Young Guns 20: Jump Jirakaweekul

By Alixandra Rutnik and Brett McKenzie on Nov 02, 2022

Spotlighting the stupendous class of Young Guns 20


Nearly 100 renowned industry professionals made up the jury for Young Guns this year. And after revealing the 84 finalists, it is finally time to unveil the 31 winners who make up the class of Young Guns 20.

Every year, we add another class of young talent from all over the globe to the exclusive Young Guns community. The winners of Young Guns 20 are your next project directors, animators, designers, editors, illustrators, artists, photographers, storytellers, coders, and writers. So this is your cue to follow them on Instagram immediately– because they are our industry’s future legends after all.

In two weeks, the winners will fly into NYC from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, make new friends, have a few cocktails, and take home their official Young Guns Cube. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:30 PM– and we hope to see you there too!

Before the party begins, we took the time to get to know each of our winners so you can read up on the highly creative individuals who make up Young Guns 20.


JUMP JIRAKAWEEKUL
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Based:

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Hometown:

BANGKOK, THAILAND

SEE JUMP'S ENTRY

When did you first hear about Young Guns? What were your initial impressions of the Young Guns competition — the award and the community?

I heard about Young Guns back when I was a student at SVA. Designers and artists whose work I admire and respect have won the award and I was intrigued by it. And the fact that it wasn't just about graphic design, or illustration, or filmmaking, and it encapsulated a wide range of fields.

Congrats on the win! What motivated you to enter this year?

This is my first time entering Young Guns, but I had considered entering previous years - I am approaching 30 and it just felt like the right time. I have a good range in my projects that I am really proud of.

Young Guns is as much an exercise in self-curation as it is in sheer creative talent. After all, you are only allowed to submit six projects. How did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?

I wanted to choose a range of projects that showcase different visual worlds, but are still cohesive. I included brand identity projects that range in category and discipline, from tech brands like Twitch and Dropbox (showing how a brand identity system could work at such a scale), to more craft-oriented projects like packaging for Crane Paper Company and the illustrative identity for Riot Games' Arcane (highlighting how illustration can change the tonality of a brand in the case of Next Insurance.)

I also wanted to expand beyond brand identity in my design practice and highlight my film title work, and show how simple and well crafted typography can feel distinct, powerful, and evoke emotion, especially when tied to music and film.

"I also wanted to expand beyond brand identity in my design practice and highlight my film title work, and show how simple and well crafted typography can feel distinct, powerful, and evoke emotion, especially when tied to music and film."

What went through your mind when you discovered that you won, especially knowing how difficult it is to make it into Young Guns?

First I felt very honored and thankful to be recognized by such talented judges – and then I told my parents.

Try defining your personal brand in three words.

Vague. Specific. Cohesive.

Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your work and career? Who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?

My time at COLLINS heavily shaped me as a designer, so a big shout out to Brian Collins for showing me what's possible in the world of design and branding, as well as giving me support and encouragement. Same with all the people I had the pleasure of working with during my time at COLLINS, including Nick Ace, Megan Bowker, Leo Porto (YG17), Sanuk Kim, Ian Aronson, and Tom Wilder who continue to inspire me.

Aside from that, my professors from SVA also helped me push my work and see different routes and opportunities in the industry - Scott Buschkuhl, Joe Marianek, and Dinah Fried to name a few.

Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?

I admire the works of so many previous winners, but have to highlight collaborators and friends: Alfred Marroquín (YG19) is an incredible filmmaker with such a distinct vision. And of course Leo Porto whose studio PORTO ROCHA is doing amazing work, as well as Ben Crick (YG15) and Zuzanna Rogatty (YG18) who I've had a chance to work with in the past.

Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction!

I think it could be time for a full fledged album artwork.

This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032?

Still imagining and making images – both professionally and personally.


JUMPJIRAK.COM

IG: @JUMPJIRAK


Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!

Get tickets! It's party time!

The class of Young Guns 20

 

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