Modern: Lexus Design Award 2016

The Lexus Design Award is an annual international design competition targeting up-and-coming creators whose work contributes to shaping a better future. 2016 theme is Anticipation (“… anticipating the needs of people and society.”). So, this year’s applicants were encouraged to submit their innovative designs that are true to this theme.

There were 1,232 entries from 73 countries and only 12 of them were selected as finalists. Four of the finalists will go on to produce prototypes of their designs, with mentorship from internationally recognized professionals: architects and interdisciplinary designers Neri & Hu, along with designer Max Lamb will return as mentors, while designer/architect Elena Manferdini and artist/architect Snarkitecture will join the award for the first time.

Here is the ‘fantastic four’, the finalists, whose designs will be turned into prototypes:

STUDIO AYASKAN, UK-based Turkish designers, and their Trace – a clock that marks the passing of time with a liquid that changes color under ultra-violet race.

AMAM from Japan explores how agar derived from marine algae can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic as a packaging material.

South Korean Myungsik Jane came up with the idea of DADA. It is a block toy designed to let children use their creative imagination.

Angelene Laura Fenuta, an Italian designer based in Canada, thought of a new approach to garment cutting that takes a modular approach to textiles to create a variety of different outfits.

The four completed prototypes will be featured as part of the Lexus exhibition at this year’s Milan Design Week, along with panel presentations of the other 8 finalists’ designs. The winner, chosen from among the 4 prototypes, will be announced at the awards ceremony on 11 April in Milan. .Cent will be sure to update you on who is going to win.