Reminding Joy in Dementia Seniors: Winner of LEXUS DESIGN AWARD Proposes Emotional Stimulation
Grand Prix Winner Announced for Lexus Design Award 2023
In an exciting development, the latest Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award, announced in May 2023, is Singaporean designer Poh Yun Ru. Yun Ru's winning proposal, a rehabilitation support tool called Rewind, aims to help seniors with dementia strengthen emotional connections with their family and caregivers.
The Lexus Design Award, an international design competition established by Lexus in 2013, focuses on design proposals that enhance the happiness of all and align with Lexus's three fundamental principles: Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate. This year, Yun Ru's Rewind was chosen as the winner amongst nearly 2,000 entries from over 1,700 designers from 57 countries and regions.
Rewind is a device that evokes memories by prompting seniors with dementia to re-enact familiar gestures. The actions are reflected as audio-visual feedback on a paired device, providing a unique and engaging way for seniors to interact and communicate. Yun Ru tested prototypes of Rewind with seniors with dementia, including her grandmother, to ensure its effectiveness and accessibility.
Yun Ru's mentors, including world-renowned creators, helped her refine the design of Rewind to make it more familiar and accessible. One of these mentors was Maria Cristina Didero, an Italian curator and design scholar known for her work with contemporary designers and various design institutions.
The finalists of the Lexus Design Award 2023 present their prototypes to four judges, who ultimately decide the Grand Prix winner. The six finalists selected this year receive a three-month mentorship from world-renowned creators and up to three million yen in financial support.
The role of designers, according to Simon Humphries, is becoming increasingly important due to unprecedented environmental changes and the need for solutions to improve lifestyles. Design has the power to make people happy, and designers should focus on coming up with new ideas and offering solutions to problems.
The LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023 is now open for new entries, from July 27 to October 16. If you are a designer dedicated to improving the lifestyles of tomorrow in whatever small way, consider entering the competition and make a difference.
Yun Ru's idea for Rewind was initially inspired by her desire to communicate with her dementia-stricken grandmother. The award focuses on design proposals that enhance the happiness of all and align with Lexus's three fundamental principles: Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate. With Rewind, Yun Ru has certainly done just that, providing a unique and engaging way for seniors with dementia to connect with their loved ones.
