How did Young Guns get on your radar?

I learned about ADC Young Guns early in my career. Many of the designers I looked up to, like Jessica Walsh and Eric Hu, were past winners, so I saw Young Guns as the gold standard for creatives.

Over the past few years, I’ve followed each class of winners and discovered incredible work across film, illustration, photography, and more from creatives around the world. I’ve always admired the community that Young Guns brings together.

How did you end up in the creative field?

As a kid, I was always drawing, creating stop-motions, filming, etc. I knew I wanted to do something creative, but I ended up studying business in college.

I started my career as an account executive in advertising, and I knew immediately that it wasn’t for me. So I decided to fully pursue design. Rather than going back to school full-time, I took night classes at SVA and Adhouse, taught myself Photoshop and After Effects on YouTube, and built a portfolio.

While at Ogilvy, I was given the opportunity to join the social lab as a designer, and I haven’t looked back since. I truly feel like I’m living my dream, and I owe so much to the coworkers and mentors who supported me along the way.

“I took night classes, taught myself Photoshop and After Effects on YouTube, and built a portfolio.”

Why did you decide to enter this year?

This was my last year of eligibility, so I decided to go for it. I hadn’t entered in previous years because I didn’t feel like I had enough quality work, but a few projects came together this past year and I felt good to submit.

You only get to submit six projects. How did you decide what made the cut?

I sat down with my mentors, João Paz and Fabio Brigido, the Heads of Design at MullenLowe Design Studio, who helped me identify which projects were the strongest.

Each project I entered was created alongside the MullenLowe design team, so they deserve this recognition just as much as I do. I aimed to include work that showed a range of motion styles while still demonstrating design craft throughout.

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

I was home in L.A. when I got the email. I gave my mom a hug, called my fiancée, and celebrated by going surfing.

In what ways does where you’re living right now inspire your creativity?

It’s cliché but New York is an endless source of inspiration. I like going to Chinatown and seeing the typography of storefronts, products, even truck decals.

Mainly, I’ve been inspired by friends I’ve met throughout my career here, who come from different countries and backgrounds. They’ve helped me expand my thinking and my creative output.

My fiancée works at an art gallery so she has also been a huge influence. We constantly go to exhibitions and museums together, which has helped shape the way I approach design.

“I like going to Chinatown and seeing the typography of storefronts, products, even truck decals.”

Now that you’re part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you admire?

Jessica Walsh (YG8), Eric Hu (YG8), Talia Cotton (YG20), Mitch Paone (YG8), Leo Porto (YG17), Braulio Amado (YG13), Khyati Trehan (YG19), Alexander Slobzheninov (YG18), Tal Midyan (YG16), Carlos Bocai (YG22), and Daniel Wenzel (YG22) have all greatly inspired me through their work. I’ve admired their explorations across typography, illustration, motion, technology, and brand identity systems.

Name a dream project you’d love to do next. Who would you want to collaborate with?

I’d love to create motion for a type foundry, and collaborate with designers like Daniel Wenzel (YG22) and Talia Cotton (YG20), who are incredible in type and generative processes.

I’ve also always wanted to work in film or music and create title sequences… Safdie Brothers hit me up. I’m even down to hold a camera.