Lexus International has recently announced the finalists for the third Lexus Design Award, an international competition established with the aim of supporting young up-and-coming creators. A panel of world-renowned designers and creators selected 12 finalists on the theme of “Senses” from 1,171 entries drawn from 72 countries.
Four of the 12 finalists will get the chance to produce prototypes of their winning designs with assistance from world-famous engineer and architect Arthur Huang, game designer Robin Hunicke, architects and designers Neri & Hu, and designer Max Lamb. The resulting four prototypes will be exhibited at this year's Milan Design Week* in April along with panel presentations of the other eight finalist designs. All 12 finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the Lexus exhibition booth from April 13-19. The Lexus Design Award Grand Prix winner will also be selected from among the four prototype finalists during Milan Design Week.
According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor Corporation, “The finalists for the 2015 award are truly pushing the boundaries of design just like Lexus is doing with our line-up of vehicles. The theme of senses is particularly relevant to Lexus, as the whole experience is about senses: from seeing the vehicle styling, to hearing the sound of the finely tuned engine, and to feeling the luxurious leather seats. The award has attracted worldwide attention for its unique mentoring programme to find and encourage talented individuals from across the globe who can contribute to society with their creative designs and ideas”
The finalist entries and judging committee comments can be viewed at LexusDesignAward.com.
Judging Committee Comments
This year's Lexus Design Award drew a large number of submissions, and a wide variety of wonderfully original ideas. In keeping with the theme of "Senses," many submissions appealed to the five senses or emotional, rather than physical, aspects of the human experience. After extensive discussion the 12 finalist entries were selected for their potential contribution to design innovation.
The Lexus Design Award competition is an international design competition launched in 2013 to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society and to support up-and-coming creators whose work can contribute to shaping a better future.
* The world's largest design exhibition and features numerous events presented by furniture and fashion brands seeking to present their unique vision to the world.
Lexus Design Award 2015 Entries Selected for Prototype Development