LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2020 seeks innovations to design a better tomorrow

are you a young creator with the dream and ideas to design for a better society? LEXUS set up its design competition in 2013 that, every year, strives to promote a brighter future. now, in its 8th year, the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2020 returns once more to continue the brand’s commitment towards design and, especially, the next generation. the platform is unique in this regard; it is dedicated to you — the next generation of designers — and your innovative ideas. it is curated to not only support, help develop and promote your projects to an international audience but also foster and kick-start your future career.

with exclusive mentorships, funding for prototypes and the opportunity to exhibit at milan design week 2020, the competition rewards entrants in more valuable ways than just cash prizes. with submissions only open from august 1 to october 14, 2019, enter the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2020 now, here.

mentorship program at INTERSECT BY LEXUS – NYC in 2019
all images courtesy of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

as one of the most unique aspects of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, you could receive exclusive mentorship in new york city. the program offers a very real, very inspiring insight into the profession of a designer as well as what to expect in your future career. once there, the competition’s six selected finalists will participate in a very advanced, hands-on workshop led by globally renowned leaders in design. in 2019, this included jaime hayon, jessica rosenkrantz of nervous system, shohei shigematsu of OMA, and sebastian wrong.

‘in the process of mentorshop, I got many recommendations and ideas, and all of them greatly influenced my project,‘ states 2019 finalist dmitriy balashov, who designed ‘green blast jet energy’. ‘mentors helped me look at new perspectives that led to many tangents in the design.‘ as part of the practical workshop, you will receive expert feedback from the mentors, and learn ways to develop and perfect your prototypes ahead of the exhibition at milan design week 2020.

2019 finalist rezzan hasoglu with jessica rosenkrantz at LEXUS’ mentorship workshop

every year, the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD culminates in a special exhibition at milan design week — the largest and most visited design event in the world — and you could be part of it. finalists are given up to 3,000,000 yen (approx. 25,000 USD) to create, prototype and display their ideas. from designers and brands to global press, you will have the chance to showcase your innovative work in front of an international professional audience. this provides an ideal opportunity to receive even more invaluable direct feedback as well as to network and launch your design career.

the 2019 exhibition during milan design week

‘2019’s submissions revealed a strong awareness of the connectedness of our world and the need for increased social consciousness,‘ explains john maeda, technologist and LEXUS DESIGN AWARD judge for 2019. as one of the six finalists, you will present your projects in front of the elite judging panel at the LEXUS exhibition. the panel consists of a number of globally respected and leading authorities in design, who will crown one designer as the grand-prix winner. as well as john maeda, the 2019 judges included sir david adjaye, curator paola antonelli, and yoshihiro sawa, president of LEXUS international.

2019 jury members yoshihiro sawa, president of LEXUS international, and paola antonelli evaluate the finalists

the competition rewards unique innovations with unique opportunities, but, at its core, all entries must aim to create a better tomorrow. does your design anticipate not only the needs of the user experience, but the needs of society; does it demonstrate new thinking and originality in its proposal and execution; and is the design intriguing and compelling when realized in concept and execution? these fundamental principles — anticipate, innovative and captivate — will be used to assess your submissions and how suited they are for the needs of tomorrow’s society.

‘what is nice about the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD is that the designers who were chosen as finalists; their careers have progressed nicely afterwards,‘ concludes 2019 finalists rezzan hasoglu. with entries open from august 1 to october 14, 2019, enter the competition now, here.

2019 grand-prix winner ‘algorithmic lace’, lisa marks (USA); a 3D-custom lace bra for breast cancer survivors