Spotlighting the stupendous class of Young Guns 20
Nearly 100 renowned industry professionals made up the jury for Young Guns this year. And after revealing the 84 finalists, it is finally time to unveil the 31 winners who make up the class of Young Guns 20.
Every year, we add another class of young talent from all over the globe to the exclusive Young Guns community. The winners of Young Guns 20 are your next project directors, animators, designers, editors, illustrators, artists, photographers, storytellers, coders, and writers. So this is your cue to follow them on Instagram immediately– because they are our industry’s future legends after all.
In two weeks, the winners will fly into NYC from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, make new friends, have a few cocktails, and take home their official Young Guns Cube. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:30 PM– and we hope to see you there too!
Before the party begins, we took the time to get to know each of our winners so you can read up on the highly creative individuals who make up Young Guns 20.
ENLE LI
ANIMATION DIRECTOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Based:
New York City & New Jersey
Hometown:
Fuzhou, China & Queens, New York
When did you first learn about Young Guns? What were your initial impressions of the Young Guns competition — the award and the community?
Back as a student at SVA in NYC, I remember seeing many talented designers and creatives on the list every year. And over time, some of my friends made it on the list and it naturally inspired me to apply for the award.
What motivated you to enter this year?
Many of my friends who had previously won the award gave me a lot of encouragement to enter. I feel blessed to be a part of Young Guns 20. It feels like a nice pat on the shoulder to win as I enter into my 30s.
How did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?
It was a pretty easy decision for me to decide which work to submit. Most of the projects I curated are those I resonated the most with my own sensibility.
Do you remember the exact place and time you were when you found out the news that you won?
The news caught me off guard during a boring weekday lunch. It definitely spiced up the lunch and made my day.
How would you describe your personal brand in one sentence? Now, try defining it in three words.
Most of my work is driven by my innate feelings instead of being defined by a style per se. In one sentence, it’s “A creative act that explores the universe of surrealism and emotional sensibilities.” Quiet. Surreal. Emotionally driven.
"A creative act that explores the universe of surrealism and emotional sensibilities."
Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your career? Who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?
A variety of artists inspired me in many different ways throughout my work including Satoshi Kon, Moebius, Rene Magritte, Hayao Miyazaki, Geoff Mcfetridge, Roger Dean, and Jonathan Djob Nkondo.
I’m fortunate enough to have mentors in my life. My first mentor was Ori Kleiner, he was my junior motion design teacher at SVA in NYC. He navigated me into the world of animation. But most importantly, he showed me constant support and love till this day. Shout out to Daniel Oeffinger (YG11), who taught me so much and gave me the opportunity to work with Buck when I first graduated. Later, I worked under Monica Eunji Kim at Google Creative Lab and she showed me things that I wish I knew in school, which widened my perspective on the pursuit of the arts. And of course the constant support and advice from my family and all my talented friends.
Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
Nicholas Ménard (YG12), Moth Collective (YG12), Daniel Oeffinger, Jaedoo Lee (YG18), Jorge Canedo Estrada (YG12), Tracy Ma (YG11), Tim Lahan (YG10), and Saad Moosajee (YG18). I’m so lucky to be friends with most of them in real life and have them as a source of inspiration.
Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — who would you love to collab with?
I would collaborate with friends and talent to make an animated short feature film .
This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032, both personally and professionally?
On a personal and professional level, I hope I still carry this true passion seeping through all my work, I'm able to navigate around different levels of creative roadblocks, I collaborate with more artists from different disciplines, and I constantly love the people around me.
Any thoughts on how you are feeling about winning YG20? Best piece of advice you have ever received?
I’m humbled to be one of the winners this year. The best advice I have ever received, is to keep making things, and learning through them constantly. By mastering your craft and skillset, you will keep up with your creative growth. And lastly, always balance your life with love, hobbies, and healthy habits, because it’s essential for our creative pursuits and to stay alive.
Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!
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