Lexus Design Award 2021: Call for Entries Now Open

By, 2020-08-30

Lexus Design Award

Lexus Design Award 2021: Call for Entries Now Open

· Lexus proudly continues its support of next-generation creators with the launch of the Lexus Design Award 2021

· The ninth edition of the annual program offers a unique opportunity for six finalists to be mentored by some of the most respected names in the design industry

· The finalists’ prototypes will be showcased to a global audience as part of the prestigious Milan Design Week

31 August 2020: Lexus has recently launched the Lexus Design Award 2021 and is calling on talented creators from around the world to submit their entries to its annual design competition. Now in its ninth edition, the prestigious award offers a unique platform for aspiring designers to develop and showcase their talents on the global stage.

Established in 2013, the program continues to evolve and inspire innovations in design from emerging creators whose works can lead to a better future. Lexus remains committed to supporting tomorrow's talented designers by providing a launchpad for their careers that offers world-class mentoring, prototype funding, and unparalleled international exposure.

Every year, the event attracts thousands of entries from around the world. The proposals submitted span a diverse collection of disciplines, ranging from industrial design, architecture, and engineering to interior design and fashion design. Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative concepts and imaginative solutions that highlight the creative interplay between design and technology.

One Grand Prix winner will be selected from among six finalists by an esteemed judging panel of today's most influential figures in art, design, and technology. Past judges have included renowned luminaries Paola Antonelli, Aric Chen, and Sir David Adjaye. The judges' decision will be based on three key principles of the Lexus brand: Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate, with an emphasis on design that leads to a better tomorrow.

“We are delighted to launch the 2021 edition of the Lexus Design Award and invite emerging creatives to share their visions with the world. The award represents a unique opportunity for talented young designers to transform their ideas into exciting new possibilities with the help of seasoned industry experts,” said Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative ‎Office, Toyota Motor Corporation. “Pushing the boundaries and going beyond the conventional are at the heart of Lexus’ approach to design, and these awards underline our commitment to inspiring the great minds of tomorrow to anticipate the future and create amazing experiences. I would like to extend my gratitude to design enthusiasts around the world for their continuous support, which contributes to the award’s success and serves as powerful motivation in our quest to uncover creative solutions to tomorrow’s challenges through brave design.”

In early 2021, Lexus will announce the six finalists who will go on to participate in a workshop with world-class design professionals acting as mentors. Each participant will receive up to JPY 3 million (over USD 25,000) to develop their designs into physical prototypes, and will also benefit from continual follow-ups and advice. Mentors confirmed for this year’s program include Nigerien architect Mariam Kamara, Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis, and the sought-after American creative and entrepreneur Joe Doucet.

The Lexus Design Award will conclude with the announcement of the Grand Prix winner following the presentation of prototypes by each of the six finalists on a world stage during Press Day at Milan Design Week 2021.

The judges for Lexus Design Award 2021 include Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture & Design at The Museum of Modern Art, and Simon Humphries, Head of Lexus Global Design. They will be joined by two additional judges whose identities have yet to be revealed. The complete list of Lexus Design Award 2021 judges and mentors will be announced in the fall of 2020.

Entries to the Lexus Design Award 2021 competition will be accepted through October 11, 2020. Please visit discoverlexus.com/highlights/entries-open-for-lexus-design-award-2021 for more information.

Title	Lexus Design Award 2021
Last Submission Date	October 11, 2020
Judging criteria	Anticipate: Do the concept and design anticipate not only the needs of user experience but also society? Innovate: Does the design demonstrate new thinking and originality in its proposal and execution? Captivate: Is the design intriguing and compelling when in concept and execution?
Judges	Paola Antonelli and Simon Humphries, plus more TBA
Mentors	Mariam Kamara, Sabine Marcelis, and Joe Doucet, plus more TBA
Award categories	· One Grand Prix winner (selected from the six finalists) · Six finalists
Prizes/benefits	· Six finalists invited to the mentorship―a session with mentors from diverse fields who provide guidance to help elevate prototype design. · Six finalists invited to Milan Design Week 2021 · Six prototypes exhibited at the Lexus exhibition space during Milan Design Week 2021 · Six finalists receive up to 3 million JPY (over $25,000 USD) each to cover prototype production costs. Prototypes are to be produced between January and March 2020
Organizer	Lexus International
Application Process	For more information, visit https://discoverlexus.com/experiences/lexus-design-award-2020/program-details/official-rules

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 designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future. It provides a unique opportunity for each of six 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 International:

Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the world’s first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 1.5 million hybrid vehicles.

A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over 90 countries worldwide.

Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.