Contact details +6449793224
Stuart Foster BDes, MDes
Senior Lecturer in Spatial Design
School of DesignThe founding principles of Stuart’s research are drawn from architecture, phenomenology of perception and haptic technologies. Immersive interactive art and design presented in public and or site-specific environments, that communicate cultural and social connectedness through innovative use of technology, interdisciplinary aesthetics and methodologies. Stuart’s creation of artefacts, installations and curatorial practices, are to activate participatory space, alongside, textual and oral presentations. Stuart’s research aims are to produce innovative forms and experiences that pose new alternatives toward 21st century world ideas and insights that will influence ensuing values.
‘Material Remains,’ an interactive national student exhibition at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and invitation as Co-curator for The Prague Quadrennial 2015 ‘PQ15’ (with Amanda Yates: AUT) for the NZ national exhibition ‘Ahua o te Rā-ngī’ demonstrate Fosters expertise in curatorial practice in cross-cultural spatial immersive design.
Foster achieves a wide range of high-level digital based experimental and exploratory projects through collaboration with experts in their specialist fields.
Foster has also exhibited works such as ‘Micro-inhabitation’ with N. McLeod at Form Gallery Perth, 2013; exploring microscopic form and surface processed through gaming software.
‘Tipi-Rā-ngī’, for Scanz2013: 3rd nature, The ‘He māmā whenua’ and ‘Hīnātore’ projects for TEZA2013, plus “Ko Tatou te tangata’ for MAP2014 exemplify Foster’s innovative use of sound-carrying laser and LED lights within kaupapa-driven visual aural experiences within land-based environments. These were created with K.Puke and Te Matahiapo Research Organisation (http://www.tematahiapo.org.nz)
‘Tūrama pou’ for WgtnLUX:2013 highlight Foster’s data-responsive illuminated site-specific sculpture, while, ‘Robra/Arbor” for Art in the Dark, Akld, emphasize possibilities with light projection and software. ‘Jeuplay’ for Performance Arcade, Akld Fringe and Awesome Festival in Australia exemplify highly effective interactive and reactive public installations. These projects are one of many as a member of Interrupt Collective http://interrupt-collective.blogspot.co.nz
‘Space an interactive artwork for The Edge Interactive Art Wall, Aotea Centre, Auckland and ‘Chirp’ for the ilight festival, Marina Bay Singapore in 2012 exemplify Foster’s innovative use of technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), camera vision and embedded sensors to provide audience interactivity within the context of exhibition and art installation environments.
In 2011, Foster received accolades at the Design Institute of New Zealand’s Best Awards, a gold pin for the set design of ‘Everything is Okay’ and a silver award for interactive installation ‘GeoPing’ .
Foster also works with digital fabrication technologies and in 2013 received a Diploma of Digital Fabrication (Fab Academy: FabLab Network). Commissions such as ‘Flitch’, with W.Neale for the Research Institute of New Zealand http://www.fablabwgtn.co.nz/project-showcase demonstrate expertise in design, craftsmanship and contemporary construction technologies. Foster was acknowledged through his selection to exhibit ‘Splice’ in the internationally-profiled and curated exhibition 'Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Powers of Convention' sponsored by the Goethe Institute.
As a design-led researcher, Stuart Foster specialises in the fields of digital interactive experiences and digital fabrication technologies. His research focuses on emerging technologies through the application of virtual modelling, visualizing and sensing technologies to create immersive experiences that test the limits of and interface between physical space and digital space.Stuart produces artworks, site-specific installations, curatorial and written works often working within creative collaborations with both Massey University and external partners.
