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.
Jiaan Dai
Creative Director & Graphic Designer, THE END DESIGN
Based:
Guangzhou City, China
Hometown:
Shanwei City, China
What were your original impressions of the Young Guns competition, award, and community?
I first heard about Young Guns in 2017, which was the year I started studying graphic design and switched from a science and engineering major to a master’s degree in art and design. I researched and found out that my idol designers Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh are YG1 and YG8 winners respectively! Since then, I have believed Young Guns is the greatest honor for creative talents before the age of 30, and I have made up my mind to work hard to win this honor before I turn 30!
How did you end up in the creative field?
In my first year of undergraduate studies, I designed posters for my student clubs, and accidentally learned about graphic design through this opportunity. I found I was more interested and motivated to design posters and logos than study science and engineering.
Later on, I successfully passed the entrance exam for the Master of Art Design at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and began my formal training in graphic design.
In 2018, during the second year of my master’s degree, I established my own design studio THE END DESIGN, which was the official start of my creative career. I designed the studio’s visual identity first, which was one of the six pieces in my entry for Young Guns this year. I am an Art Director and Creative Director at my design studio, where I lead a team of about 12 people. We provide creative services such as brand and exhibition visual design to many new consumer brands, and cultural and art institutions.
Congrats on the YG win! Why did you decide to enter this year?
I will be 30 next year! I participated in Young Guns to test my work in front of the top people in the creative field. I was hoping to give myself a perfect “comma” for my 30th birthday next year - meaning my creative career will not end, and I will continue to create more and better work!
This is not my first time entering. Unfortunately, I did not make the finals the last time I entered, so I was very surprised to be the winner this time! Compared to my previous entries, I only kept one piece I’ve submitted before which is the visual identity for my studio. The other five pieces are new from the last two years. Overall, they have more personal design style and prominent creative concepts.
Since the last time I entered, I believe more in the importance of “Creativity.” “Creativity Creates Communication” is a viewpoint I often share in lectures. It roughly means good design enables clear communication. The design expression in my work is always restrained, to be just right, rather than blindly pursuing complicated or redundant visual elements or picture effects.
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?
I have always believed better work is in the future, and the best work is now.
My entries represent my current creative state and method proposition. Although the six pieces I submitted have both consumer and commercial communication, and cultural and artistic expression, they all have relatively special and outstanding creative concepts and restrained visual expressions - Creativity Creates Communication.
What was your reaction when you discovered that you won?
Due to the time zone difference, I received the winning email at 5 AM local time. I was on a business trip and did not check my email right away. When I saw the email, I was on the high-speed train and was immediately awakened from my drowsy state! I almost scared the passenger in the next seat! I also shared the winning news and this great surprise with my girlfriend and family immediately!
How does your current home inspire your creativity as an artist?
I have lived in Guangzhou for 11 years - since college. Guangzhou is a first-tier city in China with rich economic vitality and life atmosphere. The city has an active consumer market, which provides a sufficient economic foundation for the creative and design industries. Everyday I capture creative concept prototypes and apply them to my design work. Whether it is a brand or an art exhibition, the audience of these design projects is the general public, and the general public has a life, or has certain common life experiences. So to some extent, the creativity of my work comes from life, and I believe “good creativity is always “creativity from life.”
Now that you’re a part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
I admire Stefan Sagmeister (YG1) and Jessica Walsh (YG8) for their bold work. They are not only excellent designers, but also outstanding artists!
Name a dream project that you have yet to fulfill — maybe Young Guns will propel you in that direction!
I have a lot of dreams. I have always dreamed of designing music albums and tour posters for the band “No Party For Cao Dong,” and designing co-branded products - packaging or posters - for Louis Vuitton! I also dream of having the opportunity to collaborate on creative projects with Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh!
“I have always dreamed of designing music albums and tour posters for the band “No Party For Cao Dong,” and designing co-branded products - packaging or posters - for Louis Vuitton!”
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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