It’s true: YCC 2012 school registrations have already outnumbered the record-setting 155 received last year. With over 170 European applied arts schools signed up – and three weeks left before the registration deadline – YCC 2012 is looking to be the most exciting contest yet.

We’ve already gone into some of the potential rewards of taking part in YCC, but we thought you might like to hear it from a big YCC fan. Aymeric Hays-Narbonne is Assistant Director at the Ecole Emile Cohl in Lyon and head of the school’s computer graphics and animation department. His enthusiasm for YCC could have something to do with his school’s excellent track record, but we can’t blame him (YCC 2011 winners in Video pictured above).

YCC caught up with Mr. Hays-Narbonne to talk about the contest and creativity today.

How did you first learn about YCC?

The contest actually came to us. We’ve been involved from the start, and our students have done very well in the contest year after year. Let’s hope it lasts!

Why do you feel participation in YCC is valuable?

We get students involved in the second year of their studies, at a stage where they aren’t too sure what to focus on (illustration, comics, video game, cartoons/animation). YCC is a great opportunity to experience film-making for the first time.

The contest is also rewarding for students because, for the first time in their studies, they can do whatever they want creatively. This takes them out of their work in plaster, perspective and anatomy. In fact, they have a “foolproof” motivation!

In the world of applied arts and the arts in general, who do you find to be influential and inspiring?

We live in a world of images. Curiously, the "models" we look up to are the same for students e.g. Bilal and Loisel for comics, d’Autremer for illustration, and Pixar, DreamWorks and Tim Burton for movies. Yet, I also like to get away from the obvious and help students (re)discover the great names in art from the early 20th century – who still manage to be “modern” and current. To see students’ eyes light up before an ancient sculpture, or Delatour’s incredible play with light, is always a pleasure.

What do you feel are the challenges facing applied arts students today? 

It's a bit related to the previous question in that it’s difficult to find your place in a world flooded by images. Claude de Saint Vincent, Managing Director of publisher Media Participations, has said: "It has never been easier to publish a comic book and harder to find readers." It’s a real challenge for a young artist to stand out, develop his/her own style and be distinguished for his/her skills as an illustrator. 

>> My opinion is that there is only one way to go: work hard, follow culture and master the basics of classical and academic drawing in order to have a solid foundation for your own art.

YCC thanks Aymeric Hays-Narbonne vivement! We’re looking forward to this year’s entries from the students at Emile Cohl and everywhere else…