Young Guns (YG) is the industry's only global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies and celebrates today's vanguard of young creatives, says One Club.

The programme is open to creatives ages 30 and under who have been working for at least two years, full-time or freelance. Eligible entrants can submit a combination of professional and personal work, according to the organisation. 

The jury members in the Middle East and Africa region are as follows:

  • Loukman Ali, film director at Loukout Films Kampala
  • Nicolas Garcia, creative director at Science & Sunshine Dubai
  • Lufuno Mavhungu, creative director and partner at Promise Agency Johannesburg
  • Brian Njagi, creative director at Ogilvy Africa Nairobi, and
  • Jayde-Olivia Sandy, senior product designer at Delivery Hero Dubai. 

Individuals are encouraged by One Club to view the complete list of Young Guns 22 judges here.

According to the organisation, the online entry system is open, with the reduced-fee early deadline on Thursday, 27 June. The regular deadline is on Thursday, 11 July and the final deadline is set for Thursday, 25 July. Winners will be announced in the fall.

The submission deadline for COLORFUL, a separate YG grant programme to help young BIPOC creatives around the world advance their careers, is on Thursday, 27 June. There is no fee to apply and the grant is open globally to BIPOC creatives who qualify for YG22, says One Club. 

Programme branding and design of the Young Guns Cube award itself are reimagined each year by a past YG winner, says the organisation. The 2024 YG22 branding was created by renowned New York-based designer, illustrator, muralist and author Timothy Goodman (YG7).

According to One Club, all YG winners receive a unique version of the iconic Young Guns Cube, designed exclusively for this year's incoming class and have their permanent profile page added to the YG website.

Winners also receive a complimentary one-year One Club for Creativity membership, permanent membership in the YG network, a chance to be featured in YG events and an assortment of career-boosting opportunities from YG sponsors, says One Club.

One Club says that past YG winners include rising stars who went on to become leaders in their chosen fields, including:

  • Oscar-winning film director duo DANIELS (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) (YG14)  
  • Top Gun Maverick director Joseph Kosinski (YG4)
  • graphic designers James Victore (YG1), Stefan Sagmeister (YG1), Natasha Jen (YG4) and Jessica Walsh (YG8)
  • artist / designer Rich Tu (YG8)
  • ad creatives Rei Inamoto (YG4) and Menno Kluin (YG6)
  • illustrators Christoph Niemann (YG2) and Deanne Cheuk (YG4)
  • fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond (YG14)
  • artist / filmmaker Calmatic (YG16)
  • director/photographer India Sleem (YG17)
  • photographer Ryan McGuinness (YG2)
  • typographers Alex Trochut (YG6) and Gemma O’Brien (YG13), and
  • animation artist Todd St. John (YG1). 

Levine / Leavitt Artist In Residence Award

For the 10th consecutive year, international artists management agency and Young Guns sponsor, Levine/Leavitt will bestow one talented winner with the Artist In Residence Award, says One Club.

The organisation concludes, the honor is presented annually to a newly crowned Young Gun whose body of work truly stands out, as judged by an advisory board of industry professionals across a range of disciplines. The winner receives a full year of professional development, guidance and mentorship from Levine/Leavitt to help advance their career.  

For more information, visit www.youngguns.org. Follow the One Club for Creativity on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or on TikTok. 

*Image courtesy of contributor