“Fog-X” is a jacket that collects fog from the air and converts it into water in arid environments facing water scarcity, which can be expanded into a shelter providing drinking water. Its functionality is maximized when used in conjunction with a dedicated smartphone application that guides the user to optimal fog-collection locations.

The project was conceived by Pavels Hedströms, a Swedish architect based in Denmark. According to Hedströms, Fog-X was initially a heavy backpack.

However, through the mentorship program, unnecessary mechanisms were removed, and materials were carefully selected, leading to its refinement into an everyday item: a jacket. It evolved significantly into a more accessible and user-friendly solution. The idea of using a smartphone app also emerged from the co-creation process with mentors.

“After three months of mentorship, Fog-X transformed from a heavy, oversized backpack (that becomes a tent) into a lightweight, durable jacket, and by combining it with a dedicated app, it can now provide potable water even in the driest deserts.”

The “Print Clay Humidifier” is a sustainable, power-free humidifier made from recycled ceramic waste. Its aim is to expand the use of recycled ceramics and contribute to the realization of a resource-circulating society.

The humidifier itself mimics the function of plants absorbing moisture, transporting it through internal tubes to all parts, and then evaporating it. A 3D printer is used to create a unique shape with a large surface area, enhancing its water absorption capabilities.

The creator, Jialu Chang, is an industrial designer from China whose work focuses on intercultural exchange and sustainable design.

Through advice from mentors, Chang adjusted the composition of the recycled ceramic powder to improve water absorption efficiency, further examining the material's effectiveness and potential, as well as the issue of ceramic waste, to create a more compelling narrative.

“During the mentorship, I also learned that a product must not only be functional but also blend simply and elegantly into any home.”

“Touch the Valley” is a 3D puzzle that allows visually impaired individuals to learn about topography and other geographical features through tactile sensations in an enjoyable way. By connecting the shapes of adjacent pieces, users can imagine the vast scale and majestic natural environment of a region through touch.

Temporary Office is a design team comprising Vincent Lai (Singapore) and Douglas Lee (Canada), graduates of the University of California, Berkeley. They work on a variety of projects ranging from architecture to product design.

Based on advice from their mentors, they conducted numerous user tests with specialists in visual rehabilitation training and the visually impaired community, improving the puzzle's playability.

For instance, they added features such as embedded magnets to create attractive or repulsive forces between pieces, designing the play process to be engaging and enjoyable for users.

“In the future, we aim for it to be utilized as a tool for meditation, 3D navigation, or as a puzzle for appreciating the beauty of nature.”

“Zero Bag” is an eco-friendly package that integrates water-soluble plastic with detergent components. When washed with water along with the product, it dissolves and disappears, thereby reducing unnecessary packaging waste and also washing away chemicals adhering to the product.

Park Kyungho and Huh Yejin are students majoring in industrial design at Hanyang University in South Korea. They have a strong interest in social and environmental issues and aim to find diverse solutions from a user perspective through design.

Thanks to the mentorship, they had the opportunity to deeply reconsider "what applications Zero Bag is suitable for" and "how to appeal to a wider audience," the two creators stated.

Initially, Zero Bag was conceived for clothing in the fashion industry. However, after researching industries where this concept could be applied, the final work evolved into packaging for food products such as vegetables, fruits, and meal kits.

Regarding the four winning projects, Simon Humphries, one of the judges, commented as follows:

“We designers have a mission to create solutions for social issues through innovative ideas and beautiful designs for a better future. From this perspective, the award-winning works reminded us of the power of design.”

Among the past recipients of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, many have already taken concrete actions toward a better future.

For example, NOTPLA, a London-based startup, conceived “Ooho!”, a capsule-shaped packaging made from seaweed-based ingredients as an alternative to plastic bottles, and won the award in 2014. After receiving the award, they welcomed specialists such as scientists and engineers and began full-scale production.

At the London Marathon held in April 2019, it was adopted as a container for energy drinks and distributed to over 30,000 runners. This significantly contributed to the organizers' goal of reducing plastic bottles from 760,000 in the previous year to 215,000.

We look forward to seeing how the four award winners of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023 will contribute to a better future with their innovative ideas and beautiful designs.