Call for Entries: "Lexus Design Award 2016" | LEXUS

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Award-Winning Works Exhibited at "Milan Design Week"

International Design Competition "LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016" Accepting Submissions

Lexus is currently accepting submissions for the "Lexus Design Award 2016," a design competition for creators who will lead the next generation. The submission deadline is Sunday, October 18, 2015, and this year's theme is "Anticipation." Winners will have the valuable opportunity to exhibit their work and give presentations at "Milan Design Week 2016," with selections to be announced in early next year.

Text by TSUCHIYA Motohiro (OPENERS)

Creators Worldwide Compete Under the Theme "Anticipation"

The "LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016," an international design competition for the world's next generation of creators, was established in 2012 with the aim of fostering and supporting emerging creators who generate ideas and "DESIGN" that contribute to a prosperous society and a better future. This marks the fourth year of submissions.

An exhibition of works from the "Lexus Design Award 2015" held at the Lexus venue during this year's Milan Design Week.

This year's theme, "Anticipation," directly reflects Lexus's core philosophy: anticipating the needs of people and society to pursue improvements in products and services, thereby creating surprise and inspiration. The competition looks forward to innovative design proposals born from creators' unique interpretations of "anticipation."

Award-Winning Works to be Exhibited at "Milan Design Week 2016"

The "Lexus Design Award 2016" will rigorously select submissions, with 12 award-winning works to be announced in early next year. These winning pieces are scheduled to be exhibited at the Lexus venue during "Milan Design Week 2016" in Milan, Italy.

The exhibition at "Milan Design Week 2016" will feature prototypes of four award-winning works and panel displays of eight others. Four works selected from the 12 award winners will proceed to prototype development, announced at the time of the award ceremony. The creators of these prototypes will present their work at the Lexus venue during "Milan Design Week 2016," where a final judging will determine the Grand Prix winner of the "Lexus Design Award."

For the creation of the four prototypes, four prominent international creators will serve as mentors. Neri & Hu, Max Lamb, Elena Manferdini, and Snarkitecture will provide support for prototype development. Winners will receive up to 3 million yen for production costs and will refine their work through sessions with their mentors.

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 Mentors

Neri & Hu

Max Lamb

Elena Manferdini

Snarkitecture

Although the "Lexus Design Award" is a relatively new competition, past recipients have gone on to achieve remarkable success. The Grand Prix, awarded for the first time at the "Lexus Design Award 2015," was presented to "Caravan," a design unit by Emanuele Corti and Ivan Parati. Their "Sense-Wear" was exhibited in Milan and later showcased at Lexus-related events in Japan and Russia.

Furthermore, Yuzao Azu, who created a panel display work as a recipient last year, has gained the opportunity to commercialize his award-winning piece, "INSTAMP." It is being prepared for release this autumn as one of the items featured in the "LEXUS collection," which introduces high-quality goods for Lexus users.

Last year's Grand Prix winner: "Sense-Wear"

Last year's award-winning work: "INSTAMP"

Sebastian Scherer, who created "Iris," an award-winning work from the "Lexus Design Award 2014" for which a prototype was produced, is now based in Berlin. After receiving the award, he secured new sponsors, launched his own brand, and achieved significant success, including holding a solo exhibition at "Milan Design Week 2015."

The judging panel includes Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Design and Architecture at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and architect Toyo Ito, alongside other leading curators and design professionals.

Award-winning work "Iris" from LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2014

With a rigorous and high-caliber judging process, the competition garners global media attention, and it appears that award-winning creators are presented with numerous opportunities even after the Grand Prix is decided.

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 Judges

Paola Antonelli

Aric Chen

Toyo Ito

Birgit Lohmann

Alice Rawsthorn

Tokuo Fukuichi
Lexus International President

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016
Submission Period: August 10 - October 18, 2015
Theme: Anticipation
How to Apply: Apply via the official website below (Application page is in English only)
LexusDesignAward.com/jp

Awards:
12 award-winning works for "LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016"
Grand Prix: 1 work (selected from 4 prototype works)
Prototype Exhibition: 4 works (selected from 12 award-winning works)
Panel Exhibition: 8 works (works from the 12 award winners, excluding the 4 prototype works)