Lexus International has recently announced the 12 finalists for the Lexus Design Award 2016. First launched in 2013 to foster the growth of ideas that can contribute to society, this international design competition aims to support young up-and-coming creators from around the world. The fourth annual staging of the Lexus Design Award drew 1,232 entries from 73 countries under the theme of “Anticipation.”
A panel of world-renowned designers and creators gathered in November 2015 to judge the entries. This year, entrants impressed the judges by creating designs as yet unseen or undefined but likely to be realized in the near future. After extensive discussion, and after noting the participants’ passion and willingness to explore the unpredictable, the judges chose 12 finalist entries for their potential contribution to design innovation.
According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “The Lexus Design Award is an attractive showcase for talented designers from across the globe and gives them a great platform to showcase their inventiveness and creativity in design. The theme of design is central to Lexus as a brand in keeping with the Lexus Design philosophy of L-finesse which defines the core character of all Lexus products. We look forward to highlighting these talented individuals and elevate the discussion around progressive design in line with the chosen theme.”
The four finalists will produce prototypes of their designs under the mentorship of globally recognized creators. Architects and interdisciplinary designers Neri&Hu, along with designer Max Lamb will return as mentors, while designer/architect Elena Manferdini and artist/architect Snarkitecture join as the mentors for the first time.
The Lexus exhibition at Milan Design Week will run from April 11 through April 17 at T32 Turneries/Carrozzeria, Via Tortona 32, 20144 (Zona Tortona). The Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award 2016 out of the four selected prototype finalists will be announced on April 11 at a glittering award ceremony.
Further details on the Lexus space at the 2016 Milan Design Week, which is the world’s largest design exhibition, also known as Salone Del Mobile, will be announced in mid-February. Last year, the “Lexus – A Journey of the Senses” exhibit in 2015 earned high acclaim and won the “Best Entertaining” award at the “Milano Design Award” competition.
More information and pictures can be found on:
Lexus Design Award website: www.lexusdesignaward.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexusdesignaward/ or ‘@lexusdesignaward’
Official hashtags: #LexusDesignAward; #MilanDesignWeek; #LDAnticipate
Mentor Profiles:
Neri&Hu / Architects and Interdisciplinary Designers
Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, co-founders of Neri&Hu Design and Research based in Shanghai, provide architecture, interior, master planning, graphic and product design services, while recognizing that contemporary problems relating to buildings extend beyond the boundaries of traditional architecture. In 2014, Wallpaper* announced Neri&Hu as 2014 Designer of The Year.
Max Lamb / Designer
A modern day craftsman, Max Lamb is a furniture designer whose design sensibility is informed by his extensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques, respect for materials and skill as a maker. He teaches Design Products at the Royal College of Art and runs regular design workshops for companies and institutions around the world.
Elena Manferdini / Designer, Architect
Elena Manferdini, founder and owner of Atelier Manferdini, has collaborated with internationally renowned companies such as Swarovski, Sephora and BMW, while her work has been featured in journals and publications, including Elle, Vogue and The New York Times. She was recently awarded the 2013 COLA Fellowship to support the production of original artwork.
Snarkitecture / Artists and Architects
In 2008, Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen founded Snarkitecture, a collaborative and experimental practice operating in territories between art and architecture. Snarkitecture designs permanent, architectural scale projects and functional objects with new and imaginative purposes.
Judge Profiles:
Paola Antonelli / Curator
Antonelli joined The Museum of Modern Art in 1994 and is a Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, as well as MoMA’s Director of Research and Development.
Aric Chen / Curator
Originally from the United States, Chen is the newly appointed Curator of Design and Architecture at M+, the future museum for visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District of Hong Kong. Before that, he served as Creative Director of Beijing Design Week in 2011 and 2012.
Toyo Ito / Architect
Ito graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture in 1965. Among his many honors are the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize, Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement from the 8th International Architecture Exhibition “NEXT” at the Venice Biennale, Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects and the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Birgit Lohmann / Editor-in-Chief of designboom
Born in Hamburg, Lohmann studied industrial design in Florence before moving to Milan, where she has lived and worked since 1987. She worked as a designer and product development manager for a number of Italian architects and master designers. She has also worked as a design historian for justice departments and international auction houses. As a researcher and lecturer, she has conducted seminars on industrial design at a number of prestigious international universities. In 1999, she co-founded designboom, where she is currently the Editor-in-Chief, Head of Educational Programming and Curator for International Exhibitions.
Alice Rawsthorn / Design Commentator
Alice Rawsthorn is the design critic of the International New York Times. Alice is a trustee of the Whitechapel Gallery and the Michael Clark Dance Company, and chair of trustees at the Chisenhale Gallery.
Tokuo Fukuichi / President of Lexus International
Fukuichi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art and design, from Tama Art University. He has held many design-related positions at Toyota Motor Corporation, leading up to his current position as the president of Lexus International.
About Lexus Design Award:
First launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition that targets up-and-coming creators from around the world. The award seeks to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting creators whose works can help to shape a better future. It provides a unique opportunity for four finalists to work with a globally recognized designer as a mentor to create prototypes of their designs, and then exhibit them at one of the design calendar’s most important events.
About Lexus:
Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service. Lexus is the hybrid leader among luxury brands, offering hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and premier luxury. The evolution of Lexus is reflected in the progressive designs of its new vehicles. The signature spindle grille, dynamic light treatments, and sculptured lines create a distinctive look of luxury for Lexus.