Lexus Design Awards: Making A Better Tomorrow

The Global Lexus Design Awards have showcased creativity, innovation and mad design skills since its starting in 2013. In this year’s nominee list, we are able to hold up the Kiwi flag with pride as two AUT students, Jessica Vea and Gayle Lee, have made the spot.

Their concept creation, called Heartfelt, is a unique way of connecting to others through a COVID-19 world. Developed as part of the Lexus New Zealand Design Awards, and run with AUT’s Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, the small heart-shaped handheld devices with two individual parts will warm when held, as though giving a warm hug or holding a hand in emotional connection.

The awards will be announced in April, with the judges’ decision on the Grand Prix winner based on the three key principles of the Lexus brand: ‘Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate.’