2026 Hot New Things: Sami Lewis, Yoobee School of Design
Design Assembly profiles a selection of the top graduates from the best Art and Design Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. We welcome these talented emerging professionals to our industry, learn about their passions, final projects, developing creative confidence and ambitions for the future.
Today we speak with Sami Lewis who recently graduated from the Diploma in Digital Design at Yoobee School of Design. Find out more about tertiary study options across Aotearoa New Zealand on our Design Schools page.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Christchurch based Yoobee School of Design student, graduating soon with a Diploma in Digital Design. This diploma was my first step into tertiary education. After completing NCEA, I still wasn’t sure what my career goals were, until I decided to take a few short courses. From these, I found I enjoyed both the problem-solving and creativity skills that are required in design fields. I’m the type of person that thrives off of both academic challenges and expressing creativity equally. Being detail oriented is something that comes naturally to me. Therefore, I find design quite a fulfilling career path.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
My graduating project focused on optimising the website for a cat café that helps rescued cats get adopted and find their forever home. My primary goal was to reorganise the website’s pages and navigation into a more intuitive user experience. This involved conducting a card study where I had participants sort the website content by priority and what they expected to see together. I then analysed the user journey, simplifying the amount of steps to the end goal. The website was developed using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. My biggest challenge with this project was optimising usability without sacrificing the brand’s aesthetic goals.
What did you choose to study Diploma in Digital Design at Yoobee School of Design?
I chose to study Yoobee’s Digital Design course to expand my skills in areas of design I was interested in. I had prior experience in web and user experience design and wanted to continue to hone my design skills in that area, as well as expand my knowledge into graphic design. I was drawn to a project based course since in the past I’ve found I had better academic success when I was able to focus on one project at a time and really perfect it. Likewise, I enjoy the freedom that a career in design offers, and liked learning about the variety of ways past students were using their qualification when I visited the open day.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
Something I enjoyed most about this course was simply being amongst fellow creative people. I found sharing ideas and feedback with my peers greatly beneficial, and it was inspiring seeing the great variety of designs students came up with even though we shared the same brief. The diversity of creative backgrounds amongst my peers created an environment where we were able to support each other in areas we were most experienced in and receive support back in others. I also enjoyed engaging with my teacher throughout my many projects, always learning something new whenever I received feedback on my design work.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
My biggest challenge while studying was stepping out of my comfort zone. This is something I have also been challenging myself to do in my personal life by participating more in social groups and connecting with new people. I especially stepped out of my comfort zone for a packaging design project by engaging with printing professionals to ask for advice on my project. Their advice helped validate I was on the right track, and I learned a lot from asking questions. I also challenged myself to entirely illustrate my packaging design project. Which, although intimidating at first, allowed me to expand my art skills into vector illustration.
Who (or what) inspired you to pick design as a career path?
I have always been fascinated by the creative industries. Since I was a child, I was always drawn particularly towards the video game and anime industry. My first encounter with Yoobee School of Design was actually their showcases at Armageddon expo in Christchurch. I’ve always found creating fulfilling and therapeutic. I spent a lot of my time learning how to paint and draw and reading about art history. This interest slowly diverged into learning design and the history of design movements. Ultimately, I chose design over other creative fields due to its exciting career possibilities. In retrospect, pursuing design was inevitable for me.
Who is your favourite designer?
My favourite designer is Josef Müller-Brockmann, one of the founders of the International Typographic Style. 1950s Swiss School designers occupied an interesting moment of graphic design history. Swiss style developed post-WW2 when previous havens of graphic design, Germany and the USSR became restrictive due to censorship and totalitarianism. Swiss style incorporates many elements of early 20th century Avant-Garde movements. Müller-Brockmann’s use of mathematical grids, geometric typography and white space in creating perfectly balanced compositions is simply fascinating. In contrast to a great deal of design in the early 19th century, Swiss design uniquely aimed for complete objectivity. In the period we live in where online misinformation and misleading advertising is commonplace, I also find myself drawn to an objective style. I first learned of Müller-Brockmann reading the book ‘Reading Graphic Design History’ and have since purchased two of his books to study in my own time. I am inspired by Müller-Brockmann not just due to his mastery of design principles, but also his ability to question his place as a designer in influencing thought.
What is next for you?
Over the next few years, I aim to transition into the workforce. I would like to continue to expand my design skills and build my portfolio, whether this be in the short term from work experience or returning to higher education. I believe the most exciting creative industry in Aotearoa New Zealand currently is the video game industry. Recent innovations in game design and government funding into New Zealand based video game companies has created an exciting future that I look forward to following closely and would love to have the opportunity to participate in this field. Primarily, I would like to use my design skills wherever I can to continue to grow as a designer.
Where can we see more of your work?
My Instagram page is the best place to see my latest design projects @lewisdesignnz. I can also be contacted by email samilewisdesign@gmail.com
Phone – 02040958875
Sami Lewis Aitchison