Professional
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) - Massey University (2005)
- Master of Design - Massey University (2007)
Prizes and Awards
- Best Awards for 3 categories 1) Toitutanga- Gold Textiles, Gold and Light Design -Silver . Signitificant contribution to application process with Ngatai Taepa and Stuart Foster (on behalf of the wider Te Kahui Toi group) with Ari Stevens of Athfeild Architecture. - Designers Institute of New Zealand DINZ (2022)
- Resenes Nightingale Award - Kura Puke, Stuart Foster and Ngatai Taepa contributed to the application of this award alongside Ari Stevens from Athfeild Architects. This article was based on the colour applied in the wharenui (Kura Puke, Saffronn Te Ratana and Ngatai Taepa) with painted artworks using Resene Paints in wharenui. Resene Paints is a major sponsor to the national architecture and design awards. - Resenes (2022)
- NZ Timber Design Awards- Speciality Timber - Kura Puke, Stuart Foster and Ngatai Taepa (on behalf of Te Kahui Toi) contributed to the application of this award alongside Ari Stevens from Athfeild Architects. This article was based on the innovative and excellent application of Totara to ‘Te Whaioranga te Whaio’ wharenui, Te Rau Karamu marae. - NZ Timber Design Awards hosted by Timber Unlimited (2023)
- The New Zealand Best Design Awards Bronze Award in recognition of the work "NZPQ15 Ahua o te Rangi", a temporary exhibition structure created for the Prague Quadriennial 2015 (PQ15). This work was supported by Creative and Design directors Stuart Foster and Amanda Yates. Foster was also a team member. The Best Design Awards are run by the Designers Institute of New Zealand. They are an annual showcase of excellence in graphic, spatial, product, interactive and motion design. - The Best Design Awards 2016 (2016)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Spatial Design
Interaction Design
Interface Design
Digital Fabrication
Thematics
Design – for Commerce, Community and Culture
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Architectural Design (120101):
Architecture (120100):
Architecture not elsewhere classified (120199):
Building (120200):
Built Environment And Design (120000):
Communications Technologies (100500):
Interior Design (120106):
Other Technology (109900):
Performing Arts and Creative Writing (190400):
Performing Arts and Creative Writing not elsewhere classified (190499):
Studies In Creative Arts And Writing (190000):
Technology (100000)
Keywords
Spatial Design
Interaction Design
Interface Design
Digital Fabrication
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Foster, S.Contributed to by: Puke, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.Contributed to by: Foster, S.
Book
[Authored Book]Authored by: Galbraith, H.Contributed to by: Brown, A., Foster, S., TeAo, S.Edited by: Galbraith, H.
Creative Work
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.Contributed to by: Puke, K.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.Contributed to by: Foster, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.Contributed to by: Foster, S.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Foster, S., Mehzoud, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S., Taepa, N.Contributed to by: Taepa, N.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Performance]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Film or Video]Authored by: Foster, S., Preston, J.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Design]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Artwork]Authored by: Foster, S.
Thesis
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: Foster, S.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Adank, R., Foster, S., Mehzoud, S.
[Conference Other]Authored by: Adank, R., Foster, S.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Adank, R., Foster, S.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Foster, S., Preston, J.
Other
[Other]Authored by: Foster, S., Jahnke, R., Macgregor, H., Taepa, N.
[Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Foster, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Foster, S., Puke, K.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Foster, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Foster, S.
Teaching and Supervision
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Co-supervisor | 0 | 1 |
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Co-supervisor of:
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2019
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Claire Hughes
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Doctor of Philosophy
Entanglement: An investigation into the effective union of contemporary art and science communication
Media and Links
Media
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10 Dec 2016 - Online
Spaces of the future (feat. Honours student work)
Article by ArchitectureNow Editorial Desk about the work of three Spatial Design Honours students who designed apps. -
07 Nov 2016 - Online
Stuff.co.nz article featuring Honours student
'Wellington tertiary students shining a light on the future of design' by Ruby MacAndrew. Features 2016 Spatial Design Honours student Stephanie O'Shea. -
01 Nov 2016 - Magazine, Online
Capital Exposure - student work cited in Urbis
CoCA graduate exhibition reviewed in Urbis magazine by the Urbis Editorial Desk. Spatial Design student work cited: "From the design of luxury, floating baches that can motor to other parts of our coa