Dubai, UAE – 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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For more information, please visit LEXUS DESIGN AWARD.com 
Official Hashtag: #lexusdesignaward

ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

Launched in 2013, the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD is a worldwide competition for up-and-coming creators. The Award seeks designs which show potential to contribute to society. Under the mentorship of established creators, the four winning talents interact and receive guidance as they bring their design concepts to life.  Together, mentors and winners work to realize the aim of the Award, Design for a Better Tomorrow.  The LEXUS DESIGN AWARD provides global media exposure to drive professional career advancement.

About Al-Futtaim – Lexus

Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality vehicles and exemplary customer service in line with its Japanese ‘omotenashi’ roots - the tradition of anticipatory hospitality. Leader in hybrid technology in the luxury automotive scene, both globally and locally, Lexus offers the largest line-up of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), which boast a number of advantages over traditional powertrains, such as high performance, unmatched fuel efficiency, substantial emissions saving, noise reduction and instantaneous acceleration.

In the UAE, Lexus is distributed by the Al-Futtaim Automotive Group and enjoys a strong network of showrooms and service centres across all 7 Emirates.

The Lexus sedan line-up includes IS, ES, ES Hybrid, LS and LS Hybrid and the SUV range includes UX, NX, RX and RX Hybrid, GX and LX. While the coupe range features the Lexus RC, LC and LC Hybrid, the F marque, home for Lexus performance vehicles, produces the RC F performance car.

Al-Futtaim Lexus is also home for INTERSECT BY LEXUS, a luxury space at DIFC where guests can enjoy hand-crafted food and drinks, while connecting with like-minded people and enjoying the premium Lexus lifestyle.

For more details, please visit www.lexus.ae; Facebook: LexusAE; Instagram: lexusuae; Twitter: LexusAE; LinkedIn: lexusuae and YouTube: LexusAFM

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

Al-Futtaim Automotive, one of the main five operating divisions within the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, is a conglomerate of motoring-related businesses, franchising some of the world’s most-recognised automotive brands and services.

Operating in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa and empowered by around 9,000 associates, the UAE-headquartered Group’s services span across distribution of new and used vehicles, manufacturing, leasing, and aftersales.

Ranging from passenger cars to SUVs, commercial vehicles, industrial and construction equipment as well as motorbikes and quads, Al-Futtaim Automotive Group offers an integrative customer-centric experience for motorists, fleet operators and contractors alike, and strives to become the leader in tailor-made mobility solutions.

About Al-Futtaim Group

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health; employing more than 33,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands.

Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organisation to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day. For more information, visit: www.alfuttaim.com

For more information, please contact:
Nour Aboulaban | Gambit Communications | nour@gambit.ae
Laureline Schwarz | Head of Corporate Communications |  Laure-Line.Schwarz@alfuttaim.com