Lexus has recently announced the four winning entries of its 11th LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, the international design competition aimed at discovering and refining the capabilities of up-and-coming creators. The winners were selected from among 2,068 entries representing 63 countries by a three-judge panel featuring Paola Antonelli, Karim Rashid, and Simon Humphries, all of whom have achieved success in creative disciplines worldwide.

This year’s winning award entries continue with the tradition of addressing issues and trends of the times under the theme of “Design for a Better Tomorrow”. The four winning proposals aim at resolving social issues to help prepare for the decades ahead by creating a sustainable future and achieving happiness for all, and were selected based on the participants’ innovative projects that integrated their creative ideas with the Lexus brand’s three core principles of “Anticipate”, “Innovate”, and “Captivate”.

Commenting on the outcome of this year’s award, judge Paola Antonelli said: “Having served as a judge since the first LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, I appreciate the generosity, talent, and energy of hundreds of young designers from around the world, and continue to note the design field’s evolution, as these designers take an increasingly visionary, yet realistic view that encompasses not only humanity, but also all the rest of nature.”

Congratulating the four winners, Kei Fujita, Chief Representative of Middle East & Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “We are excited to see that the Lexus Design Award, now in its eleventh year, is increasingly recognized amongst creatives from around the world. This year’s submissions have been exceptional in terms of ideas, with the four winners demonstrating unparalleled creativity, resourcefulness, and a great capacity for forward-thinking.”

Fujita added, “Breaking conventions and going beyond the boundaries of imagination are at the heart of Lexus’ approach to design, and the Lexus Design Award offers us all an opportunity to continue creating amazing experiences. I graciously thank all those who made the award’s 2023 edition such a success, as well as each of our customers whose support has never failed to inspire us on our journey through the years.”

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023 WINNERS

● Fog-X by Pavels Hedström
An expandable mobile habitat that catches fog and turns it into drinking water.

● Print Clay Humidifier by Jiaming Liu
3D-printed non-electric humidifier made with recycled ceramic waste.

● Touch the Valley by Temporary Office
3D contour puzzle that helps visually impaired people learn about the physical environment.

● Zero Bag by Kyeongho Park & Yejin Heo
Clothing package that dissolves in water and acts as a detergent that can remove any chemicals from the clothes.

The three-month mentoring program kicked off in mid-January with the first workshop. During the mentoring program, winners collaborate with all four world-class creators: Marjan van Aubel, Joe Doucet, Yuri Suzuki, and Sumayya Vally. This process refines the winners’ ideas while developing prototypes that embody their proposals. First-time mentor Marjan van Aubel said “We live in challenging times where the design we create for the future needs to be considered in terms of whether it will work in the years ahead. That is, will it be suitable, practical, and possible? I hope to give them a future-proof perspective. For emerging creative talents this offers a springboard for their careers. I am excited to be part of this!”

This Spring, Lexus will present how the winners’ prototypes have developed and blossomed through interaction with the mentors. Also, in order to bring knowledge of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023 to even more people around the world, Lexus is planning to invite public participation with the People’s Choice Award. This will allow anyone to choose their preference from among the four winners as best representing Design for a Better Tomorrow. Full details will be announced at a later date.

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