For the First Time, Victoria and Massey Students Can Join the Lexus Design Award

The Lexus Design Award is now open to students from Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University. Before this, only students from AUT and the University of Auckland could take part. This change makes the award more available to students from different parts of the country. Wellington now joins Auckland in helping young designers grow.

This inclusion lets students from more places try out for a big design award. It gives them a chance to learn from experts and show their work to others. The Lexus Design Award gives a space where new ideas can be tested and improved.

Each school involved will pick two winners, a top place and a second place. The first place wins $3,000. The second place gets $1,000. All winners will also get to show their work at Auckland Design Week in 2026. The event will be held in both Wellington and Auckland this coming November.

Design Mentors Join In to Guide Students

The new group of mentors in Wellington includes local design leaders. Gosia Piatek and Emma Wallace from the clothing brand Kowtow will help students focus on designs that do less harm to the planet. Megan Wyper and Patrick Kennedy, who run Acme, will also give support. They focus on design that looks good and works well. Their ideas will help students keep their designs simple but useful.

Two other mentors, Simon James and Scott Bridgens from Resident, have been helping with this award for years. They will continue to guide students in both Auckland and Wellington. Their long-time role helps keep the programme steady.

Open Doors for Emerging Design Talent NZ

This update is big for design students in Wellington. The Lexus Design Award gives them a way to share their work and build useful skills. It opens more paths for emerging design talent in NZ to be seen.

Design ideas can come from anywhere, not just the big cities. This new setup helps students from other areas show what they can do. More schools taking part means more ideas and more chances of great designs to come forward.

The task given to students asks them to create ideas that help with real-life challenges. It connects with global goals for better living and protecting nature. The brief asks them to think ahead, come up with smart ideas, and grab attention with something meaningful.

Students work on their designs over three months. Students will get advice from mentors during that time. They are expected to make their ideas into real objects or models. This lets them learn how to bring an idea to life while keeping the focus on helping others and the planet.

The awards mean more than just prize money. Students get to display their work to the public and industry leaders. This can give real exposure and help with future jobs or projects.