The Lexus Design Award India aims to identify and award the best works of industrial design created by Indian designers. The award looks to recognize and reward designs that anticipate challenges facing future society and imagine engaging and innovative ways to contribute to a sustainable future, while seamlessly enhancing the happiness of all.
Click on each category to view the details
This years’ theme for the Student Category is “Design For a Better Tomorrow – Anticipate, Innovate, Captivate”.
This category will consider original works of a conceptual nature by students who are currently enrolled in design schools across India. All entries submitted in this category must be in accordance with the above theme.
Entries submitted in this category must be industrial design ideas, concepts and explorations that attempt to embody the values of innovation, sustainability, usability, aesthetic refinement and industrial craftsmanship.
This years’ theme for the Open Category is “Design For a Better Tomorrow – Anticipate. Innovate. Captivate.”
This category is open to design professionals, teachers, thinkers and design enthusiasts. The Open Category will consider original, conceptual work that is in keeping with the above theme. Entrants are welcome to interpret the theme in accordance with their understanding of the challenges of designing for a better tomorrow.
Entries submitted in this category must be industrial design ideas, concepts and explorations that attempt to embody the values of innovation, sustainability, usability, aesthetic refinement and industrial craftsmanship.
Click on each category to view the details
This includes all products and product systems that are designed for use by end consumers and intended for mass manufacture. This includes (but is not limited to) consumer appliances, consumer electronics, and products for home and office. This award will not consider product designs that are intended as one-offs or artistic installations. This category includes all types of products except automobiles and automobile related design.
This will include all design work that uses textiles and fabrics as an integral part of the design project. This category includes textiles for use by the apparel industry, the home furnishing industry, and other allied business that use textiles as an integral part of a product experience.
The award for Lifestyle Accessory design will consider (but is not limited to) the design of jewellery, personal accessories, bags, luggage, footwear, clothing, lighting, interior objects and other lifestyle associated products. Like all the other award categories, this award will consider only those entries that are intended for mass or batch manufacture. This award will not consider designs intended as one-offs or custom-made pieces.
This award will recognize the best design work in furniture and products intended for use in residential or commercial interiors. Here again, the design work must be intended for mass manufacture and end-user consumption. This includes (but not limited to) seating systems, office systems, home furniture and lighting. Custom built retail interior design that is location specific and intended as a one-off will not be considered.
India has a large majority of people who rely on their craft making skills to earn a living. The handicraft industry is a big contributor to India’s GDP and employs millions of people. The Award for Design for Craft seeks to acknowledge designers who work with craftspeople and crafts collectives to help create products/services that in turn help craftspeople improve their skills and design abilities and simultaneously opens up new sources of income for them.
The Award for Eco-Innovation seeks to recognize designs, products, and processes that contribute to the creation of a sustainable environment. This can include ideas ranging from environment-friendly technological advances to socially acceptable innovative paths towards a sustainable future.
In Transit is a unique textile studio that upcycles and recycles textile waste from fashion brands, design houses, and export houses using handloom weaving as a medium. We follow a circular model to create our products ensuring that waste doesn’t reach landfills.
The idea is to have a dynamic, fluid and non-definitive single surface in which each Individual user interface can be unique as opposed to a piece of furniture that comes with a pre-definition of usability.
The inability to move hearts from donor to recipient is the primary cause for an abysmal heart transplant rate in India. LifeBox tackles this problem with a system that extends the preservation time of the heart to allow for increased travel time and distances.
The inspiration came from personal experience and observation through being a caregiver to an ALS patient in the family. 'Shreyasa' means offering goodwill. The simple act of being able to eat on one's own in a dignified and comfortable manner gives a sense of freedom and confidence to people with affected motor functions.
The inability to move hearts from donor to recipient is the primary cause for an abysmal heart transplant rate in India. LifeBox tackles this problem with a system that extends the preservation time of the heart to allow for increased travel time and distances.
Wellness concerns and lifestyle diseases are skyrocketing. In the current pandemic period, everyone has realized the power and need of natural, preventive, and holistic ways to increase immunity.
The collection is a development of Auxetic textiles that are self-folding, expand and contract based on the size of the human body.
"Every student is unique in their way. But how do we select a few from thousands of students based on their innovation capabilities? Studio Carbon, in collaboration with Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), designed a screening test and trigger creativity among school children.
