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.
Jure Brglez
Illustrator & Animator
Based:
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Hometown:
Maribor, Slovenia
What were your original impressions of the Young Guns competition, award, and community?
I first heard about Young Guns two years ago from The One Club for Creativity itself! The Young Guns team discovered my work in illustration and graphic design and thought it would be a great fit for the YG20 competition. I made it to the finals and was blown away by the incredible talent that made the cut that year.
How did you end up in the creative field anyways?
Making various things has always been a genuine interest of mine, and friends, family, and mentors often saw something in my work that was worth encouraging me to pursue further. Yeah, the encouragement played a key role in shaping the path I eventually followed.
Congrats on the YG win! Why did you decide to enter this year?
I had juuuuust enough youth in me to partake - it practically was my last year to enter. But more than that, it felt like a good opportunity to have my work evaluated. My current submissions are a bit different from what I’ve presented before, though not drastically (one project is even a repeat from last time). I can’t quite pinpoint what’s changed to be completely honest.
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’m not the best at keeping track of all my work, so I crowdsourced it! I asked people around me what pieces pop into their heads when they think of my stuff. After that, it was a process of elimination and choosing work that showcased not just technical ability but also the diversity of my style.
What was your reaction when you discovered that you won?
It was one of those (very) late-night moments when I was typing out an email to a client, and suddenly, a subject line in all caps — IMPORTANT! — popped up. After reading it, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of joy, so I celebrated with a nice, long sleep instead of more work.
How does your current home inspire your creativity as an artist?
I believe every interaction leaves its mark or impression, shaping the way we think, create, and see the world.
Now that you’re a part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?
Oh, absolutely — there are so many! The Daniels (YG14) made one of my all-time favorite movies. Braulio Amado (YG13) is a total design rockstar — he’s off the charts *cue music pun*. Angela Kirkwood (YG20) creates a technicolor animation world like no other (please watch her brilliant Nicer Tuesdays talk!). I’ve also been admiring Laila Gohar (YG14) and her edible masterpieces for a while now. Yann Kebbi (YG15) with his incredible textures is just stunning. And, of course, a shout-out to my fellow compatriot Nejc Prah (YG14), another design rockstar making things feel utterly joyful.
Name a dream project that you have yet to fulfill — maybe Young Guns will propel you in that direction!
I would love to do something interior related, like a sexy mural for a bathhouse, a wallpaper for a hotel somewhere in the Alps, or adorn tiles for a busy kitchen. I’d also love to see my illustrations come to life in a movie — whether as prop design or an animated intro. It would be amazing to contribute something to science as well.
“I would love to do something interior related, like a sexy mural for a bathhouse, a wallpaper for a hotel somewhere in the Alps, or adorn tiles for a busy kitchen.”
Will we see you at the YG22 party in NYC in November?
Fingers crossed!
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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