Presenting the kick ass class of Young Guns 22
It’s a kick-ass class. Young Guns 22 is topping the charts in creativity. But are you even surprised? Of course, not. If you’re new here, let me catch you up. Young Guns is a community of incredibly talented individuals – think amazing cinematographers, animators, illustrators, photographers, designers, and directors – and a new class of winners is chosen by an expert jury every year. This year we have 33 winners and among them, we have some very new, very exciting titles to unveil – an Architectural Designer, Composer, Stage & Show Designer, and Colorist.
We interviewed the winners so we could share their prowess with you. And if you’re a NYC local you can snag a ticket to the official YG22 Party at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, where you will have the chance to meet and greet them.
Young Guns continue to dominate the creative industry, so we’re happily presenting you with the kick-ass class of Young Guns 22.
Aaron Fernandez
Illustrator
Based:
Brooklyn, NY
Hometown:
Orange County, CA
What were your original impressions of the Young Guns competition, award, and community?
I first learned about Young Guns back in 2017 when my former boss Jing Wei won. As a very young illustrator I didn’t know much about awards but I knew Jing was an incredibly special artist and person, so I figured any award given to her must be worth winning. It took seven years but it feels really great to be able to follow in her footsteps.
How did you end up in the creative field?
I’m from a family full of very creative people who had to be more practical with how they used those skills. So I was exposed to creative thinking from a young age, but in the form of remodeling the homes of various relatives. Before I learned to draw I learned how to tile a backsplash. My dad would sit and draw or paint with me every once in a while - basically since I picked up a pencil I knew art was going to be the driving force in my life. I’m grateful for knowing those more practical skills, but I was always delusionally determined to push beyond practicality and make things that reached people outside of my grandma’s kitchen. And I have to say thank you to my folks for - despite having little idea what I was actually going to do - believing in my delusion with me (at least enough to co-sign my loans).
Congrats on the YG win! Why did you decide to enter this year?
Welp, that’s correct it was my last chance for eligibility, but now or “never” has also sort of been the general theme of my life for the last couple of years. For most of my career I’ve split my time between freelancing and in-house jobs, but last year I realized my illustration practice had stagnated, and I just wasn’t getting the satisfaction I wanted from my in-house roles, no matter how high I rose in them. So in the scariest, boldest move I’ve ever made, I quit and made it my goal to live up to the promise I made to myself to live beyond practicality and make art that reached people and stopped them. So while I don’t recommend this way of thinking (and I’ve been burned by it before) I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I entered, at least in part, to prove to myself I made the right choice, I’m on the right track, and I’m going to be okay. Also, 22 is my lucky number so I felt like I had a pretty good shot!
You only get to submit six projects that embody you and your talent. So, how did you decide which pieces were good enough to make the cut?
Ooof yeah, picking entries was very difficult. I’ve lived many creative lives at this point so there was a lot of different types of work to choose from. But over the last year I’ve been developing a new style of working and decided to go all in showing only work in this new style. However proud I am of my past work or impressive I thought the client names would be, I know the work I’m making today is my absolute best and I just had to trust it would speak for itself.
“However proud I am of my past work or impressive I thought the client names would be, I know the work I’m making today is my absolute best and I just had to trust it would speak for itself.”
What was your reaction when you discovered that you won?
Well, I’m ashamed to admit I kind of had to stifle any reaction I would have had because I found out by checking my phone in the middle of an artist talk. I saw the notification on my watch out of the corner of my eye, and saw it was an email about YG and I just couldn’t help myself! I tried to go back to listening but I couldn’t tell you anything that was said after that moment I was so shocked.
How does your current home inspire your creativity as an artist?
Since I went freelance I try to go to a museum at least once a week, and I doubt I could do that if I did not live in New York. Coming from the suburb of all suburbs, where most of my exposure to fine art was in Pier 1 Imports, having access to so much art that I can go and see with my own eyes whenever I want is such a dream. But maybe even more than being around amazing art, is getting to be around the people who make it. Trying to make life work as an artist often doesn’t make much sense. However, I find that if you fill your life with people who are as delusional as you aspire to be, you start to lose context for what’s sensible in the first place, and become unburdened by pesky rationality.
Now that you’re a part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
I mentioned Jing Wei (YG15) before but her impact on me really can’t be understated. Her work is a beautiful blend of soft and bold, and sweet and scary. Not only is her work genius, but also her care and kindness as a boss and mentor is what really inspires me. As a boss and a teacher now I’m always striving to live up to her. I also have to mention Jordan Awan (YG9) a genius art director and illustrator who, as my very first illustration professor, literally taught me what illustration even meant. I’m so honored to be on any list that includes these two.
Name a dream project that you have yet to fulfill — maybe Young Guns will propel you in that direction!
Hmmm, well I love music and I’m a big K-pop fan in particular. So one of my big bucket list things is to get to do branding/imagery for an album or video. People don’t realize how much incredible design work has been produced in K-pop and I’d die to be able to make a contribution. Generally though, I would just really love to make more work that lives outside of personal devices. I have such an itch to work on big displays and signage and make stuff that interacts with the world a bit more. Actually, in my personal work I’m really trying to find how I might do something in a gallery. If you know a space that would have me and/or a good lenticular printer hit me up!
Will we see you at the YG22 party in NYC in November?
Yep, see ya there!
Come party with us and celebrate the class of Young Guns 22 on Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 PM, at Sony Hall in NYC!
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