'A Bar, A Circle, A Detour' is a minimally designed gender neutral jewellery collection of 24 karat gold plated reclaimed brass and handcrafted authentic Indian leather.
I took up gardening when the pandemic hit. Facing the dilemma of the amount and frequency of watering, I started to read up on the correct way to water plants.
This year, after thorough deliberation and evaluation by the jury, we will not be awarding a trophy in the category of Public Utility design. We thank all the designers for their entries in this category, and wish them the very best for next year.
Therefore Design collaborated with Piramal Swasthya, to provide design solutions that would facilitate better healthcare communication between on-ground caregivers, and the beneficiaries of 3 tribal belts in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh.
According to Bone Science, South Asians and South-East Asians tend to be the shortest with women having a mean height of 153 cm. This indicates that menstruators from the regions of South Asia and South-East Asia have varying anatomies.
The series of lamps gives us a peek into how far the material can transform in its own skin. The concept is to make wicker stand out by itself as an art piece while contributing towards functionality.
A modular air purification system that adapts to its environment and clean air sustainably.
Hot & Cold therapy device for quick pain relief & speedy recovery.
A simple, Inclusive Retrofittable-product that enables the Blind to consume Liquid-medicines precisely & distinguish between-medicines.
A modular air purification system that adapts to its environment and clean air sustainably.
Hot & Cold therapy device for quick pain relief & speedy recovery.
Kaapi is a traditional South-Indian drip style coffee filter in Ceramic, Brass and Cork.
A project combining craft and technology to create functional e-textiles for everyday applications.
By repurposing Tarpaulin into bags, we have reduced the manufacture of fresh plastic.
The recycled plywood pavilion “worms” through the landscape offering a unique reading experience.
A project identifying and exploring vernacular material as an alternate to balance ecology.
The first tile to be made with upcycled carbon emissions.
Restoration and rejuvenation of historic village well and shrine
Mobility and business solution for Indian street vendors both men and women.
A flexible furniture system to support dynamic work spaces.
Modular wooden toys range of 50 animal figurines intuitively triggering imagination/aiding cognitive development in children.
Micro irrigation dams is designed to fulfil the farmer’s water needs for irrigation and drinking till the onset of the next monsoon. It is extremely durable and light-weight.
ABLE is designed to help non-ambulatory or paraplegic patients independently transfer themselves between their bed and wheelchair. Its elegant mechanism does not require electricity and keeps the product affordable. Besides making the task safer and more convenient for caregivers, it also helps to enhance the self-esteem and independence of patients.
ACCUFILL helps users keep track of the amount of petrol entering their motorbike’s gas tank, ensuring transparency and reducing the likelihood of theft. As a tank cap replacement, ACCUFILL acts as an intermediate device between the fuel gun and the gas tank, providing a real-time reading of the fuel being pumped.
Meet the e-bike of the future. The Calamus One is highly responsive and efficient, powered by ultra-drive mid-motors and driven by carbon belts. With an emphasis on ergonomics and user experience, it sets the standard in safety, security and comfort, boasting an integrated collision detection system, all-round illumination and a host of anti-theft features.
The Deer Table was named after its sleek deer-like legs and minimalist look. It can be conveniently flat-packed and is available in two different sizes. The use of triangles in its design structure reduces the need for joints and improves its strength and stability. Made from bamboo, it also achieves a fine balance between design and sustainability.
Light, yet flexible and strong, the Butterfly Chair demonstrates the potential of using bamboo as a material for the future of furniture manufacturing. By using dies/molds, standardized parts can be achieved repeatedly and more rapidly. To further display its innovative approach, the Butterfly Chair can be easily flat-packed to occupy less volume during transportation.
SenseFlo is a service that helps apartments and residential societies conserve and use water more judiciously. By installing its non-invasive meter and display unit, building maintenance teams and residents can monitor their real-time water usage more accurately for better awareness and transparency.
Project Avirata is a 4-level online training program that aims to provide both personal and professional growth for teachers across State Board secondary schools in Maharashtra. By leveraging the reach of technology, it ensures that even teachers in remote areas can receive the same high-quality training as their urban counterparts.
A contemporary adaptation of the traditional woolen coats of the nomadic shepherd tribes of Uttarakhand’s Jaunsar-Bawar valley. The garment celebrates and encourages local spinning and knitting traditions while incorporating natural dyeing, handsewn techniques, and embroidery to enhance and accelerate its production process without sacrificing quality.
