Alumni Spotlight: Samuel Aye-Gboyin – From DeCoDe, KNUST to Global Recognition
We are proud to shine a spotlight on Samuel Aye-Gboyin (BA Communication Design, Class of 2018) a talented artist and designer who is making big moves in the U.S. art scene.
Samuel, who studied Communication Design at KNUST with a focus on animation and motion graphics, recently won two major awards at the University of Florida, where he is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Art and Technology.
He received the Conceptual Depth Award at the university’s 2024 Generative AI Days Competition, and a Certificate of Outstanding Merit from the College of the Arts for his creative and academic work.
He also designed the winning artwork for the 2025 Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) T-shirt. His design, full of bold graphics and fresh energy, was chosen to represent this year’s theme: “Grad Gators: Here, There & Everywhere.”
While on campus, he served as President of the Art Society and later became a Teaching Assistant in Computer Graphics. These experiences helped him develop leadership skills and a deeper love for teaching.
“Communication Design gave me more than just design skills,” Samuel says. “It helped me learn how to think critically, adapt to new challenges, and believe in my creative ideas.”
After graduating from KNUST, Samuel moved to the U.S. to earn a master’s degree in graphic design at Eastern Illinois University. Now at the University of Florida, his work combines photography, video, animation, and interactive art to explore memory, identity, and migration—often drawing from his life in Ghana.
As a Digital Imaging instructor, Samuel teaches students how to use creative software, but more importantly, how to express their personal stories through art.
“I want my students to know they are in control of their stories, that their ideas matter and can make a difference,” he says.
Even with international recognition, Samuel hasn’t forgotten where he came from. He hopes to return to Ghana to create programs that give young creatives access to design and technology education, especially those with fewer resources.
Samuel’s journey is a proud reminder of the power of a KNUST education. His story is one of creativity, leadership, and the drive to make an impact—both at home and around the world.
Well done, Samuel. You continue to make DeCode proud.
