Shape Shifters designed by Angelene who was a prototype finalist in the Lexus Design Award 2016. Image from Instagram.
Entries are now open for the Lexus Design Award for 2017 and Lexus want to encourage emerging designers to enter the competition which celebrates design ideas across different categories including fashion, textiles and furniture. Next year marks the fifth anniversary of the awards, which culminates at the Milan Design Week, the world’s largest design exhibition, in April where four finalists will introduce their works to the design community.
This year’s competition had more than 1,200 entries from 73 countries and half the submissions were from students with 80% of them having had less than six years experience in design. The four finalists chosen for the Lexus Design Award prototype their designs while being mentored by globally recognised designers with a maximum production budget per prototype of approximately $40,000 (NZD). Judges will then assess the four prototypes to choose the Grand Prix winner who may receive the opportunity to bring their prototype to production. Eight other finalists will also present their design ideas at a panel session at the Lexus Milan Design Week.