the public after it has been reviewed to ensure that it meets the AWARD requirements.
  2. Each entry is considered and scored on the AWARD's criteria, then the finalists will be decided by the judges.
  3. Judges review all shortlisted artworks and select the winners of each prize.
  4. Winners will be announced on copicaward.com at a date to be announced.
NOTICE
  • Any entry infringing on intellectual property rights or copyrights of others (e.g. plagiarism, imitation) will be disqualified.
  • By entering the AWARD, you agree to grant the organizers reproduction rights over your entry, including to create a catalogue, archive the images of submitted artworks and publicize artworks online and in any other form of communication chosen by the organizers.
  • All applicants under the age of 13 are required to have the consent of a parent or legal guardian before entering.
GUIDELINES

ENTRY FLOW

  • STEP1

    Registration

    Register for the AWARD and submit your entry by clicking on the ENTRY form. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully in advance.

  • STEP2

    Registration of Entry

    Only one entry may be registered per person. Up to three image files of the same entry can be submitted.

  • STEP3

    Complete!

    After the registration of your work, the entry process is completed.
    The images of your entry will be open to the public on the AWARD website when your entry meets the requirements of the application rules.

Social Media Award

Post your entry and tag the COPIC AWARD account @copic_award for a chance to win a full 180 set of Copic Ciao markers!
1. Follow COPIC AWARD (@copic_award)
2. Post an image (up to 3 pictures from the same work) of your entry, tagging @copic_award on your Instagram account, with the following hashtags included in the caption: #copicaward2020/#copicaward_insta
*The winner will be selected based on the total number of post Likes.
*An Instagram account with public profile settings may be obtained for free at www.Instagram.com and is required to enter for this prize.

FAQ

Can I use other art mediums in my entry besides Copic products?
Yes. You can use any other art mediums, such as acrylic, watercolors, colored pencils or ink), but the majority of your artwork must be created with Copic products (e.g. markers, Multiliner pens, etc.).
What is the maximum size my artwork can be?
The size of actual works should be within L420mm x W297mm x D300mm, with the weight of 5kg or less, or within L24" x W18" x D12", with the weight of 11 pounds or less.
What format should I submit my entry in and what is the maximum file size?
Three still image files of the same artwork can be submitted (no videos). Images must be uploaded as .jpg format. Maximum size of each file must be no larger than 5MB.
I don't have a scanner. Can I use my camera instead?
Yes, you can use a camera. However, we need a good quality photo for judging your artwork, so please be sure to use a high-quality camera.
Can I send my work by mail or via email?
No. You can only submit your entry through the COPIC AWARD official website. No other method of application will be accepted. Please do not send actual artwork.