1,232 Entries Received; Grand Prix Winner to Be Decided in April

The "LEXUS DESIGN AWARD," an international design competition aimed at nurturing and supporting emerging creators, is now in its fourth year. This year, under the theme "Anticipation," 1,232 entries were received from 73 countries. In November, judges and mentors convened for a rigorous selection process, resulting in the designation of 12 winning works.

The judges, a panel of six including Japanese architect Toyo Ito and Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, offered their collective assessment: "We received many original works that conveyed the designers' challenges and passion. The 12 winning entries are expected to contribute to design innovation."

The recipients of four of the 12 winning entries will work with world-renowned creators—architect and designer Neri & Hu, designer Max Lamb, designer and architect Elena Manferdini, and artist and architect S.N.A.C.H.T.E.C.T.U.R.E.—who will serve as mentors, to produce prototypes with their support.

From Japan, "AGAR PLASTICITY - A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE," a packaging material made from agar by Kosuke Araki, Natsuki Maetani, and Akira Muraoka (collectively "AMAM"), was selected for prototype production. Other selected works include a block toy designed to foster children's creativity by Myungseok Jang (South Korea), clothing that applies modular principles to design by Angelene Laura Fenuta (Canada/Italy), and a clock that makes the passage of time visible by STUDIO AYASKAN (Turkey).

These four prototype works, along with panels of the other eight winning entries, will be exhibited at the LEXUS venue during Milan Design Week 2016, held in Milan, Italy, from April 11-17, 2016. The creators will also have a valuable opportunity to present their work.

Following the final judging at the venue, the Grand Prix winner, the top honor of the "LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016," will be determined. Details of the winning works and the judging process are currently available on the official LEXUS DESIGN AWARD website.

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 Prototype Production Works

Work Title | AGAR PLASTICITY - A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE
Winner | AMAM (Kosuke Araki (Japan), Natsuki Maetani (Japan), Akira Muraoka (Japan))

Work Title | DADA
Winner | Myungseok Jang (South Korea)

Work Title | Shape Shifters
Winner | Angelene Laura Fenuta (Canada/Italy)

Work Title | TRACE
Winner | STUDIO AYASKAN (Begüm Ayaskan (Turkey), Bike Ayaskan (Turkey))

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 Panel Exhibition Works

Work Title | aniknown
Winner | Ayami Marugata (Japan)

Work Title | Bio-Vide
Winner | Takuma Yamazaki (Japan)

Work Title | Drop Box
Winner | Ding Dong & Ma Jincai & Peter Luo & Huang Junxi
(Ding Dong (China), Ma Jincai (China), Peter Luo (China), Huang Junxi (China))

Work Title | Hexagon
Winner | Chulin Yang (China)

Work Title | PLANTS-SKIN
Winner | Hiroto Yoshizoe (Japan)

Work Title | Project Play
Winner | Oliver Styan (UK)

Work Title | RESOLUTION OF SOUND LOCATION
Winner | Owls (Yuki Shinohara (Japan), Takato Sasaki (Japan))

Work Title | Slow Door
Winner | Deepak Jawahar & Irina Bogdan
(Deepak Jawahar (India), Irina Bogdan (Romania))

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016
Theme | Anticipation
LexusDesignAward.com/jp