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.
Ellie & Elisa
Creative Team, Uncommon London
Based:
London, England
Hometown:
Salzburg, Austria (Elisa) & London (Ellie)
What were your original impressions of the Young Guns competition, award, and community?
We follow a few winners on Instagram and have been following their stories as they go. Somehow this year felt like it might be our time to give it a try too. It is obvious when you win YG you don’t just become a person with a trophy but part of a community.
How did you end up in the creative field anyways?
Elisa actually always dreamed of advertising. She found the job description “art director” online at 17 and printed it out to show her family. Ellie saw it as a lucky escape from writing 10,000 word sales letters pedalling crypto. And so they found each other at the School of Communication Arts 2.0.
Congrats on the YG win! Why did you decide to enter this year?
We love that it isn’t an advertising specific award (there’s no shortage of those), but it is about creativity. The chance to be named as the next generation of creative talent - alongside incredible artists, directors, photographers, and illustrators - is super inspiring so we thought we’d give it a shot.
“The chance to be named as the next generation of creative talent - alongside incredible artists, directors, photographers, and illustrators - is super inspiring so we thought we’d give it a 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?
Well considering we have everything from a children’s mental health campaign to a naked calendar protesting censorship to a heavy metal holiday sweater, we’d say “range?” Honestly, it just came down to what we are most proud of.
What was your reaction when you discovered you won?
We were both watching medical dramas in our respective homes. Grey’s Anatomy for Ellie. House for Elisa. House was getting sued for killing a patient. Elisa got an email. Meredith Grey was on life support. Ellie got a phone call. Multiple hearts skipped beats. Only some pulled through.
How does your current home inspire your creativity as an artist?
Ellie lives in a 27 person warehouse. Creativity is everywhere. In the tap that screams when you flush the toilet, in the candlelit skull from last week’s rave, but most of all in the people. They get to go downstairs every morning to some of the most brilliant, kind and creative souls in the city. And that’s worth more than any window (they don’t have those).
Elisa comes from Austria, and had to trade the mountains for a 9th floor flat. Just like the mountains it’s beautifully quiet. And when she’s tired of that she likes to punch bags or people (consensual) in her favourite kickboxing gym. Having friends who are not in advertising is crucial, and puts everything into perspective. But London isn’t short of inspiration either, for example last week she saw a banana skin in an electricity box, arranged perfectly in line with some vomit on the floor. Had to be captured. Maybe she’ll frame it.
Now that you’re a part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
Our first ever film shoot was with Marleen Valien (YG21) in Mexico City. We made eight films in five days with one toilet that didn’t lock. There was a chart of who did and didn’t have the runs. We wrapped at midnight on average. Despite it all, Marlene was incredible. Also - she made a vulva spaceship, which is iconic. To receive the same award as her is a real joy.
Adore Stefan Sagmeister (YG1). He was the first ever designer Elisa looked up to and still does. His radical early work is so influential, some of his latest art projects are incredibly inspiring too.
If you could create a new Young Guns tradition, what would you want it to be and why?
We did a shoot in Mauritius once. It’s now Ellie’s entire personality. In fact the word “Mauritius” is banned in both our homes. So we’re putting it here. Take us. Annually. We beg.
Name a dream project you have yet to fulfill — maybe Young Guns will propel you in that direction!
Ellie would love to write a TV series. Elisa dreams of designing boxing gloves that fit women’s hands. Together they’ve got a sculpture in storage, plans to make kids stop vaping, and are dying to direct their own ad.
Will we see you at the YG22 party in NYC in November?
YES for sure, first ever NYC trip. If you’re there too, let us know!
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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