Daniel Sauter
Professor of Data Visualization, School of Art, Media, and Technology, Parsons School of Design
Daniel Sauter creates artworks and data visualizations dealing with the social implications of emerging technologies. His research is driven by a curiosity about how the computational regime transforms digital identity, geopolitics, and urban systems. He is a Professor at Parsons School of Design at the New School in New York City.
His collaborative works have been shown internationally, including the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City '17), OK Center for Contemporary Art (Ars Electronica, Linz '04, '09), ACM SIGGRAPH Convention and Exhibition Centers (Boston '06, Los Angeles '10), China Millennium Art Museum (Beijing '06), Metropolitan Museum of Photography (Tokyo '05), National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (Taichung '05), Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art (Rotterdam '06), Microwave International Media Art Festival (Hong Kong '06), Art Center Nabi (Seoul '06), Luminale Biennial for Light Culture (Frankfurt '10), Hangar Bicocca Center for Contemporary Art (Mixed Media Milan '06), Armory Center for the Arts (Pasadena '05), Ospedale Degli Innocenti (Beyond Media Festival Florence '05), Telic Gallery (Los Angeles '04), and the LA County Museum of Art LACMALab (Los Angeles '03).
Education
2002–2004
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Design | Media Arts
Master of Fine Arts
1996–2001
Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design
HfG Karlsruhe, Germany. Diploma (cum laude)
Academic Appointments
2021–present
School of Art, Media, and Technology Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC
Professor of Data Visualization
2019–2022
School of Art, Media, and Technology Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC
Master of Science in Data Visualization. Program Director
2014–2021
School of Art, Media, and Technology Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC
Associate Professor of Data Visualization
2013–2014
College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts. University of Illinois at Chicago
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
2011–2012
School of Art and Design. University of Illinois at Chicago
Associate Director
2010–2014
New Media Arts. School of Art and Design. University of Illinois at Chicago
Associate Professor of New Media Arts, Tenured
2006–2013
New Media Arts. School of Art and Design. University of Illinois at Chicago
Area Coordinator
2005–2011
University of Illinois at Chicago
Assistant Professor of New Media Arts
2004–2005
Department of Design | Media Arts, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Lecturer
2004
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Creative Web (DESMA 161A), Prof. Casey Reas
Teaching Assistant
2003–2004
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Integrative Typography (DESMA 154B), Wilhelm Henry Lucas
Teaching Assistant
2003
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Teaching Assistant Practicum (DESMA 495)
Teaching Assistant Consultant
2003
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Visual Communication (DESMA 103), Prof. Erkki Huhtamo
Teaching Assistant
2002–2003
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Integrative Typography (DESMA 154B - Studio), Danielle Foushee
Teaching Assistant
2002
Design | Media Arts, UCLA. Design Culture (DESMA 10 - Lecture), Prof. Erkki Huhtamo
Teaching Assistant
2000–2001
Exhibition Design. Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. Prof. Louis-Phillipe Demers
Student Assistant
1999–2000
Exhibition Design. Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. Prof. Christian Moeller
Student Assistant
Professional Work
2019–present
ClimaSens
Climate resilience platform serving governments, businesses, and communities to help plan, prepare and respond to climate extremes. Co-founder & CTO
2012–2020
Ketai LLC
Interactive art production studio. Principal
2000–2002
Werk, Bauen + Wohnen
Association of Swiss Architects (BSA). Art director team: Frank Fassmer, Matthias Megyeri, Daniel Sauter, and Maxi Schroeder. Zürich, Switzerland. Art Director
2000–2001
ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Dep. of Graphic and Exhibition Design, Karlsruhe, Germany
Consultant
1999–2000
Studio Altenkirch, Architecture and art photography, Karlsruhe, Germany
Assistant
Research Appointments
2018–2024
Urban Systems Lab, The New School
Associate Director
2016–2021
Integrative Ph.D. Fellowship Program. The New School
Co-Director
Sponsored Research
2025
Climate Tech Prize.
