Nikkei BP now soliciting visual designs for WPC EXPO 2002

Tokyo -- April 17, 2002 -- Nikkei Business Publications has begun accepting entries to the 1st "WPC EXPO 2002 Theme Visual Contest." Solicited are designs that embrace the theme of WPC EXPO 2002 -- "Cultivate 'Ubiquitous Network Society' in Broadband Age." The designs should demonstrate a new relationship between people, IT and the Internet, where people would benefit from the fullness and convenience of the ubiquitous networking age for their self-actualization.

A screening committee consisting of four members (Miracom President Michio Iwaki; Satoh Taku Design Office Representative Taku Satoh; Nikkei BP Executive Managing Director Katsuhiko Hirano; and Nikkei Design Editor-in-Chief Takehiko Katsuo) has been formed to evaluate the designs that best express the theme of WPC EXPO 2002. The committee will choose one Grand Prize (prize money: one million yen) and several runner-ups (prize money ranging from 100,0000 yen to 500,000 yen). The Grand Prize-winning design will constantly be exposed to the media for promotion of WPC EXPO 2002.

Entries will be closed on May 13 and winners will be notified by late May. The names of the winners will be announced on the Nikkei Design website (http://nd.nikkeibp.co.jp/) in early June and also in the July 24th issue of the Nikkei Design magazine. The award-winning designs, together with designs that were considered as outstanding, will be exhibited at Tokyo Big Sight during WPC EXPO 2002. All inquiries regarding "WPC EXPO 2002 Theme Visual Contest" should be addressed to: wpc-tvc@japacs.co.jp


Guidelines:

- Entries should be made by May 13, 2002 to the following address: WPC EXPO 2002 Theme Visual Contest Administration Office Japacs, 4th Floor, Watanabe building, 2-11-2 Hirakawacho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102-0093

- Entries should be made with a submittal form with entrant's name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, age, sex, occupation plus name of company/ name of school (if you are a student), title of the work and comments to the work.

- Designs must be unpublished originals. Works that are currently under entry to other awards or those that have already received awards cannot enter the contest
- Entries can be made regardless of entrants' age, sex, or nationality. Entrants maybe either a professional or an amateur designer
- Any method can be used to create the designs
- There is no limit to the number of entries
- Designs must be submitted in an A3 size and attachment of data is required if created digitally
- Designs must be attached on a board being no thicker than 10mm (No glass boards allowed)
- Names of entrant and design should be written on the back of the work
- Designs must not be larger than an A3 size

Points of notice:
- Designs are non-returnable. Please be aware that notices on the receipt of entries shall not be given - No fee is required to enter the contest, but all entries shall be prepared and made at the sole cost and expense of the entrants
- No responses can be made to any questions concerning the process and results of the screening
- Copyrights to designs shall belong to the entrants. However, the entrants shall agree that Nikkei BP can show, broadcast, reproduce, reprint, exhibit and release the work at free of charge in the context of announcing the results of the design contest
- Designs will be used free of charge to promote WPC EXPO 2002 (including promoting/advertising activities conducted by exhibitors). Entrants agree that his/her designs can be retouched for such activities
- Copyright consents to any arts and photographs that appear in the entry should be obtained prior to making the entry. Nikkei BP shall not be held responsible for any claims pertaining to any infringements of rights and damages. All such claims shall be dealt at the sole responsibility of the entrants
- All entrants shall be assumed to have shown consent to the above notices at the point of making entries to the contest

For more information, please contact:
International Office
phone: +813-5210-8502
fax: +813-5210-8119
http://www.nikkeibp.com
e-mail: info@nikkeibp.com