Dezeen promotion: a prototype packaging product made from seaweed instead of plastic has been named as the Grand Prix winner of this year's Lexus Design Award for emerging designers.
Called Agar Plasticity ? a Potential Usefulness of Agar for Packaging and More, the winning project is by a team of three Japanese designers collectively known as AMAM, mentored by British designer Max Lamb ? who is known for his experimental approach to materials.
AMAM initially proposed the concept for using gelatinous agar material to create environmentally-friendly packaging, as it is biodegradable and made from a sustainable raw material.
A prototype that uses seaweed to replace plastic as packaging has been unveiled as the winner of this year's Lexus Design Award Agar can be sourced from different types of marine algae, including the red seaweed used by the team, which is plentiful in supply and can be easily cultivated.
Since being shortlisted for the award in November, the designers have further developed the concept, and tested the material by sending an agar box containing a perfume bottle from Tokyo to their hotel in Milan.
AMAM's display at the Lexus Design Award exhibition in Milan shows how the raw seaweed is turned into packaging material
The annual design award, which aims to support young talent, is organised by Lexus International, and the Grand Prix winner was announced last Monday at the Lexus Design Event for Milan design week.
The event space was designed b...