‘PIXEL’ by Hiroto Yoshizoe wins the Lexus Design Award 2017

Lexus International has recently announced the Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award 2017―PIXEL by Hiroto Yoshizoe―leading this prestigious international event to a peak of excitement. Lexus Design Award 2017 drew 1,152 entries from 63 countries under the theme of ‘Yet’.

“The Lexus Design Award always presents a fascinating survey of the issues currently engaging young designers, and what they consider to be the most important challenges and compelling opportunities for design today. The quality and scale of ambition of the submissions to this year’s award program was truly exceptional. It was very difficult for us to whittle them all down to 12 finalists, then four prototype winners and finally to the Grand Prix winner, although every stage of the process generated a feisty and enjoyable debate,” said Alice Rawsthorn, well-known design commentator and Lexus Design Award 2017 Judge.

Congratulating Hiroto Yoshizoe on his winning project, Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “The Lexus Design Award was created with the aim of fostering the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future. This year’s winner – Hiroto Yoshizoe’s PIXEL – is a work of tremendous imagination and creativity that captures the essence of what the Lexus Design Award stands for.”

Yoshitsugu continued, “Design and craftsmanship have always been a fundamental part of the Lexus brand, and the Lexus Design Award attempts to extend this tradition to an exciting new direction. I would like to acknowledge the support we have received from our customers in the Middle East for our efforts towards shaping the future of design and using the power of creativity to build a better world.”

Hiroto Yoshizoe commented, “I’m so surprised and honored to receive this prize from Lexus Design Award. I would like to thank Alex and Daniel of Snarkitecture for all their mentorship. I also offer my sincere thanks to all the people who have supported me on this project, and of course to Lexus for giving me this amazing opportunity.”

First launched in 2013 to stimulate ideas for a better tomorrow, Lexus is celebrating the 5th anniversary of this international design competition which supports up-and-coming designers and creators worldwide. The Grand Prix winner was chosen by an elite global creative design panel after presentations by the four prototype finalists. The works of all 12 finalists―four prototype winners and eight panel winners―were on display at the Lexus ‘Yet’ pavilion and revealed how they would apply the ‘Yet’ philosophy in original and innovative ways.

Lexus ‘Yet’ took place from April 4th through April 9th at the La Triennale di Milano, the Design and Art Museum in Parco Sempione, Milan, central to Milan Design Week, the world’s largest design exhibition, also known as Salone Del Mobile.

In addition to the Lexus Design Award 2017 display, the Lexus ‘Yet’ exhibition was composed of the three following areas where visitors experienced the exciting and infinite potential of ‘Yet’ through immersive and engaging installations.

Area 1: Ancient ‘Yet’ Modern

Inspired by Lexus’ ‘Yet’ philosophy and created for the opening space, this installation aims to create the experience of being grounded ‘Yet’ suspended by light―a wave ‘Yet’ a particle. Utilizing an ancient material ‘Yet’ a modern technology, The Mediated Matter Group debuts Glass 3D Printing at architectural scales.

Area 2: Static ‘Yet’ Dynamic

By exploring things from many angles, we are able to see beyond the obvious and discover the new and unexpected. This Static ‘Yet’ Dynamic installation reveals the Lexus UX Concept car, and expresses Lexus Brave Design. The Lexus UX Concept car embodies our ‘Yet’ philosophy. This expression of a progressive and strong ‘Yet’ artistic and premium product further enhances Lexus’ unique brand position which challenges conventional ideas about luxury.

Area 3: Retrospective

This event marks the 10th edition of Lexus International at Milan Design Week, highlighting the brand’s long-standing passion for design and innovation. And as we celebrate this opportunity, we take a look back at our nine years of design inspiration. Each edition highlights one moment in time through 24 frames.