Twilio.org. Awarded $200,000. Co-PI
2023–2024
ClimateIQ: Empowering Communities to Prepare for Climate Threats with Hyperlocal Data.
Google.org. Awarded $5 Mio over 3 years. Co-PI
2022–2023
Ocellus XR.
The Architectural League of New York. Awarded $10,000. PI
2021–2022
Humanitech, Australian Red Cross.
Initiatives addressing humanitarian challenges through the innovative use of frontier technologies. Awarded AU$100,000. Co-PI
2020–2022
NSF Office of Integrative Activities (OIA): Growing Convergence Research (GCR).
Converging social, ecological, and technological infrastructure systems (SETS) for urban resilience. [0.5 months for 4 years]. Senior Personnel
2018–2019
The Citywide Stormwater Resiliency Study.
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) and the Research Foundation of CUNY on behalf of Brooklyn College, The City University of New York, with Academic Partners Stony Brook University, SUNY, The New School, Stevens Institute of Technology, Jupiter, and Colorado State University. Data Visualization Lead
2018–2019
NSF Smart and Connected Communities (Planning Grant).
Building Resilient Coastal Cities through Smart and Connected Communities. Domain Expert
2016–2021
The Integrative PhD Fellowship Program.
Humanistic Social Sciences in the Era of Digital Design and Digital Media. An initiative funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, combining doctoral training with digital design courses. The Integrative PhD Fellowship Program is funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and co-directed by Robin Wagner-Pacifici, the University in Exile Professor of Sociology, and Daniel Sauter, Associate Professor of Art, Media and Technology at Parsons. Awarded $750,000 over 4 years (Grant #21600614). Co-PI
2015–2021
National Science Foundation UREx SRN.
Urban Resilience to Weather-related Extreme Events Sustainability Research Network. Data Visualization Lead. Senior Personnel
Exhibitions
2017
The 2017 Whitney Biennial
Whitney Museum, NY. Irena Haiduk in collaboration with jesus.d and Daniel Sauter
2016
Interspace – artistic and design perspectives on virtual reality
Ringel Gallery, Purdue University, IN
2014
Encore Series
Sawhill Gallery, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
2013
Light and the Unseen
Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2013
The Bluest Eye
UIC Theatre and Music, Chicago, IL
2012
Mois Multi 2012
Avatar, Centre d’artistes en art audio et électronique, Québec, Canada
2011
Svetlobna Gverila
International Light Art Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2010
SIGGRAPH 2010
Los Angeles, CA
2010
Imaging the Future
Gallery Project, Ann Arbor, MI
2010
Luminale 2010
Biennial for Light Culture, Frankfurt, Germany
2009
Ars Electronica Festival
Cyberarts Exhibition, O.K Center for Contemporary Art, Linz, Austria
2009
Spatial Effects
Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, Detroit, MI
2008
Glow: Forum of Light in Art and Architecture
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
2008
The Emergence Project
Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2007
First International Meeting on Graphic Expression and Design
Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico City
2007
Computer Space XIX
Sofia, Bulgaria. Retrospective
2006
Connected
Art Center Nabi, Seoul, Korea
2006
Rewind
Broad Art Center, Los Angeles, CA
2006
Microwave International Media Art Festival
Hong Kong, China
2006
SIGGRAPH 2006
The 33rd International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Boston, MA
2006
3rd Beijing International New Media Arts Exhibition and Symposium 2006
Beijing, China
2006
Mixedmedia
Electronic culture event: new media art, architecture, sound, audio, video, Hangar Bicocca, Milan, Italy
2006
Satellite of Love
