Tokyo Design Academy 2026 Graduation Exhibition

ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) is pleased to present "Tokyo Design Academy 2026 Graduation Exhibition", the 42nd exhibition of the "ADF Art Gallery Project" by Tokyo Design Academy, from May 8 to May 28, 2026, at GARDE Gallery at Omotesando, Tokyo. 

Tokyo Design Academy has been dedicated to higher education in design for over 60 years since its founding. Located in Harajuku—one of Japan’s leading centers of fashion and cultural innovation—the academy nurtures highly creative talents across fields such as graphic design, art, illustration, animation, interior design, display design, and jewelry. This exhibition presents a selection of outstanding works from the 2026 graduating class.

Exhibited Works

Grand Prize (Academy Award): 《Imaginary Robotics》

Department of Graphic Design — Woelle Luna

A series of 3D objects that take on the form of robots yet lack function. The work visualizes how dependence on technology is transforming human existence.

Chairman’s Award: “Scattering Dream Children”

Department of Fashion Accessories — Sumire Matsumoto

Inspired by the artist’s own nightmares, this work transforms unsettling imagery into a mysterious and evocative world.

President’s Award: “When Stories Are Born in the Night Sky”

Department of Spatial Display Design — Yua Itou

Centered on the theme “the beginning of a story,” this piece expresses the image of narratives overflowing from books through sculptural white wooden forms.

Alumni Association Award: “Artificial Future”

Department of Visual Design — Tan Chee Yuen

A striking depiction of the emptiness embedded in AI-dependent daily life and the fading reality of human communication.

Special Jury Prize: “Reawakening”

Department of Creative Art — Norika Nishiya

An illustrated scroll that unfolds emotional pain, inner conflict, and eventual liberation through the passage of time.

Special Jury Prize: “A Chance Encounter in the Mountains”

Department of Illustration — Zhou Mingzhe

A story of following a cat into a mysterious mountain, realized with a high level of expressive skill.

Special Jury Prize: “Hunger”

Department of Manga — Lee Heesoo

A horror story depicting a protagonist who encounters a goldfish that devours human desires, and the consequences that follow.

Special Jury Prize: “5:30pm”

Department of Animation — Yuna Namatame

Highly praised for developing an original concept by leveraging the strengths of each team member.

Special Jury Prize: “Re-Reflect: A Mixed-Use Revitalization Project for a Former Light-Industrial Factory”

Department of Interior Design — Chung Yun

A renovation project of the artist’s family home in Taiwan, proposing a community space that integrates the memory of the factory with functions that support the elderly.

Tokyo Design Academy

Tokyo Design Academy actively promotes industry-academia collaboration. In Harajuku—where cutting-edge design fills the streets—students have contributed to numerous real-world projects, including commercial installations, display designs, and official station characters. You'll enjoy the creative perspectives of our students, shaped in this vibrant urban setting.

Departments

• Department of Visual Design
  Learn to design across a wide range of media, including advertising, magazines, web, and video.
• Department of Creative Art
  Develop original artistic expression and become artists who connect with people and society.
• Department of Graphic Design
  Refine specialized skills across four majors to become practice-ready designers.
• Department of Illustration
  Master analog techniques while building digital skills and discovering the joy of professional practice.
• Department of Manga
  Study manga creation comprehensively—from character and story development to technical tools.
• Department of Animation
  Learn professional animation techniques under instructors who have worked on major productions.
• Department of Interior Design
  Study everything from residential and commercial spaces to furniture and goods, aiming for professional certification.
• Department of Spatial Display Design
  A specialized program focused on developing professionals capable of producing spatial experiences.
• Department of Fashion Accessories
  Gain broad knowledge and technical skills while experiencing the joy of creating accessories and lifestyle goods.