Fujitsu Limited announced that it is hosting the Fujitsu Mobile Phone Design Award 2009, a design contest open to the public to enhance state of the art mobile phone designs.

As part of the pursuit in finding designs that meet the ever-changing and diverse needs of phone users, this contest aims to alleviate the pool of design concepts for Fujitsu's mobile phones. To host the event, Fujitsu is collaborating with the Japan Design Association, which has close ties to designers in Japan and around the world.

Design entrees will be accepted in two categories: 1) Practical Category – realistic designs that have the potential to be commercialized within 1 to 2 years; and 2) Dream Category – futuristic designs reflecting free and imaginative ideas. Outstanding works will be recognized and awarded with cash prizes.

The panel of judges include product designer Toshiyuki Kita, art director Manabu Mizuno, Nikkei Design Magazine's chief editor Kazuya Shimokawa, and art director and the Japan Design Association's chairman Katsumi Asaba. Entry submissions will be accepted starting from June 5 to July 31, 2009. Outstanding works will be exhibited at CEATEC JAPAN 2009 in October 2009.

Theme
Designs for Fujitsu mobile phones
1. Practical Category: Mobile Phones for 2011
A chance to let your dreams blossom - we are looking for inspirational designs. Winning designs in this category may be commercialized.
Design requirements: the design must show that the mobile phone is keyboard equipped, operable with one hand, and utilizes an LCD screen of 3" or larger
2. Dream Category: Mobile Phones of the Future
Futuristic mobile phone designs that reflect your free and uninhibited imagination - we are interested in futuristic designs illustrating cutting-edge technologies as well as interface designs that open up new ways of use, which in turn can inspire new design ideas for Fujitsu's line of mobile phones.

Eligibility
Designers in and out of Japan (professionals, amateurs, and students)
(information available only in Japanese, but submissions will be accepted in English)

Prizes
Grand Prize: One award (2,000,000 yen(1))
Runner-up Prizes: One award per category (500,000 yen)
Judge's Special Award: One award per judge (100,000 yen)
Honorable Mention: Several 

Contact
Fujitsu Mobile Phone Design Award Secretariat
Email: info@mobile-award.jp.fujitsu.com (June 5 to September 18, 2009)