Jan. 29, 2015

Lexus Design Award 2015 Finalists Announced

Tokyo, Japan, January 29, 2015 ― Lexus International today announced the finalists for the third Lexus Design Award, an international competition established with the aim of supporting young up-and-coming creators. A total of 1,171 entries from 72 countries/regions on the theme of "Senses" were judged by a panel of world-renowned designers and creators in November in Tokyo. 12 finalists were selected.

Four of the 12 finalists will get the chance to produce prototypes of their winning designs with assistance from world-famous engineer and architect Arthur Huang, game designer Robin Hunicke, architects and designers Neri & Hu, and designer Max Lamb. The resulting four prototypes will be exhibited at this year's Milan Design Week^* in April along with panel presentations of the other eight finalist designs. All 12 finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the Lexus exhibition booth from April 13 (press day and award ceremony) to 19. The Lexus Design Award Grand Prix winner will also be selected from among the four prototype finalists during Milan Design Week.

The finalist entries and judging committee comments can be viewed at LexusDesignAward.com. Those attending Milan Design Week are welcome to visit the Lexus booth at T32 Torneria/Carrozzeria, Via Tortona 32, 20144 (Zona Tortona). Further details regarding the Lexus booth will be announced mid-February.

Judging Committee Comments
This year's Lexus Design Award drew a large number of submissions, and a wide variety of wonderfully original ideas. In keeping with the theme of "Senses," many submissions appealed to the five senses or emotional, rather than physical, aspects of the human experience. After extensive discussion the 12 finalist entries were selected for their potential contribution to design innovation.

The Lexus Design Award competition is an international design competition launched in 2013 to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society and to support up-and-coming creators whose work can contribute to shaping a better future.

^*The world's largest design exhibition and features numerous events presented by furniture and fashion brands seeking to present their unique vision to the world.

Lexus Design Award 2015 Entries Selected for Prototype Development

Title	ANIMAL MASKS
Designer	Keita Ebidzuka (Japan)
Description	ANIMAL MASKS allow wearers to see the world through animals' eyes evoking a mythical world where symbolism meets reality.
Mentors	Neri & Hu

Title	Diomedeidae
Designers	Adriano Alfaro (Italy) Daiki Nakamori (Japan) Gaetano Mirko Vatiero (Italy)
Description	Generating electricity from its own flapping movements, Diomedeidae is a kinetic sculpture whose motion and light appeal to the senses.
Mentor	Arthur Huang

Title	LUZ
Designer	Marina Mellado Mendieta (Spain)
Description	LUZ uses emotional lighting technology to create an environment appropriate to any weather or climactic condition.
Mentor	Max Lamb

Title	Sense-Wear
Designers	Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati (Italy) (Caravan)
Description	Sense-Wear is a collection of garments and accessories that emphasize use of human senses.
Mentor	Robin Hunicke

Lexus Design Award 2015 Panel Exhibits

Title	Braille Reader
Designer	Juchun Jung (South Korea)
Description	The Braille Reader allows people with vision impairment to read printed materials, bridging the senses of sight and touch.

Title	>crosswalk<
Designers	Naoki Kaminaka and Ryo Yamaguchi (Japan) (KAMINAKANAOKIproject2015)
Description	>crosswalk< is a crosswalk design featuring arrows that guide pedestrians thus allowing smoother crossing.

Title	Embodiment of Fractal
Designer	Hiroyuki Morita (Japan)
Description	Embodiment of Fractal invites the viewer to experience the fresh visual and tactile experience of the fractal growth of a natural forest.

Title	Here Comes the Sun
Designers	Chun-Fu Chen and Chi-Ming Pao (Taiwan) (Department of Product Design, Shu-Te University)
Description	Here Comes the Sun is a heater that simulates sunlight coming through a window providing warmth and hope.

Title	INSTAMP
Designer	Yuzo Azu (Japan)
Description	Applying traditional East Asian brushwork principles, INSTAMP uses pressure and angle of touch to give emotion and artistic effect to Western lettering.

Title	Leather?
Designer	Amon Matsuo (Japan)
Description	Through the application of traditional Japanese papermaking/molding techniques to powdered shoemaking by-products, a new unique material emerges.

Title	Mnote, Mnemonic Note
Designer	Benjamin Xue (Singapore)
Description	Mnote is a writing pad designed to take advantage of our senses to improve memory and help us retain important information.

Title	yamaori taniori tent
Designer	Iyo Hasegawa (Japan)
Description	Inspired by origami, this tent appeals to users' senses as it is transformed from a flat sheet to a visually appealing shelter.