The BEST Transport Information System leverages the power of mobility and digital technology to deliver real-time information of buses. Built with the latest A.I. advancements, it improves itself over time, adapting to become more personalized based on the individual using it.
Tara Dhokra is a flexible module that can be adapted into hanging screens, trivets, wall decor, or even ceiling installations to suit a variety of budgets and spaces. Based on the traditional craft of Chhatisgarh’s tribal communities, Tara Dhokra’s thin linear construction achieves a modern look that requires tremendous skill to produce.
This leather lighting collection breathes new life into the traditional shadow puppetry craft of “Tholu Bommalata.” By applying a folding technique to goat-hide/parchment leather, structural rigidity can be introduced to produce these three-dimensional lighting products and installations. The leather is also drawn and painted on, resulting in an intriguing design that represents the pinnacle of Indian handicraft.
The Lunar Rover is a compact, lightweight device that is designed to navigate the moon’s uneven terrain and transmit HD videos back to earth. It can withstand extreme temperatures, overcome various obstacles, and wade through sliding regolith (fine lunar dust). It is solar-powered and can be easily transported due to its light-weight.
Paiwand seeks to up-cycle textile waste into fabrics for apparel and home furnishing. By sourcing textile waste from designers and artisans and up-cycling them through handloom weaving, hand knitting, patchwork, embroideries and other handcrafted techniques, Paiwand aims to develop a collaborative movement that will transform social and environmental standards within the industry.
Paiwand seeks to up-cycle textile waste into fabrics for apparel and home furnishing. By sourcing textile waste from designers and artisans and up-cycling them through handloom weaving, hand knitting, patchwork, embroideries and other handcrafted techniques, Paiwand aims to develop a collaborative movement that will transform social and environmental standards within the industry.
An IOT-powered sewer inspection & de-clogging system that can be remote controlled via a mobile device.
A resizable cast that locks the elbow and prevents twisting the wrist to speed up recovery of hand fractures.
NeoFly, the wheelchair, is designed for individual customization, correct posture, energy conservation, and compactness to enhance accessibility. NeoBolt, a motor-powered clip-on, converts NeoFly into a safe, roadworthy vehicle, which can travel up to 30kms per charge on any terrain.
A range of cotton-linen blend, hand block-printed upholstery fabrics, created with patterns designed to bring the magic of Indian heritage water systems into focus.
A compact & stylish South Indian breakfast cutlery set that makes cooking hassle-free
Three different materials were married in creation of this table, using the functional qualities of these materials to develop a unique piece for everyday use. The solid stone base holds the weight of the table and is supported centrally by an elegant steel rod on which sits a chic wooden tray embedded with brass laser-cut natural forms.
A global movement that cultivates the ‘I Can’ mind-set in every child. DFC offers a simple 4-step design thinking framework to help schools foster a learning environment by nurturing both Content and Character, Passion and Compassion, Doing Good and Doing Well - by design and not by chance.
Pluspack encompasses multiple novel features with specific advantages. The design innovations in this package design include a compact carton, dual compartments, an inbuilt tray, anti-tampering features, a labelled pack interface and anti-counterfeit features.
This project seeks to inject new life into the dying art of weaving with palm leaves and coir by exploring the different possibilities of incorporating these designs in contemporary furniture.
A project conceived as a part of the Smart City Mission in Pune, to create a Neighbourhood Upgradation Programme based on 3S concept enabling citizens to move Safely, under natural Shade of trees, thereby creating a Socially vibrant neighbourhood.
CtoK is a charitable trust launched in 2011 with the aim of bringing designers and artisans together, and empowering craftspeople from Kashmir to become independent entrepreneurs.
The designer's work helped upgrade a small-scale machine tool company into a full-fledged, design-centred CNC Automation industry. Industrial Design played a critical role in the company's local and global success.
Nadi Tarangini is a device designed to mimic Nadi Pariksha, the ancient Ayurvedic technique of Pulse Diagnosis, to accurately diagnose physical, mental and emotional imbalances in the body.
Pool Magazine is a monthly magazine that focuses on Indian Designers, Design firms, Businesses, Arts and Crafts. Perhaps the only one of its kind in India, Pool has helped bring focus and attention to the Indian design fraternity.
Gowtham Reddy, student of the National Institute of Design, has attempted to create a solution to the problem of watering plants regularly without daily human intervention. His self-watering system can keep plants watered for a 15-day period without allowing mosquitoes to breed in the stored water.
With the packaging for PaperBoat fruit juices, the design team at Elephant aimed to create an experience similar to squeezing & sucking a fruit. The form was aimed at making the consumption experience playful and fun.
Saif Faisal works with the 700-year-old craft of Bidriware, infusing the traditional craft with new thinking and innovative designs. His work strives at designing products for urban consumers using this technique.
Toile Indienne attempts to honor the Indian tradition of storytelling through contemporary and classic fabric collections - inspired by the romance of India’s history, crafts, and legends.
Greensole upcycles the soles of high-quality discarded sports shoes into trendy chappals and sandals. They help reduce waste and generate employment with their innovation.
Baro’s furniture embodies design influenced by the timeless mid-century modern movement, with particular attention paid to the balance between form and function.
The iBreastExam (iBE) is an ergonomically designed and well-suited medical scanner that is designed to be easily used by Community Health Workers. Its form is friendly and non-invasive, and the way it is held allows for a light touch on the breasts that translates into effective readings.
With the packaging for PaperBoat fruit juices, the design team at Elephant aimed to create an experience similar to squeezing & sucking a fruit. The form was aimed at making the consumption experience playful and fun.
The concept of the project is centred on re-imagining the character of the road; to create a social hub of food and festivities that meet international standards, where pedestrians are at the top of the hierarchy.
Akshaya Patra is the world’s largest Mid-day Meal programme, providing wholesome lunches to over 1.6 million school children across India, every single day. They leverage technology, design thinking, and innovative engineering to run their enterprise at this scale.
Daily Dump has created a slew of segregation products, composters, books, services to help people reduce the amount of trash and waste that ends up in landfills.
28th July to September 28th
August – September 2022
October 2022
October - November 2022
November 2022
December 2022
Submit your design solution using sketches, text, photographs and/or infographics laid out in a 420 mm format. Your A2 sized panel should have a 30mm margin (to be left blank) on the sides. Images should be at least 300dpi
The Panel should clearly state the following:
Open to professionals, students and design enthusiasts from every part of India and only to individuals who have reached the age of majority.
Contest Dates: The Lexus Design Award India 2023 ('The Award') begins July 28, 2022 at 15:30 (IST) and qualifying Submissions must be received by September 28, 2022, 23:59 (IST). The dates are subject to extension, in the Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.
To be eligible for the Lexus Design Award India 2023, all entries must conform to the following broad criteria:
Contest Dates: The Lexus Design Award India 2023 ('The Award') begins July 28, 2022 at 15.30 (IST) and qualifying Submissions must be received by September 28, 2022, 23:59 (IST). The dates are subject to extension, in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.
To be eligible for the Lexus Design Award India 2023, all entries must conform to the following broad criteria:
How does the concept and design anticipate global challenges facing future society?
How does the design demonstrate new thinking and originality both in the proposal and in the execution?
How does the design intrigue and compel when realized in concept and execution?
How does your design bring happiness to all?
In addition to the judging parameters given to the jury, these are the additional guidelines given to the jury for the Lexus Design Award India.
The Lexus Design Award India (LDAI) seeks to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future. The award aims to recognize and reward the best industrial design executed by Indian designers, institutions, design consultancy firms, and in-house design teams of companies. Good design is defined by LDAI as the synthesis of sustainable, ergonomic, aesthetic, commercial, industrial, and scientific disciplines to create products that simplify, enrich, and better human existence.
Lexus, as a brand, has always stood for excellence in design, ergonomics, sustainability, technological superiority, and responsible consumption. The LDAI will mirror these brand values.
The LDAI is an annual award that promotes good design across multiple categories. This is the Sixth year of the LDAI.
The award trophy, designed by leading industrial designer, Michael Foley, features layers emanating from an arc reminiscent of the ‘L’-motif. A high lustre silver finish highlights each layer’s depth, with its warm wood base humanising the machined anodised aluminium slab.
Watch Video
DESIGN FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
As a growing economy, India faces many unique social, cultural and societal challenges. From poverty to healthcare to livelihoods, designers are engaging with civil society at various levels. The award for Design for Social Impact will consider the social impact of a designer’s work in its broader societal context. The jury will look at how the designer’s work has impacted people and the planet. Entrants are encouraged to submit facts and figures, social impact studies, and endorsements by reputable social organizations to support their entry.