ADC Young Guns is a global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that aims to identify and celebrates today's vanguard of young creative professionals. The programme is open to those aged 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, says the NPO.

According to the One Club, Jury members in the region are as follows:

  • Elie Antaky: Associate Creative Director of Impact BBDO, Beirut
  • Mohamed Bareche: ECD of Havas Dubai
  • Oyindamola Fakile: Chief Creative Alchemist of Thwind, Lagos
  • Priyaa Naidoo: Creative Director of AndUs, Dubai
  • Nhlanhla Ngcobo: Group ECD of VML Johannesburg, Randburg

The online entry system is now open, with the reduced-fee regular deadline of Thursday, 27 August, and final deadline Friday, 24 September. Winners will be announced in January 2027, with the YG24 awards ceremony and party slated for Wednesday, 27 January 2027 in New York, adds the NPO.

The competitions regularly attract entries from upwards of 45 countries, with more than half coming from outside the United States, says the NPO.

All ADC Young Guns winners receive a version of the ADC Young Guns Cube, designed exclusively for this year's incoming class, and have their permanent profile page added to the YG website, adds the NPO.

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 the NPO.

According to the NPO, past ADC Young Guns include rising stars who went on to become leaders in their chosen fields including: 

  • Oscar-Winning Film Directors: 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 Sesigner: Kerby Jean-Raymond (YG14)
  • Artist / Filmmaker: Calmatic (YG16)
  • Director / Photographer: India Sleem (YG17)
  • Typographers: Alex Trochut (YG6) and Gemma O'Brien (YG13)
  • Animation Artist: Todd St. John (YG1)

ADC Young Guns 24 branding and YG Cube trophy were created by Brooklyn-based independent illustrator and designer Chantal Jahchan, a winner in last year's YG23 competition, concludes the NPO.

For more information, visit www.youngguns.org. You can also follow ADC Young Guns 24 on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of contributor