Young Guns 20: Kurt Woerpel
By Alixandra Rutnik and Brett McKenzie on Nov 02, 2022
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.
KURT WOERPEL
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ART DIRECTOR
Based:
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Hometown:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
When did you first learn about Young Guns?
I heard about Young Guns while I was still in school at Pratt Institute, back in 2013-14. I remember looking through winners hoping to understand what was happening within the selected pieces– what made them work.
Congrats on the first-time win! What made you enter this year?
I have literally forgotten to enter every year for the last four years, only remembering about a month too late each cycle. I just turned 30 this year, so it was a bit of a hail mary pass. But honestly, I probably only had it together enough this year to do it correctly, so maybe it's a blessing.
Young Guns is as much an exercise in self-curation as it is in sheer creative talent. After all, you are only allowed to submit six projects. How did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?
I like to do a lot of different things in my practice – try on new hats, etc. So I tried to pick projects that were the most core to my recent/sustained output. I tried to paint a clear picture for what might otherwise be a bit complicated.
How did you feel when you won? Do you remember the exact place and time you were when you found out the news?
I was in studio helping prepare for our (TXTbooks) table at Printed Matter's New York Art Book Fair and checked my email to track a package. It's a very nice surprise and I feel very warm.
Try defining your personal brand in three words.
''Damn that's crazy...''
Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your work and career? Who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?
Richard Turley is by far my biggest mentor– I've worked with him for a bit now and I have gained so much from his perspective on design and have learned a lot about working as a designer, and how to apply yourself, etc. Thanks for all your support, Richard! Sally Thurer and Erik Carter both challenged and exposed me to critical conversations when I was starting out as a designer at MTV News. Duncan Hamilton changed my design education by exposing me to independent publishing. I also want to shout out my friends Robert Blair, Thomas Colligan, Rose Wong, and Nichole Shinn who all co-run TXTbooks, which has been invaluable in giving me space to develop my practice. Thanks to anyone who has given me a chance. Most importantly, thank you to my parents for letting me go to art school.
Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire? What is it about their work that you love?
Tracy Ma (YG11) and Braulio Amado (YG13) are two of my favorite designers of all time. They both have huge ranges of ability, unique perspectives and huge toolkits to pull from. They can be punchy, obscure, chaotic, precise, goofy, or serious... or anything else really. The power! They are also both so talented as designers AND illustrators– we are often told we can only be one or the other. They have it all. Their work has (and continues to be) an inspiration and a model.
Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction! Who would you love to collab with in the future?
I would love to work with Vans. I grew up skating and Vans has been huge in my life. My house shoes are slip ons, but my all-time faves are the Old Skools.
"I would love to work with Vans. I grew up skating and Vans has been huge in my life. My house shoes are slip ons, but my all-time faves are the Old Skools."
This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032?
Hopefully making things that feel exciting to me, and living with less wrist/joint pain.
Best piece of advice?
Have fun as much as possible. If it's not fun, try to finish as fast and painless as possible. Pick your battles. Remember to make things for yourself. Find a space for yourself to grow. Be aware when the growth stops. Try new things and embrace amateurism. Be careful what you put in your head. Trust yourself, your influences, and your perspective. Take care of yourself (and your body). Exercise. Get a good chair, but remember to leave the office. These are all things I've both embraced and forgotten at various points over the last many years. Probably good to refresh.
Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!
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