Celebrating the winners and runners up of the 2024 Lexus Design Award with a truly millennial whimsy – read: Jesus, Gen Z are SMART
Look, there are moments when I look at Gen Z and shake my side-parted head and think, pals, what the hell are you up to (apparently though, they’ve decided skinny jeans… aren’t that bad after all?!)
And then there are times, like my Monday night attending the 2024 Lexus Design Award, where I look at our young people with awe and wonder and think, damn, the planet is, in fact, in good hands.
A gathering of uni students (what IS the collective noun for smart young people? An inspiration? A youth? An intimidation?!) saw design finalists from the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology come together to show off their incredible concepts that they’ve developed and why yes, I was FEELING wholy inadequate after leaving, thank you very much.
Focused on empowering and encouraging the next generation of local creators, Lexus Design Awards challenges emerging student designers attending Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the University of Auckland (UoA) to respond to a brief that requires imagination and sustainable thinking while exploring three key Lexus brand principles: Anticipate, Innovate and Captivate.
So if, like me, you’d like to spend a few minutes regretting that you didn’t pay more attention in science and materials tech, or thinking to yourself, ‘what was I up to when I was 21?’ (Me? I was probably at the University of Auckland’s bar Shadows and I didn’t even go there) here the winners – and a massive congratulations to these students and everyone else who entered the awards!
AUT Winner: Daniel Brink for their concept ‘Myolink’
Daniel Brink’s MyoLink is a wearable EMG sensor system designed to prevent lumbar muscle strain in construction workers. The sensor, integrated into a belt, collects health data such as muscle strain, heart rate, and temperature, sending alerts via an app if the user approaches unsafe conditions. MyoLink supports natural movement to promote lasting health and provides employers with safety insights, aiming to reduce costly injuries and improve workplace safety in construction.
UoA Winner: Pia Sutherland for their concept ‘baBI’
baBI is a modular, remote monitoring network designed to advance conservation in New Zealand. Each core device can support various sensors—such as weather, soil, and camera—tailored to specific ecological needs. Distributed across the country, the devices send real-time data to a central database for AI-driven analysis. An online tool provides customisable insights, enabling conservation groups, iwi, and citizens to respond proactively to environmental threats, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
AUT Runner Up: Deanna Griffin for their concept ‘Sustainable Service Ware’
Sustainable Service Ware reimagines long-haul economy in-flight service ware to improve passenger comfort and environmental sustainability. The design reduces clutter, eases service for flight attendants, and cuts waste by using modular, stackable trays crafted from recycled materials. Key innovations include seaweed-based, biodegradable single-use items and durable, lightweight ceramic containers that withstand industrial washing, reducing reliance on disposable plastic. This streamlined system saves storage space and decreases onboard weight, lowering fuel consumption.
UoA Runner Up: Giselle Conway for their concept ‘Worn Again’
Worn Again is an educational workshop focused on closed-loop textile recycling, aimed at reducing New Zealand’s textile waste. Community members are encouraged to bring their unwearable garments, which are shredded and spun into yarn at the Worn Again recycling facility. By teaching participants to recycle discarded clothing into new materials, such as yarn for rugs or coasters, the workshop fosters a hands-on understanding of sustainable practices. This circular approach not only diverts textiles from landfills but also reduces reliance on virgin resources. Worn Again empowers communities to adopt more mindful consumption habits, promoting a culture that values reuse and waste reduction in everyday life.