Witte de With, Center for Contemporary Art, in collaboration with the 35th International Film Festival, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2005
Beyond Media 05: Script
8th International Festival of Architecture and Media, at the Ospedale degli Innocenti and Stazione Leopolda, Florence, Italy
2005
Climax: The Highlight of Ars Electronica
The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung, Taiwan
2005
8th Japan Media Art Festival 2004
Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Tokyo, Japan
2005
Art In Motion VI
The Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena
2004
Ars Electronica Festival
Cyberarts Exhibition, O.K Center for Contemporary Art, Linz, Austria
2004
idca:54 International Design Conference Aspen
Satellite Conference, M&A (Materials & Applications, Architecture and Landscape Research), Los Angeles, CA
2004
MFA show 2004 Design | Media Arts
New Wight Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2004
telic gallery
Los Angeles, CA
2003
LACMALab
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CA
2003
Pacific Design Center
Westweek festival, Los Angeles, CA
2002
10 Years HfG Karlsruhe
Germany
2002
FILE 2002
São Paulo, Brazil
2002
6th International Video Festival
Novi Sad, Serbia and Montenegro
2002
International Video Festival
Bochum, Germany
2002
MfG (Media Development, Baden-Wuerttemberg)
CINEMAXX, Stuttgart, Germany
2002
Milia 2002
Cannes, France
2001
Europrix 2001 Award Conference and Gala
Lisbon, Portugal
2001
Europrix Top Talent Festival
Vienna, Austria
2001
Cast 01
Conference on artistic, cultural and scientific aspects of experimental media spaces, MARS - Exploratory Media Lab, Frauenhofer-Gesellschaft, Bonn, Germany
2001
Century of Design travelling to Karlsruhe (Badisches Landesmuseum in the castle of Karlsruhe)
Hannover (Kestner-Forum) and Hamm (Gustav-Lübke-Museum), Germany
2001
Kunsthalle Baden-Baden
GRAU, Baden-Baden, Germany
2001
Leipzig Book Fair 2001
Competition ‘Leipzig Erstausgabe’, Leipzig, Germany
Books
2013
Daniel Sauter. Rapid Android Development: Build Rich, Sensor-Based Applications with Processing
Raleigh and Dallas: Pragmatic Programmers. 350 p. First release of the electronic publication, Aug. 21, 2012. Released as ebook, pdf, and website in May 2017, available at http://mobileprocessing.org
2009
Daniel Sauter. Light Attack: Media Art and the Moving-Moving Image as Intervention in Public Spaces
Beau-Bassin, Mauritius: VDM Publishing House Ltd, 2010. 73 p.
Book Chapters
2020
Daniel Sauter, Jaskirat Singh Randhawa, Claudia Tomateo Chang, Timon McPhearson. Visualizing urban social-ecological-technological systems
Resilient Urban Futures. Editors: Zoé Hamstead, Marta Berbés-Blázquez, Elizabeth Cook, David Iwaniec, Timon McPhearson, Tischa Muñoz-Erickson. Springer Urban Book Series [accepted for publication]. Co-author
2017
Daniel Sauter. Citizens of the Cognisphere
In Filimowicz, M. & Tzankova, V. (Eds.) Teaching Computational Creativity (pp. 229–256). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Author
Articles
2025
Feagan, M., Muñoz-Erickson, T. A., Hobbins R., Baja, K., Chester, M., Cook, E. M., Grimm, N., Grove, M., Iwaniec, D. M., Iyer, S., McPhearson, T., Méndez-Lázaro, P., Miller, C., Sauter, D., Solecki, W., Tomateo, C., Troxler, T., Welty, C.
Co-producing new knowledge systems for resilient and just coastal cities: A social-ecological-technological systems framework for data visualization.. Cities, Volume 156, 2025, 105513, ISSN 0264-2751, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.105513.
2022
Sauter, D., McPhearson, T., & Kennedy, C.
(2022, October 12). Ocellus XR: Visualizing Climate Risk, vulnerability, and equity in NYC. Public Seminar. https://publicseminar.org/essays/ocellus-xr-visualizing-climate-risk
2021
McPhearson, T., Olivotto, V., Tomateo, C., & Sauter, D.
