Shaun Foster Headshot

Shaun Foster

Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design

585-475-7124
Office Location

Shaun Foster

Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design

Education

BBA, University of Wisconsin; MFA, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Shaun Foster (MFA) is a Professor of 3D Digital Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  With over 20 years of experience in 3D graphics and interactive educational design, he has worked on multiple award winning projects, has received multiple grants, and publishes and speaks regularly at top conferences.  His focus is on interactive real time 3D Graphics using the Unreal Engine, with next generation interfaces, including VR, AR, and Virtual Production.  In addition, please check out my published tutorials on Pluralsight.com and YouTube.com    

585-475-7124

Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Invited Keynote/Presentation
Foster, Shaun. "New, Open-Source, Unreal Curriculum." Educator Livestream. Epic Games. Cary, NC. 14 Aug. 2020. Guest Lecture.
Invited Article/Publication
Foster, Shaun. "Edtech in Action: Optimizing Technical Learning Processes." Technology and Learning University. (2020). Web.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Foster, Shaun and David Long. Epic Games. Epic MegaGrant. Cary, NC, 2020.
Foster, Shaun. Epic Games. Epic Mega Grant. Rochester, NY, 2019.
Published Conference Proceedings
Foster, Shaun and Ihab Mardini. "Cross Disciplinary Virtual Reality For Lighting and Composition." Proceedings of the Light Sound and Interactive 2019. Ed. . Rochester, NY: n.p., Web.
Foster, Shaun and Ihab Mardini. "Cross Disciplinary Virtual Reality for Lighting and Composition (November Update)." Proceedings of the Frameless Labs 2019. Ed. Frameless Labs. Rochester, NY: n.p., Web.
Foster, Shaun. "Wind, Light and Seating XpeRience (XR)." Proceedings of the Framless Labs, Rochester, NY 2019. Ed. Framless Labs. Rochester, NY: Frameless Labs, Web.
Foster, Shaun. "VR/AR/MR Technology, Strategic Design & Case Studies." Proceedings of the Frameless Labs. Ed. Frameless Labs. Rochester, NY: Frameless Labs, 2018. Web.
Foster, Shaun. "Integrating Virtual Reality into 3d Design Curriculum." Proceedings of the EDULEARN 17. Ed. (none). Barcelona, Spain: https://library.iated.org/view/FOSTER2017INT, 2017. Print.
Foster, Shaun. "Keeping up with Educational Convergence: Virtual Reality & Internet of Things." Proceedings of the TCC online. Ed. Bert. Honolulu, Hawaii: TCC Online, 2017. Web.
Foster, Shaun and Carol Fillip. "Expanding Gestalt: Analyzing Opportunities for Visual Design Creation and Education by Combining Gestalt Principles with New Technologies." Proceedings of the EDULEARN13. Ed. L. Gomez Chova, A. Lopez Martinez, and I. Candel Torres (International Association of Technology, Education and Development). Barcelona, Spain: IATED, 2013. Print.
Foster, Shaun and David Halbstein. "Screencasting Strategies: Heuristics for Using Video Content in 3D Computer Graphics Technological and Aesthetic Education." Proceedings of the SIGGRAPH 2013. Ed. ACM / SIGGRAPH. Anaheim, CA: ACM, 2013. Print.
Book Chapter
Foster, Shaun and Jacob Brostoff. "Digital Doppelgängers: Converging Technologies and Techniques in 3D World Modeling, Video Game Design and Urban Design." Media Convergence Handbook - Vol. 2. Ed. Artur Lugmayr and Cinzia Dal Zotto. New York, NY: Springer, 2016. 175-189. Print.
Published Review
Foster, Shaun C. Rev. of How'd My Avatar Get Into That Sneaker Ad?, ed. Slate editorial staff. Slate 4 Jan. 2012: 3. Web.

Currently Teaching

DDDD-498
1 - 6 Credits
This course exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in at places of employment that utilize three-dimensional software for various applications and other acceptable organizations. Students will work under the guidance of Art Directors, Technical Directors, or other professionals in the field and perform creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Documentation of the experience is required and final review from employer is required documenting the kind and quality of work performed. Students must obtain pre-approval of their department and complete the Internship Approval Form. Credit earned is used toward elective or major elective credits.
DDDD-517
3 Credits
The course focuses on implementing, advanced, newly developing ideas in three-dimensional computer graphics. The specific topic varies and is determined by the instructor. A specific course outline is provided each time the course is taught. Potential topics include the creation of interactive installations, game asset design, digital performances, cyber fashion, network art, locative media, scientific visualization, information visualization, event design, projection design, or any new area in digital design. This course has a subtopic and may be repeated with different subtopics; subtopics cannot be repeated.
DDDD-527
3 Credits
In this course students design levels for games or virtual worlds for a variety of applications. Once the design is complete, the design is implemented using high-end three-dimensional software. In many cases the projects will be large and will be executed by teams of students. Versioning systems will be used to keep track of the most recently developed assets. Models are imported into real time software engines for manipulation.
DDDD-599
1 - 6 Credits
3D Digital Design Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty advisor will propose a course of study. 3D Digital Design independent study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
FDTN-150
1 Credits
This technology-based workshop course will support the growth and exploration of technology for undergrads in the College of Art and Design. Each workshop will run for 5-weeks and will have an assigned topic based in a software or technical practices as the workshop topic. Students can enroll in these courses without limitations as long as the course topic is different.
VCDE-627
3 Credits
In this course, students design levels for games or virtual worlds for a variety of applications. Once the design is complete, the design is implemented using high-end three-dimensional software. In many cases the projects will be large and will be executed by teams of students. Versioning systems will be used to keep track of the most recently developed assets. Models are imported into real time software engines for manipulation.
VCDE-799
1 - 4 Credits
Visual Communication Design Independent Study will allow students to obtain instruction in specialized areas of interest to enhance their individual course of study. Working with a faculty adviser, students will propose a focused curriculum related to their academic and/or future career interests. Visual Communication Design Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor to enroll.**NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **