Lexus has launched a comprehensive scholarship and sponsorship program to support and foster emerging industrial design talent in both Australia and overseas.

The Lexus Design Awards, which we reported on last week (full details here), and Lexus Design Scholarship aim to provide a mentoring network and financial support for emerging designers.

The Lexus Design Awards are to be conducted globally and designers are currently being encouraged to submit entries via an online portal supported by industrial and design forum website, Designboom. A panel of six judges, including the president of Lexus International Kiotaka Ise, will choose 10 finalists from all global entries. These entrants will then be given the opportunity to attend Milan Design Week as a guest of Lexus. Two winners will subsequently be selected from those 10 finalists and awarded a five million yen grant to cover prototype production costs to display their designs at Milan Design Week.

Lexus Local Australian Design Scholarship with Melbourne Movement

Lexus Australia meanwhile will also give emerging Australian design talent the support they need to reach their full potential via the Lexus Design Scholarship.

The Lexus Design Scholarship gives designers the chance to attend and showcase their work at the Lexus-sponsored Tokyo Designers Week while also receiving a behind-the-scenes look at Lexus’ design facilities in Japan.

Lexus Australia will collaborate with Kjell Grant, RMIT design professor and founder of not-for-profit organisation Melbourne Movement, to oversee the scholarship.

Lexus Australia will provide $60,000 to the program over the three years.

“As a luxury marque, design and innovation is central to everything Lexus does – evident in the efforts of our master craftsmen, or ‘Takumi’,” said Lexus Australia chief executive, Tony Cramb.

“At a global level, the Lexus Design Awards bring together some of the world’s most renowned design mentors to foster designers of the future.

“Locally, Lexus Australia will ensure that emerging design stars receive the opportunity they need to succeed via the Lexus Design Scholarship.”

The announcement of the Lexus Design Awards and the Lexus Design scholarship coincides with the announcement of Lexus’ support of Tokyo Designers Week.

Application details and opening dates for the Lexus Design Scholarship will be announced at a later date.

Further information can be found at http://www.lexus-global.com/design/lda

Source: Lexus Australia

Tags: car design, design competition, designboom, industrial design, Kiotaka Ise, Kjell Grant, Lexus Design Awards, Lexus Design Scholarship, Melbourne Movement, Milan Design Week, product design, RMIT, Tokyo Designers Week, Tony Cramb