grippin’

グリッピン DESIGN COMPETITION by ARAKAWA ARAKAWA

ARAKAWA CHALLENGES ITSELF TO CREATE NEW VALUES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS WORLDWIDE. AT THE HEART OF THIS MISSION IS “ARAKAWA GRIP” OUR INDEPENDENTLY DEVELOPED WIRE HARDWARE MECHANISM DESIGNED TO HANG ALL POSSIBILITIES. THROUGH THIS TECHNOLOGY, WE EXPAND VERSATILE SPATIAL DESIGNS BOTH IN JAPAN AND GLOBALLY. FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS SINCE WE BEGAN PLANNING AND OPERATING “TIERS GALLERY” IN OMOTESANDO, TOKYO’S CULTURAL AND CREATIVE HEART, WE HAVE SUPPORTED THE ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS CREATORS. IN 2027, WE WILL LAUNCH “grippin’”, A DESIGN COMPETITION HELD EXCLUSIVELY FOR INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS, TO SOLIDIFY OUR CONNECTIONS WITH DESIGNERS BASED OUTSIDE OF JAPAN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON NEW INITIATIVES WITH PEOPLE WHO SHARE OUR PASSION FOR “CREATING WHAT DOES NOT EXIST”.

APPLY HERE

SCHEDULE

  1. Application: October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027
  2. Judging: May 2027
  3. Winners announcement and exhibition: Autumn 2027

APPLICATION
OVERVIEW

1. Theme: “New GRIPS”

The theme for this competition is “New GRIPS”.
Whilst ARAKAWA GRIP is used for a variety of purposes, such as tensioning and hanging, we look forward to seeing entries that will surprise us with innovative applications we have never imagined.

The AF-3, designed by Takashi Nagatani and now an iconic product in the ARAKAWA GRIP range, was launched in 1984 and is still in use worldwide more than 40 years later. Today, our product range has grown to over 300 items, yet we firmly believe that excellent design possesses the power to endure over time and connect people.

We are truly looking forward to meeting all of you from around the world who are showcasing your ingenuity through this competition.

2. Eligibility

The competition is open to individual designers, architects and interior designers, as well as multidisciplinary practices, residing outside Japan.

3. Number of Entries

There is no limit to the number of entries per applicant.

4. Entry Fee

JPY 5,000 per entry

Payment can be made via Stripe or credit card.
Once you register your contact information on the official website, payment instructions will be sent to your registered email address.

*Please note that payments must be made using an account or credit card in the applicant’s own name.

5. Application Period

October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027

6. Rights

All copyrights and design rights related to submitted works remain with the applicants.

The organizer reserves the right to exhibit award-winning works and to use them for promotional purposes, including publication on social media and in printed materials.

JUDGING
PROCESS

Established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1973, Arakawa & Co., Ltd. developed its wire cable gripper in 1975. As a specialised manufacturer of Arakawa Grip, we develop and produce wire-based hanging and gripping systems for applications including picture hanging, shopfitting and lighting.
We are committed to supporting creators around the world and continuously improving the quality and functionality of our products.

As part of the entry process, every participant will receive an ARAKAWA GRIP sample kit. We invite you to physically touch, manipulate, and test the mechanism—using tangible interaction to spark and expand your creative vision.

While judging will be conducted digitally, submissions must be uploaded using the designated template populated with all required project information. We eagerly anticipate your singular, visionary designs.

1. Judging Criteria

  • • ORIGINALITY AND PERSPECTIVE:
    The ability to present a distinctive and compelling perspective.
  • • AESTHETIC QUALITY:
    The quality, coherence and beauty of the proposed work.
  • • INNOVATION:
    The ability to explore new possibilities through the use of Arakawa Grip.

*Understanding of Arakawa Grip: The judges will also consider how thoughtfully the entrant has explored and utilised the characteristics of Arakawa Grip.

2. Judging Schedule

Judging Date: May 2027 (tentative)
Submitted images and concepts will be reviewed, and three works will be selected as finalists.

*The three finalists will be invited to present their works either in person or online. The final results will be announced to all applicants by email by the end of May 2027.

3. Jury

  • Kaori Akiyama — Founder, STUDIO BYCOLOR / Director, 50 GRIPS
  • Yasuhiro Kaneda — Structurist
  • Hokuto Ando — Co-founder, Contemporary Design Studio we+
  • Suzy Annetta — Founder of Design Anthology, and Curator - contemporary design and architecture at National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
  • Hajime Arakawa — CEO, ARAKAWA & Co., Ltd.

4. Awards

GOLD GRIP AWARD — 1 winner / PRIZE: JPY 500,000
SILVER GRIP AWARD — 1 winner
BRONZE GRIP AWARD — 1 winner

Each winner will receive a trophy.

*Award-winning works will be exhibited at TIERS GALLERY in autumn 2027.

5. Return of Works

Award-winning works will be returned to the winners after the exhibition.

6. Other Conditions

Submissions that fall under any of the following conditions will be excluded from the judging process. Awards or selections may also be revoked if any of these conditions are discovered after the results have been announced.

  • • Submissions that do not comply with the application guidelines.
  • • Submissions found to be identical or similar to previously published designs, or to infringe upon any third-party copyrights, design rights or other intellectual property rights.

APPLY HERE

CONTACT

grippin’ Design Competition Team
grippin@arakawagrip-global.com