The world is moving into an era where the mobility experience will be much more than just cars, making the Lexus Design Award even more relevant.
Launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Awards is an annual international competition for up-and-coming creators worldwide. It seeks to contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose work shows the potential to support the mass production of happiness and shape a better future. This noble mission is indeed even more pertinent during the unique circumstances we find ourselves in today.
“Design is essentially about solving problems,” says David Humphries, head of Toyota and Lexus Global Design. “Curiosity, open-mindedness, and the ability to listen and observe are essential to this task.”
This year, six finalists were selected from more than 2,000 entries from 66 countries to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience to prototype their ideas and be mentored by four leading global design experts Joe Doucet, Mariam Kamara, Sabine Marcelis, and Sputuniko!
An elite panel of judges (Paola Antonelli, Dong Gong, Greg Lynn, and Simon Humphries) looked for innovative ideas that embodied the three key principles of the Lexus brand – Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate – with an emphasis on design that leads to a better tomorrow.
The 2021 Grand Prix winner who took home the top prize was New Zealander Henry Glogau with his ‘Portable Solar Distiller’ proposal. The designer entered the Lexus Design Award competition primarily to work with world-class mentors, followed by the opportunity to make his vision a reality.
Graduating from the Royal Danish Academy with a Masters specializing in Architecture and Extreme Environments, Henry’s aim with his design was to provide drinking water, natural light, and energy from leftover salt brine for informal coastal settlements. He looked at the challenges and, importantly, where there was an opportunity to utilize what was already available in these environments. “What was quite important for me was thinking about how we could work with our ecosystems instead of working against them,” he explains.
With its mission of supporting and nurturing young creators, the Lexus Design Award provides experiences that launch creative careers. Previous Lexus Design Award winners have continued their journey as designers, bringing their talent to diverse creative spheres.
Lexus strives to work with emerging talent in design that demonstrates a shared vision for a better tomorrow—both for people and the planet. Henry and all of the design award finalists have fully shown their passion for creating solutions and adapt and innovate.
For more information on the Lexus Design Awards, visit https://fal.cn/3eSWR.
