LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021 reveals expert panel of mentors and judges

first launched in 2013, the annual LEXUS DESIGN AWARD aims to identify, nurture and highlight the newest generation of global creators, and the 2021 edition continues this objective. in a world of constant change, LEXUS’ original mission is as important as ever – to support young creatives design for a better tomorrow. the competition has announced a new expert panel of judges and mentors, who, as leading lights within the design industry, will aid selected finalists in realizing their proposals and furthering their creative careers.

do you have an idea to better tomorrow? the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021 calls for entries until october 11, here.

as a global platform aimed at supporting and nurturing the next generation of creators, the competition’s mentorship program provides selected finalists with a unique workshop experience where they gain invaluable, direct guidance from experts within the design world. the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021 has revealed the prestigious names of the mentors: joe doucet, designer and founder of joe doucet x partners; mariam kamara, principal architect at atelier masomi; sabine marcelis, designer and founder of studio sabine marcelis; and sputniko!, artist and designer. the four mentors each offer a diverse set of expertize and professional experiences, which will make for an even more powerful, inspiring and insightful workshop.

(left) joe doucet, designer and founder of joe doucet x partners, and (right © atelier masomi) mariam kamara, principal architect at atelier masomi
mentors of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021

the finalists will be invited to the mentorship session scheduled for january 2021. the priceless experience enables mentors to articulate feedback for your designs, with the aim of helping elevate prototypes and bringing the mentees’ ideas to life. 

‘as a new member of the mentor team, I am very excited to see the ideas of our future generation of designers. now, more than ever, innovative design-led ideas will play an important role in shaping our future. I cannot wait to guide and help shape and realize these ideas with them, putting a focus on sustainable production processes and innovative and environmentally-friendly material choices,‘ comments sabine marcelis, designer and mentor of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021. ‘now is a time to think radically so I am hoping the submitted projects will be exactly that!’

(left © floor knaapen) sabine marcelis, designer and founder of studio sabine marcelis, and (right) sputniko!, artist and designer, associate professor of tokyo university of the arts department of design
mentors of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021

the unique mentorship program is just one of the many benefits of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD. finalists will receive up to 3 million JPY (over $25,000 USD) each to cover prototype production costs. every year, these working models are then presented and displayed at the dedicated LEXUS exhibition space during the world’s biggest creative showcase – the milan design week currently scheduled for april 2021 but subject to change. one grand prix winner will be selected but all finalists will be on an international stage to showcase and further their creative careers.

2020 edition’s mentor joe doucet and finalist aqsa ajmal during the mentoring workshop in january 2020

the esteemed panel of judges will not only select the winning grand prix, but they will also select the six finalists in december 2020. the panel once again includes paola antonelli, senior curator at MoMA, new york; and simon humphries, head of toyota & lexus; and will be joined by dong gong, founder and design principal of vector architects; and greg lynn, architect and CEO piaggio fast forward. the experts will use LEXUS’ three key design principles – anticipate, innovate and captivate – as the criteria to judge submissions. this is in the hope of identifying the next design – and designer – capable of creating a better tomorrow.

(left © 2016 marton perlaki) paola antonelli, senior curator at MoMA, new york, and (right) simon humphries, head of toyota & lexus global design
judges of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021

‘as a juror, I think the most exciting thing will be the chance to see ideas from young designers in all areas of design, not only limited to architecture. it is about a process of engagement and interaction,’ adds dong gong, architect and judge of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021.

‘I am happy to join the jury for the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD as I am certain to learn a great deal from the vision and values of the participants, from the insight of the mentors, and from the perspectives of the other members of the jury. I have followed the award in the past and am impressed by the ability to connect design with cultural challenges. it is exciting to be involved with a program dedicated to discovering, mentoring and awarding talented young designers who focus on tomorrow. now more than ever, there are so many challenges for design to address including social inequity, economic instability, climate crisis, and a health pandemic so I am sure to be inspired. this will be a case where the pleasure will be all mine,‘ explains greg lynn, architect and judge of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021.

(left) dong gong, founder and design principal of vector architects, and (right) greg lynn, architect and CEO piaggio fast forward.
judges of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021

inspired to help create a better tomorrow? enter the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021 edition now, which can kickstart your creative career with an international platform, prototype funding, and an invaluable mentoring program. with submissions open from june 30 to october 11, apply here!