(2021, October 7). Urban Systems Lab Launches Interactive NYC stormwater exposure scenarios and data visualization... Medium. https://medium.com/resilience/urban-systems-lab-launches-interactive-nyc-stormwater-exposure-scenarios-and-data-visualization-b52598acb3e7
2021
Grabowski, Z., Herreros, P., Ilieva, R. T., Kennedy, C., Mustafa, A., McPhearson, T., Ortiz, L., Tomateo, C., Sauter, D., & Steele, J.
(2021, October 21). Covid-19 blog. Social Vulnerability, COVID-19 and Climate. https://urbansystemslab.com/covid19
2011
Sauter, D. “Integrative Data Visualization”
In G. I. Iannilli (Ed.), Co-operative Aesthetics: A Quasi-Manifesto for the 21st Century, Aesthetica
2011
Sauter, D. “Implied Aesthetics: A Sensor-based Approach towards Mobile Interfaces”.
Communications in Computer and Information Science, Springer
2010
Sauter, D., and Winkler, F. “In the Line of Sight.”
Leonardo, the Journal of the International Society of the Arts, Sciences and Technology 43, no. 4 (2010), pp. 410-411
2009
Sauter, D. “The Emergence Project: A Machine of Expression.”
Proceedings of the Chicago Colloquium on Digital Humanities and Computer Science 1, no. 1 (2009), pp. 1-7
2007
Sauter, D. “Light Attack: Media Art and the Moving-Moving Image as Intervention in Public Spaces.”
In Proceedings of ISEA2008: The 14th International Symposium on Electronic Art, Singapore: ISEA2008 Pte. Ltd. (2008), pp. 402-404
2003
Sauter, D.. Temporary Space.
In S. Gohr (Ed.), Karlsruher Ikonotope 1992-2002 (pp. 330-331). Karlsruhe: Staatliche Hochschule fuer Gestaltung Karlsruhe
2003
Sauter, D.. Transient: Reactive/Interactive Installations.
In P. Giaconia (Ed.), Intimacy: Spot on Schools, Beyond Media 03, Firenze: Mandragora, p. 76
2002
Sauter, D. & Juergens, P.. S/He’ll survive.
In R. Barreto, P. Perissinoto, & F. Prata (Eds.), Internet Art: Digital Culture. São Paulo, Brazil: Paço das Artes
2001
Sauter, D. & Juergens, P.. S/He’ll survive.
In F. Pfeffer & D. Kretschmann (Eds.), :output 04. Mainz: Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz, p. 43
Talks
2025
Digital Techniques for Urban Designers
M.S. Architecture and Urban Design program at Columbia GSAPP. Presenter
2024
Climate Knowledge Exchange Flood Working Group Meeting
Major’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. Daniel Sauter and Timon McPhearson. Presenter
2023
NYC AWE Nite
XR Prize project presentation, New York Chapter. Online. Presenter
2023
Global AWE XR Prize
Conference. Conference. Santa Clara (CA). Presenter
2019
Resilient Futures: New Thinking on Climate Change
Timon McPhearson, Daniel Sauter. Resilient Futures: New Thinking on Climate Change. Panelists: Tischa A. Muñoz-Erickson, Pablo Mendez-Lazaro, Amy Chester. The Festival of New, Centennial Program, The New School, NY. Co-Organizer
2018
NYC Citywide Stormwater Resiliency Study
Map viewer portal and report presentation to City stakeholders from the NYC Mayor's Office of Resiliency, Department of Environmental Protection and other city agencies. Presenter
2018
Resilient Urban Futures: Modeling Co-designed Transformation Scenarios to Climate Driven Extreme Events.
