Fujitsu Limited today 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.