About

Young Guns recognizes the vanguard of creative professionals 30 years of age and under. Founded in 1996, the portfolio-based competition has grown to become one of the most coveted awards for young creatives aroundthe globe. For many, being named a Young Gunswinner is a sure sign of a skyrocketing career, aswell as a source of validation for all of the stressful days and sleepless nights that have come with early successes.

Since its inception, Young Guns has evolved almost as much as the creative landscape in which it thrives. Its early years saw young creatives nominated by eclectic and respected juries of industry luminaries, before being debated until only the very best remained. As itsprestige grew, Young Guns became a competition where aspiring creatives submitted their portfolios to be judged by a panel of past winners. Beginning with YG8, past Young Guns winners were also tasked with conceiving and designing a brand new Cube trophy each year, making each class of Young Guns honorees truly unique. Were you from the year of the wooden Cubes, where you had to saw your trophy from the rest? Were you the class that received Cubesmade of concrete? Or maybe you were among the recipients of Cubes comprised of keepsakes from the careers and desks of all past classes? No matter which year you are honored as a Young Guns winner, you are truly in a class all your own.

Young Guns is more than just a collection of winning classes; it now comprises a community network of rebels and prodigies, unsung heroes and rising stars. Over the years, our roster has grown to include some exceptional talent, among them Stefan Sagmeister (YG1), Rei Inamoto (YG4), James Victore (YG1), Jessica Walsh (YG8), Alli Truch (YG2), Julia Hoffman (YG4), Deanne Cheuk (YG4), Jon Contino (YG9), Scott Stowell (YG3), Lindsay Ballant (YG7), and Alex Trochut (YG6). Now under the umbrella of The One Club for Creativity, Young Guns aims to continue the tradition of elevating exceptionally talented young creatives, shining a spotlight on their past and future accomplishments.

THE LEVINE/LEAVITT ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AWARDS

Founded in 2014 in partnership with the international artists management agency for whom the accolade is named, the Levine/Leavitt Artist-In-Residence Award is presented to newly crowned Young Guns whose bodies of work stands out from even their fellow winners. Selected by a special advisory board of industry professionals across many disciplines, recipients of the Artist-In-Residence Award not only receive all of the glory of being a Young Guns winner,they also earn the invaluable gift of a full year of professional management, guidance and mentorship to help take their young careers to new heights. From contract negotiations to client fees to portfolio management, the Levine/Leavitt team helps navigate winners through the business side of creativity.

Past recipients of the Artist-In-Residence award include Gemma O’Brien (YG13), Pablo Delcan (YG14) and Armando Veve (YG15).

The Diageo Young Guns Diversity & Inclusion Award

2018 marks the inaugural year of the Diageo Young Guns Diversity and Inclusion Award, presented in association with the renowned global alcoholic beverage company. This honor celebrates the growing diversity within the Young Guns community by awarding one especially gifted Young Guns 16 winner a commission to work on a creative project for one of Diageo's iconic brands.