ABOUT COPIC AWARD
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 2024
Key Dates
*Schedule is subject to change without notice.
What is Copic?
Copic is a brand of professional quality markers founded in 1987 by the Too Group in Tokyo, Japan. Our durable graphic markers are alcohol-based, refillable and available in various designs and in 358 colors to suit individual needs.
About CopicPRIZE
Grand Prize(1 Entry)
Cash Prize of US $3,000
A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic case, a trophy, an art book of finalists' work, and more.
The winning entry will be selected from the finalist works that passed the first round of judging.
Second Place(2 Entries)
Cash Prize of US $1,000
A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic case, a trophy, an art book of finalists' work, and more.
The winning entries will be selected from the finalist works that passed the first round of judging.
Future Generation Art Prize: Grand Prize(1 Entry)
A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic case, an art book of finalists' work, and more.
The winning entry will be selected among the works of applicants who are 18 years old or younger at the time of entry and passed the first round of judging.
Judges’ Awards(5 Entries)
Special edition Copic set with an autograph from one of the judges, a trophy, an art book of the finalists' work, and more.
The winning entries will be selected from the finalist works that passed the first round of judging.
Finalist(50 Entries)
Special edition COPIC AWARD 2024 set and an art book of the finalists' work.
"Finalist" works are entries that passed the first round of judging.
Future Generation Art Prize(100 Entries)
Special edition COPIC AWARD 2024 set
Winning entries will be selected from the works of applicants who are 18 years old or younger at the time of entry.
Regional Awards(10 Entries)
Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
Winners will be selected from entries per region (APAC [Asia Pacific], EME [Europe and the Middle East], NA [North America], LATAM [Latin America: South America and the Caribbean], and Africa [African continent]).
>>About Regional Awards
pixiv Award(1 Entry)
Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set, an art book of finalists' work, a free 12-month subscription to pixiv Premium, an exclusive interview on pixivision, and pixiv's art book "VISIONS 2024 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK".
The winning entry will be selected by the staff of "pixiv", the illustration communication service.
Team Copic Awards(3 Entries)
Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
Winning entries will be selected by the COPIC AWARD 2024 team, from all works submitted.
Three-Dimensional Work Award(2 Entries)
Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set and Copic Airbrushing System
Winning entries will be selected from all three-dimensional works submitted.
>>About the entry dimensions
Social Media Award(1 Entry)
A full set of 180 Copic Ciao markers.
The winning entry will be selected from the works with images posted on the applicants' own Instagram.
>>About Social Media Award
Applicants’ Choice Award(1 Entry)
Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set >>About "Favorite" function
The winning entry will be selected from the most popular works picked by the COPIC AWARD 2024 applicants with the “Favorites” feature.
>>About "Favorite" function
Copic Multiliner Award(1 Entry)
A complete set of Copic Multiliner pens (including all colors and line widths) and Copic Pochette
The winning entry will be selected from all entries created with Copic Multiliner or Copic Multiliner SP.
>>About Copic Multiliner
JUDGES
PARU ITAGAKI
Manga Artist
Paru Itagaki is a Japanese manga artist. In 2016, Itagaki debuted with BEAST COMPLEX, a short manga in Weekly Shonen Champion (Akita Publishing Co., Ltd.). In the same year, the serialization of Itagaki's critically and commercially acclaimed series BEASTARS began.
The work has won numerous awards, including the New Face Award for Manga category at the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival, the 11th Manga Taisho, and the New Creator Prize at the 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. BEASTARS has also been adapted into a TV anime series. Itagaki is currently working on a manga series called SANDA in Weekly Shonen Champion.
SHOHEI OCHIAI
Artist
After graduating from the Department of Production Design at Tama Art University with a major in product design, he began working as a painter in 2018.
Characterized by dynamic and unpredictable shapes, three-dimensionality, and strong line drawings, he has expanded his activities internationally, including contributing his work to JOOPITER, a digital auction house hosted by Pharrell Williams.
YUSUKE NAKAMURA
Illustrator
Nakamura graduated from the Design Department of Osaka University of the Arts. Since then, he has worked as a professional illustrator on album covers for popular Japanese music acts such as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, covers for best-selling mystery novel series and music textbooks used in high schools in Japan, and even packaging for candy.
Nakamura's venues for expression are diverse - He has also been involved in a variety of projects, including designing anime characters, producing radio programs, and writing essays.
KOTA NEZU
Industrial Designer
Nezu worked as a designer for Toyota Motor Corporation before founding his own design firm, Znug Design, in 2005.
He has been involved in the development of the zecOO electric motorcycle, the LOVOT family robot, the Toyota concept car, the Thermos portable mug, and many other products.
Nezu is also a jury member for the Good Design Award 2014-2024 and has written many books on design and communication.
MICHIHIKO YANAI
Creative Director/Professor of Tokyo University of the Arts
After graduating from the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Yanai worked for Hakuhodo, a leading advertising agency. He then founded his own company, KAZETOROCK, which specializes in advertisements and graphics. He has worked on numerous high-profile advertisements, including Tower Records' NO MUSIC, NO LIFE campaign. Yanai is also a creative director for Fukushima Prefecture, a professor of design at Tokyo University of the Arts, and a guitarist in a rock band.
How to Apply for COPIC AWARD 2024
Application Period for Entries | May 10, 2024 (Fri) 12:00 - June 30, 2024 (Sun) 23:59 (JST) *Application deadline may be extended without notice. |
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ELIGIBILITY |
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ARTWORK CRITERIA |
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TIMELINE |
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NOTICE |
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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.
Follow COPIC AWARD account (@copic_award) first. An image of entry must be posted by an AWARD participant by him/herself, with the following hashtags included in the caption: #copicaward2024 and/or #copicaward_insta
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 L17" x W12" x D12", with the weight of 11 pounds or less.
L420mm x W297mm is equivalent to the international paper size A3. For A size, A3 (297 x 420mm), A4 (210 x 297mm), A5 (148 x 210mm), and A6 (105 x 148mm) are acceptable. For B size, B4 (250 x 353mm), B5 (176 x 250mm), and B6 (125 x 176mm) are also acceptable. As long as it is within L420mm x W297mm, any paper size is acceptable.
*If your work is selected as one of the finalists, we will ask you to send the original work to us for judging, so we have set the above size limit.
*Please do not use ceramic, glass, or other materials that can be damaged during transportation as base material.
- 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.