Call for Entries:
Global Award on Ideas for “New Lighting” with Flexible OLED Lighting Panels
Konica Minolta “Lighting of the Future” Award

Tokyo (October 23, 2012) – The Konica Minolta Group (Konica Minolta) today announced that it offers Konica Minolta “Lighting of the Future” Award and welcomes online entries, from all over the world, with unique ideas for lighting that utilize advantages of flexible-type OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) lighting panel, a promising technology as next-generation lighting.

Submissions are accepted from November 1, 2012 through December 3, 2012. There is no restriction on the applicants' age, gender or nationality. Konica Minolta will honor the best overall idea as winner of Grand Prix, a runner-up as winner of Excellence Award, and five ideas as winners of General Awards. The Grand Prix-winning idea will be produced as “Lighting of the Future” and showcased on the web, as well as at exhibitions in Japan and overseas.

Under the communication message “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta understands the problems the customers face from their point of view and creates new values by bringing the ideas into shape. The Group continues to create innovative products, services and solutions that bring joy, give surprise and stir emotions for businesses and everyday lives across the world.

OLED lighting represents a field of environmentally-friendly and energy-saving products where Konica Minolta's proprietary core technologies are fully utilized. The Group regards this field as one of the most promising new businesses and has been aggressively driving R&D and marketing efforts.

In March 2012, Konica Minolta launched a special website “Lighting of the Future Project” as part of initiatives embodying “Giving Shape to Ideas.” The special site introduces a variety of topics such as technical explanation on unique features and advantages of Konica Minolta's OLED lighting and interviews and talks, some in movies, with knowledgeable people about how OLED lighting will change the world of lighting in the future. In addition, a “Lighting of the Future” is being produced based on the ideas by Eriko Horiki, Washi paper designer (to be unveiled toward the end of October.)

As the second step of “Lighting of the Future Project,” Konica Minolta “Lighting of the Future” Award aims to expand the horizon of OLED lighting through giving shape to ideas from people around the world.

Konica Minolta welcomes fresh, original ideas that will give people a big dream for the future by utilizing flexible-type OLED lighting with great potentials.