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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.

PRIZE

Grand Prize(1 Entry)

Cash Prize of US $3,000
A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers, trophy and more.

Second place(2 Entries)

Cash Prize of US $1000
A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers, trophy and more.

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

A full set of 358 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 and with an autograph of one of the judges, trophy and more.

Future Generation Art Prize (U-18 Award): Special Prize(100 Entries)

Special 2021 edition Copic set.
*Winners will be selected from applicants 18 years of age or younger at the time of entry.

pixiv Award(1 Entry)

Copic Sketch 72 colors set.
Free 12-month subscription to pixiv premium.
An exclusive interview on pixivision.
pixiv's art book「VISIONS 2021 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK」

Social Media Award(1 Entry)

A full set of 180 Copic Ciao markers.

Craft award selected by Japan Hobby Association(1 Entry)

Copic Sketch 72 colors set.
Airbrushing system.

Craft Award selected by Too Corporation Americas(1 Entry)

Copic Sketch 72 colors set.
Airbrushing system.

Special award selected by Holly Nichols(1 Entry)

Copic Sketch 72 colors set and autographed copy of Holly Nichols' book "Modern Fashion Illustration"

Regional awards(5 Entries)

Copic Sketch 72 colors set.

Finalists(number of finalists: TBA)

Special 2021 edition Copic set.
*All finalists' entries will be returned framed.

JUDGES

Oh! great (Ito Ogure)

Manga Artist

Ogure (known as Oh! great) made his debut inManga Hot Milk magazine back in 1995 with a manga calledSeptember Kiss. Since then, he has been working not only on manga but also on character designs for games and anime. He is best known for his manga seriesTenjo Tenge, Air Gear, andBiorg Trinity with Otaro Maijo. Currently,Bakemonogatari (the adaptation of the novel series by Ishin Nishio) is being serialized inWeekly Shonen Magazine.

Kota Nezu

Designer

The Tokyo native Nezu worked for Toyota Motor Corporation as a designer before starting his own design firm Znug Design in 2005. He has been involved in the development of the zecOO electric motorcycle, LOVOT family robot, Toyota concept car, Thermos portable mug, and many other products. Nezu is also a jury member for the Good Design Award 2014-2020 and wrote many books on design and communications.

Chiaki Harada

llustrator/Manga artist

Harada is known for her unique “bad-mouth" style and has published numerous manga/art books including classics likeTekara Dokugaderu Neko No HanashiandDarenimo Mitsukarazuni Naiteiru Kimiwa Yasashii. She also works in a wide range of fields, including apparel and curation. Since 2019 Harada has been a lecturer at the Kyoto University of the Art.

Kei Matsushita

Art director/Professor of 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.

Tomoko Yabumae

Curator of Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Yabumae has curated a number of innovative exhibitions. Most recently, she was in charge of the overall planning and organization of the exhibitionEiko Ishioka: Blood, Sweat, and Tears—A Life of Design held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Her writings on modern and contemporary Japanese art have appeared in many art magazines/websites in Japan.

PRIZES & JUDGES

How to Apply for COPIC AWARD 2021

ENTRY PERIOD May 10, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. - June 30, 2021 at 23:59 p.m.(Japan Time)
Announcement of the results of the first round of judging: Early August 2021 (tentative)
Announcement of final judging results: Late September 2021 (tentative)
ELIGIBILITY
  • *There are no restrictions for nationality, age, experience, residence area, etc. Applicants must be individual artists, not groups.
  • *Entry is limited to artworks which have not already been made public either though another competition or an exhibition (excluding personal exhibition or own social media pages).
ARTWORK CRITERIA
  • Your artwork must have been created using Copic products.
  • The artwork should be no larger than L (Length) 420mm x W (Width) 297mm x D (Depth) 300mm and weigh no more than 5kg.
    L420mm x W297mm is equivalent to the international paper size A3. There is no restriction on the orientation of length and width.
    Not only paintings or drawings, but three-dimensional works are also welcome. The base material does not have to be paper, but the use of fragile materials such as ceramic or glass is prohibited.
  • 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 winners of the Grand Prize, Judges' awards and other special prizes.
  4. Winners will be announced on copicaward.com.
NOTICE
  • Any entry infringing on intellectual property rights or copyrights of the 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 publicise artworks online and in any other form of communication chosen by the organizers.
  • All applicants under the age of 13 require the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
GUIDELINES

ENTRY FLOW

  • STEP1

    Registration

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

  • STEP2

    Submission of Entry

    Only one piece of entry may be submitted per person. 3 still image files of the same entry can be submitted.

  • STEP3

    Complete!

    If you are a Registered Applicant, you can SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY or EDIT PERSONAL INFO on PERSONAL PROFILE page. After you send REQUEST FOR PUBLIC OPENING, we will review whether your entry is appropriate for public opening. If it meets the requirements of Application Rules, the images of your entry will be open to the public on the AWARD website.

Social Media Award

The Social Media Award is an award that is selected from among the COPIC AWARD 2021 entries posted on Instagram.
An image of entry must be posted by an AWARD participant by him/herself, with the following hashtags included in the caption: #copicaward2021 and/or #copicaward_insta

The judging of the Social Media Award will proceed during the entry period of the COPIC AWARD 2021 (May 10 - June 30). Instagram posts posted after June 30 (the entry deadline for the COPIC AWARD 2021) will not be eligible for the Social Media Award.

*If the entry does not fulfill the requirements for Application Rules, it may be excluded from being a subject of judging. *The number of Likes an Instagram post gets will not affect the judging process.

FAQ

Can I use art mediums other than Copic?
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. 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, but we need a good quality photo for judging your artwork so please ensure you 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. Do not send actual artwork.