Lexus New Zealand is urging Kiwi designers to enter future editions of the global Milan-based Lexus Design Award – after no NZ agencies signed up for the 2016 event.
“Being involved in the Lexus Design Award and gaining unique insights from mentorship is an invaluable experience that any New Zealand designer at any stage should engage in,” said Lexus brand partner Scott Bridgens, managing director of NZ progressive design house Resident.
“The design community is always looking for innovation and newness,” he said. “These things come as a result of good ideas which anybody can have. It is important that designers of all ages and stages attend and give their ideas the chance to realise value and flourish commercially.
“This is a world renowned competition and the ideal platform for young designers to gain invaluable mentoring and exposure into their work.”
Bridgens considers that the biggest challenge faced by young New Zealand designers is convincing other people to believe in their work and to create the need of a market to invest in their products to generate an income.
“The design industry will always reward bravery, conviction, consistency and sincerity,” says Bridgens.
“The only way to affect this situation as a designer is to absolutely and unequivocally believe in yourself, have a vision, plot a path and stick to it.”
This year, there were 1232 entries from 73 countries with 12 semi-finalists selected. Four finalists under the mentorship of globally recognised designers were narrowed down to produce prototypes displayed at the Milan Design Week, with panel presentations from the other eight finalists.
Lexus NZ communications coordinator Terri Dunn said: “There was a huge breadth of entries this year that explore diverse concepts from agar plasticity packaging, clocks that use UV rays to visualise passing time, ‘plants-skin’ that made of coloured mortar that enables you to see when plants need watering, through to fashion, furniture that uses wireless technology, children’s blocks and many more.”
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