Samuel Forbes (b. 1992, Te Whakaraupō) lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He works through pattern recognition – revealing how elements exist and relate across layers of time, material and context. Rather than accepting institutional constraints, he explores inherent qualities while questioning constructed systems of meaning

Samuel's practice spans visual communication, typography, floral design, sound production, radio broadcasting and club promotion – where medium serves as a site for exploring authentic expression within complex systems. The focus lies in understanding how cultural resonances and social structures influence each other through position, time and form, continuously questioning while creating anew. This work navigates paradox while remaining true to the depth of its contextual nature

Samuel holds a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours) from Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts. From 2018–2019, he assisted creative director Kelvin Soh at DDMMYY. He has also tutored graphic design and typography at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts (Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University), Te Kura Hoahoa (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University) and Te Kāhui Auaha (Whitireia and WelTec)

In addition to his design education, Samuel has a Post-graduate diploma in Fine Arts from Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts. He was also an apprentice to Manuela Lipsham of Flowers Manuela

Previous collaborators include Cory Champion (Borrowed CS, Clear Path Ensemble), Thomas Richards (Mongo Skato, Buzzy Point), Iann An, Kate Te Ao, Nathan Taare (OF BODY) and Oliver Guyon

Previous clients include Alliance Group Ltd, CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image, Christopher Tubbs, Elliot Creative, Flowers Manuela, Fruit Cru, Icebreaker, Jhana Millers Gallery, Kate Te Ao, KAUKAU, Loro Piana, MAYHEMSOUND, Me Heke Ki Pōneke Wellington City Council, Mossman Gallery, The New Zealand Merino Company Ltd, The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Nikke, Japan Wool Textile Co. Ltd, OF BODY, Radioactive.FM, Radio Cult, Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery, The Service Depot, Shannon Te Ao, Smartwool, Stanford University, Strange Behaviour, Südwolle GmbH, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, VF Corporation, and Wētā FX