Eighty-three creatives from nineteen countries have made it into the finals of Young Guns 18 for creative professionals age 30 or younger. Nine come from APAC, but none from Australia or New Zealand.

The APAC finalists are:

• Natsuki Isa, SHA Inc., Tokyo (graphic design)
• Mak Kaihang, independent, Hong Kong (graphic design)
• Ieong Kun Lam, independent, Macau (illustration)
• Xiaomei Liu, Transwhite Studio, Hangzhou (graphic design)
• Raxenne Maniquiz, independent, Santa Maria (illustration)
• Tomoki Misato, independant, Tokyo (animation)
• Alice Mourou, Oddity Studio, Hong Kong (graphic design)
• Somei Sun, Somei Design, Shanghai (animation)
• Chan Wai Hon, independent, Hong Kong (graphic design)

View the complete list of 83 Young Guns 18 finalists from 19 countries can be viewed here.

Young Guns is the industry’s only international, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies today’s best young creatives. Submissions were received from more than 40 countries and judged by the jury of 82 top creatives from 32 countries – about half of whom are past YG winners.

This year’s winners will be announced at a special online event on Wednesday, November 18. Details to be announced shortly.

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

Young Guns 18 branding and design of the Cube award is recreated each year by a past Young Gun winner. This year’s YG18 branding and award are designed by CONTINO, New York, founded by creative director and YG9 winner, Jon Contino.

For the seventh consecutive year, international artists management agency and Young Guns sponsor Levine/Leavitt will award one talented winner the Levine/Leavitt Artist In Residence Award. This 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.

Young Guns 18 and other One Club activities are made possible in part through the support of sponsors including CONTINO, Levine/Leavitt and Shutterstock.