It's All about "Anticipation" as Lexus Design Award 2016 Opens for Entries

Lexus International has announced its call for entries for the Lexus Design Award 2016. First launched in 2013 to foster the growth of ideas that can contribute to society, this international design competition aims to support up-and-coming creators from around the world.

The theme for the Lexus Design Award 2016 is "Anticipation". At Lexus, we strive to develop products and services by anticipating the needs of people and society. This year's applicants are encouraged to submit innovative designs and unique interpretations that are true to the essence of the theme.

Lexus Design Award 2016 provides an opportunity for twelve finalists and their works to receive an introduction to the design community and beyond at Milan Design Week 2016*. In addition, four of the finalists will develop prototypes of their designs while receiving support from globally recognized design mentors. The maximum production budget allotted to the development of each prototype will be increased to three million yen (around USD $ twenty four thousand). The finalists will present their designs in the Lexus booth, after which the Grand Prix winner will be selected from among the four prototypes through final review by the judges.

Previous Lexus Design Award winners are actively displaying their talents around the world. Examples include Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati's Sense-Wear, which was named the first-ever Grand Prix winner in 2015. Sense-Wear has been exhibited in Tokyo and Moscow alongside the works of other 2015 finalists. 2015 panel finalist Yuzo Azu is now preparing his INSTAMP for commercial release at Lexus dealerships in Japan. Sebastian Scherer, whose work Iris was named one of the winners in 2014, has launched his own design label and exhibited at Milan Design Week 2015.