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.

• Applicants must prepare exhibition materials such as pedestals, walls, and lighting on their own.

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)

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.

• 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.

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