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alter.   2025 NOV  Nihonbashi, Tokyo
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alter.
  1. Application Overview
  2. Support System
  3. Evaluation Criteria
  4. Application Requirements
  5. Timeline Leading Up to the Event
  6. Organizing Committee
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Application
Overview

alter. is a project / event that challenges conventional notions surrounding the creation of products, with its aim to redefine the value and creativity of design. Prospective exhibitors, please review the following guidelines and apply via the form.

Exhibition Fees & Support

alter. will provide financial support for exhibition and presentation costs, covering up to 3 million yen (tax included), depending on project scale.

Category SOLO PROJECTS S PROJECTS M PROJECTS L
Exhibition Space 5㎡ 15㎡ 50㎡ 100㎡
Team Size 1 person/group 3-5 people/group 5-8 people/group 8+ people/group
Exhibition Fee 100,000 JPY Free Free Free
Exhibition Support None 100,000 JPY 1,000,000 JPY 3,000,000 JPY
  • Applicants must prepare exhibition materials such as pedestals, walls, and lighting on their own.

Support System

alter. encourages team-based projects by providing grants for exhibition production costs. This aims to foster innovative design projects through interdisciplinary collaborations.

  • To break away from conventional norms and form experimental projects that innovate product design value and creativity.
  • To extend the potential of creation by integrating space design and audience experience into the overall presentation.
  • To promote interaction and collaboration among creators from different industries.

Eligibility for Financial Support

  • Financial support is available only to exhibitors applying under PROJECTS S, M, or L categories.
  • Individual or single-entity exhibitions (SOLO applicants) are not eligible for financial support.
  • The support covers costs related to exhibition and presentation at the venue (e.g., production of display fixtures, installation costs, transportation fees, etc.).
  • Product development, manufacturing costs, and promotional materials (e.g., brochures) are not covered under this support scheme.
  • To ensure transparency in fund allocation and usage, applicants must submit a comprehensive budget estimate detailing the total project cost as well as specific venue-related exhibition and presentation expenses.
  • The submitted budget estimates will be reviewed by the organizing committee. The eligible support amount will be determined based on either the total relevant expenses or the maximum financial support limit, whichever is lower.
  • If the exact costs are not finalized at the time of application, a preliminary estimate must be submitted. Upon selection, applicants will be required to provide a detailed final budget and actual expense report, which will serve as the basis for determining the final support amount.
  • Some expenses may be deemed ineligible for support upon review. In such cases, applicants will be notified by the organizing committee.
  • All recipients of financial support must retain and submit supporting documents (e.g., receipts, invoices) as proof of expenditure upon request.

Support Conditions

  • PROJECTS S：15㎡ / Up to 100,000 JPY / Team of 3+ people
  • PROJECTS M：50㎡ / Up to 1,000,000 JPY / Interdisciplinary team of 5-8 people
  • PROJECTS L：100㎡ / Up to 3,000,000 JPY / Interdisciplinary team of 8+ people, must include at least one interior designer or architect

Examples of Interdisciplinary Fields

Fashion designers, graphic designers, photographers, sculptors, painters, chefs, florists, craftsmen, digital artists, performers, musicians, filmmakers, etc.

Example of budget estimate

Example (PDF)

Evaluation
Criteria

The evaluation includes not just the product itself, but also the overall concept, exhibition design, and presentation strategy. Past works may be submitted, but they must be recontextualized with a fresh perspective or curatorial approach.

alter. seeks product designs that challenge conventional concepts with originality and strong individuality across three key aspects:

  1. Function：Clearly defined purpose and interaction with the external environment.
  2. Aesthetic：A clear personal vision of beauty, embodied to the highest possible degree.
  3. Expression：Boldly showcasing something yet to be revealed.

Selection Process

  • The committee will conduct the selection process with a global design perspective.
  • Evaluations will consider both product design and exhibition/presentation methodology.
  • Committee members will also highlight particularly outstanding projects.

Application
Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials via the designated form.

1. Application Category

Choose from SOLO / PROJECTS S / M / L.

2. Representative Info

One main contact person per application.

3. Application Materials

1. Project / Exhibitor Overview

  • Team composition (required for PROJECTS S / M / L)
  • Member profiles (max 1 page per person)

2. Exhibition Proposal (max 5 pages, PDF format)

  • Concept
  • Exhibition plan
  • Visual renderings
  • Optional additional notes (1 extra page allowed)

*Application documents (① and ②) must be compiled into a single PDF file with a maximum size of 10MB and formatted in 4:3 or 16:9 landscape orientation.
*The PDF file size must not exceed 10MB.
*Ensure that your submission meets the specific requirements for each application category.
*Clearly state the purpose of the composition and define each member’s role.
*Member profiles should be limited to one page per person.
*The exhibition proposal, including optional additional text, should not exceed five pages.

4. Budget Estimate (For PROJECT S / M / L Applicants Only)

*Download the designated format from the link below:
Budget Estimate Template

*Refer to the provided example and fill in the required information. Upload the completed document as a spreadsheet file.
*File name format: alter_Estimate_"Representative’s Name in Alphabet"
*Clearly label expense categories and breakdowns so that their purpose and details are easily understandable.
*In the "Exhibition-Related Subsidy Eligibility" section, indicate applicable items with a ● based on your assessment.
*However, please note that the organizing committee may determine that some requested items are not eligible for financial support, even if marked by the applicant.
  • Application registration and all documents must be submitted in English. (Japanese is optional.)
  • Submissions that do not follow the specified format will be disqualified.
  • Applicants may be required to present their proposal online as part of the selection process.
  • If the actual exhibition differs significantly from the application details, financial support and exhibition rights may be revoked, and reimbursement may be required.
  • If changes to team members or exhibition content become necessary, promptly notify the organizing committee.
  • Depending on the nature of the changes, the selection approval may be revoked, potentially requiring repayment of granted funds.

For inquiries regarding the application process, please contact:
contact@altertokyo.com

Application Deadline : Thursday, April 30, 2025 at noon Japan time

Timeline Leading
Up to the Event

  • March 7 – Call for Applications Opens
  • April 30 – Application Deadline
  • Mid-June – Notification of Selection Results
  • Mid-July – Submission of Exhibition Plans & Promotional Materials
  • Late August – Official Website Launch
  • Early September – Press Release Distribution
  • November 6 – Press Preview / Reception
  • November 7–9 – alter. 2025, Tokyo Event
*The above schedule may change due to various circumstances.

Organizing
Committee

Kensuke Kidani, Masaaki Ando, Sang-ai Kim, Shunta Ishigami, Taku Sato, Takuto Imagawa, Yuta Takeda