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.
Gabriel Sehringer
Associate Creative Director, Rethink NY
Based:
New York, NY
Hometown:
Mannheim, Germany
What were your original impressions of the Young Guns competition, award, and community?
Over the years, I’ve noticed Young Guns as a common thread among some of the most original and interesting people in the creative industries. I appreciate how YG celebrates photography, film, design, poetry, fashion, advertising, and so many other forms of creativity under one roof.
How did you end up in the creative field anyways?
I’ve always enjoyed making stuff. When I was younger, my friends and I would make home videos and perform improv comedy sketches inspired by “Whose Line is it Anyway?” for each other. I was initially drawn to advertising because it allowed me to channel some of that restless creative energy in a focused way. The longer I’ve worked in this industry, the more I’ve been able to use it to find and define a distinctive creative voice—both in my day job and outside of it. I feel fortunate to be able to spend my days solving problems with creativity, making things that resonate in culture, and consistently getting to partner with some of the best artists, directors, and photographers in the world to bring ideas to life in distinctive, highly crafted ways.
Congrats on the YG win! Why did you decide to enter this year?
I entered Young Guns once a few years ago, but it’s only recently that I finally feel like my portfolio of work represents the range of how I think, who I am, and what I can do.
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?
As I looked through my work, I thought about which pieces felt the most “me.” My work tends to take a different shape on every project, so I chose the projects that best represented my brain and personality, and also happened to show off a range of styles, tones, and types of ideas. The six projects in my submission include an art gallery, a fashion photoshoot, a product innovation, a docu-style short, an interactive social campaign, headlines, and more — as independent projects and as campaigns for global brands, local brands, and non-profits.
What was your reaction when you discovered that you won?
I feel a sense of awe and appreciation. It’s humbling knowing not only how many creatives submit their work, but also how many judges take part in the selection process — all from different creative backgrounds and all evaluating work through a different and unique creative lens.
How does your current home inspire your creativity as an artist?
New York City has inspired a lot of my work over the past few years. The best part about living here is the constant exposure to people worth learning more about or documenting. There is truly no better place to people-watch and no shortage of stories to uncover. The city introduced me to museum security guards who make their own art at night. It inspired me to capture the unique, indescribable feelings of hundreds of the city’s street corners — like the feeling of putting your life on the line every time you walk over one of those sidewalk cellar doors. My most recent project was inspired by the famous celebrity photo walls you see in pizza places all over the city.
“My most recent project was inspired by the famous celebrity photo walls you see in pizza places all over the city.”
Now that you’re a part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
Oh man, so many. I’m inspired by people whose creativity evolves to take different forms, and by anyone whose work is rooted in a strong point of view. I love the distinctiveness of everything Nadia Lee Cohen (YG16) shoots and directs. The subversiveness of DANIELS (YG14). The humanity of Sean Wang (YG19). The effortless sense of cool in anything shot by Jonas Lindstroem (YG16) or edited by Mah Ferraz (YG17). The vision and originality of Kerby Jean-Raymond (YG14) and what he built with Pyer Moss. Braulio Amado (YG13) for his experimentation and LeBassis (YG18) for his sense of play. Brian Moore (YG12) for his prolific irreverence. Also, Julia Neumann (YG6), Romain Laurent (YG10), and Johnny Kelly (YG7).
If you could create a new Young Guns tradition, what would you want it to be and why?
Let’s do a Secret Santa.
Name a dream project that you have yet to fulfill — maybe Young Guns will propel you in that direction!
I get excited about anything rooted in a strong and simple idea. I have an experimental cookbook idea that just needs the right chef to bring it to life. I want to make something with whale sounds. I’ve long wanted to get into concepting and writing music videos.
Will we see you at the YG22 party in NYC in November?
Smell ya then.
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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