Lexus International today announced the 12 finalists for the prestigious Lexus Design Award 2018. Now in its sixth edition, this international competition invites young designers to develop work based on this year's “CO-“ concept. Derived from the Latin prefix, “CO-“ means: with or in harmony with.
The concept explores the potential of design in finding solutions and overcoming global barriers and challenges, through the harmonious integration of nature and society.
About the Lexus Design Award 2018
The “Lexus Design Award” is an international design award, which targets new talent from all over the world and aims to stimulate ideas for a better future. This year, more than 1300 entries were registered, from 68 countries. Of the 12 finalists, only 4 will have the opportunity to materialize their project to lead to the Grand Final in Milan.
This year's edition registered an unprecedented level of participation: more than 1300 entries from 68 countries. Sir David Adjaye, one of the members of the jury noted:
It was exciting to discover how the next generation of designers is inspired by new concepts and philosophies, which translate into innovative solutions to the fundamental concerns of today”. After the success achieved by previous finalists – as is the case of “Iris” 2014 by Sebastian Scherer, who won the German Design Award 2016, or the “Sense-Wear” 2015 by Caravan, which won the Portable Technologies Contest Venice Design Week in 2016 – this year's 12 finalists were chosen by a panel that includes references such as architects David Adjaye and Shigeru Ban.
Of the 12 finalists, 4 won the opportunity to develop their own prototype, having as mentors the renowned Lindsey Adelman, Jessica Walsh, Sou Fujimoto and Formafantasma. Portugal won a place in the “final four”. Brimet Fernandes da Silva and Ana Trindade Fonseca, DIGITALAB, will represent our country with the CO-Rks project, a system that works with cork thread, a sustainable material that uses computing to generate design products. In this final phase, they will be mentored by Lindsey Adelman.
In addition to the Portuguese duo, the following projects are among the 4 finalists:
- Honest Egg, esthetid {Paul Yong Rit Fui (Malaysia), Jaihar Jailani Bin Ismail (Malaysia)}:
Mentor: Jessica Walsh. Connecting Technology (Intelligent Ink Pigment) and Design (Indicator) to prove the edibility of the egg.
- Recycled Fiber Grower, Eriko Yokoi (Japan):
Mentor: I'm Fujimoto. Co-fusion between textile and green design, for the reuse of used clothing.
- Hypothetical Test, Extrapolation Factory {Christopher Woebken (Germany), Elliott P. Montgomery (USA)}:
Mentor: Phantom Shape. Imaginary test site, collaboratively built, to experience speculative relationships between society, technology and the environment.
The four prototypes and the remaining 8 finalist designs will be showcased during the Lexus Design Event, part of the Milan Design Week*, in April, where the 12 selected designs will be showcased before the jury and international media.
After the presentation, the big winner will be found. Additional details about Lexus' presence at Milan Design Week 2018 will be announced in mid-February on the official Lexus Design Event website.