McPhearson, Timon*, Marta Berbes, Rocio Carrero, Elizabeth Cook, Yaella Depietri, Khila Dahal, Carson Farmer, Nancy Grimm, Zoé Hamstead, David Iwaniec, Tischa Munoz-Erickson, Jaskirat Singh Randhawa, Daniel Sauter, Chris Wyczalkowski. 2018. “Resilient Urban Futures: Modeling Co-designed Transformation Scenarios to Climate Driven Extreme Events.” Ecological Society of America, Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.. Conference Paper
2018
Presentation to the New School Board of Trustees
On Information Technology and Innovation at the New School. With Chief Information Officer Anand Padmanabhan. Presenter
2018
User-Centered Design for Emerging Digital-Physical Environments
Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Lecture
2018
UIC School of Design and the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
Lecture
2018
Envisioning a new urban jungle
Aucher Serr, Daniel Sauter, and Timon McPhearson. “Envisioning a new urban jungle.” The State of Green Roofs in NYC, Green Roof Researchers Alliance, 1 st Annual Conference, The New School, NY.. Conference Paper
2018
A social-ecological-technological systems approach to modeling future heat and heat vulnerability in New York City
McPhearson, Timon*, Rocio Carrero, Yaella Depietri, Khila Dahal, Zoé Hamstead, Jaskirat Singh Randhawa, Daniel Sauter, and Carson Farmer. “A social-ecological-technological systems approach to modeling future heat and heat vulnerability in New York City.” 2018. American Association of Geographers (AAG), annual meeting, New Orleans, LA.. Conference Paper
2017
Graduate Institute for Design, Ethnography, & Social Thought (GIDEST)
Citizens of the Cognisphere Guest Seminar. Lecture
2017
Computation and Visualization Working Group, UREx Urban Resilience, New York
Demonstration
2017
A social-ecological-technical systems approach to modeling future scenarios of heat and heat vulnerability in New York City
McPhearson, Timon, Carson Famer, Khila Dahal, Yaella Depietri, Zoé Hamstead, Jaskirat Singh Randhawa, Daniel Sauter. 2017. “A social-ecological-technical systems approach to modeling future scenarios of heat and heat vulnerability in New York City,” Baltimore Ecosystem Study, LTER Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.. Conference Paper
2017
3D Urban systems data visualization in New York City
Daniel Sauter, Jaskirat Singh Randhawa, and Timon McPhearson. “3D Urban systems data visualization in New York City.” Urban Resilience to Weather-related Extremes Sustainability Research Network, The New School, New York, NY.. Presenter
2016
Purdue University, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Purdue University, IN
Lecture
2016
Northeastern University, College of Arts, Media, and Design, MA
Lecture
2015
SxSW Eco: Information Ecologies and Local Geopolitics
Lecture
2015
Mobile Sensing and Data Structures, Parsons, The New School, NY
Lecture
2014
Social and Cultural Computing
The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY. Lecture
2014
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Artist Talk Encore Series
2013
Our Apparatus: Performance, Media and Perception
Department: Film, Video, New Media, SAIC, Chicago, IL. Lecture
2013
Mobile Processing Conference 2013
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Lecture
2013
Human Augmentics
CS 491. UIC Electronic Visualization Laboratory, Chicago, IL. Guest Lecturer
2012
Mobile Processing Conference 2012
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
2012
Mobile Processing Conference 2012
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Lecture
2012
University of the Arts Berlin, Digitale Klasse, DE
Lecture
2012
LASALLE College, Media Lab, SG
Artist Talk and Master Class
2012
Nanyang Technological University Singapore, School of Art, Design and Media, SG
Lecture
2012
Videotage New Media Art Collective, Hong Kong, HK
Artist Talk and Workshop
2012
FabCafe/Loftwork, Shibuya, Tokyo, JP
Artist Talk and Workshop
2012
University of California, Department of Design/Media Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Workshop
2012
University of Michigan, School of Art and Design, Ann Arbor, MI
Workshop
2012
Centre d’artistes en art audio et électronique, Québec, Canada
Avatar. Talk
2011
Mobile Processing Conference 2011
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Lecture
2011
The HCI International Conference
Orlando, FL. Talk
2011
ORD Camp
Unconference (invitation only), UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Talk
2010
Fundamentals of Art with Technology
Department of Art and Technology Studies, School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Lecture
2010
Mobile Processing Conference 2010
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Lecture
2010
Processing.Android: Open-Source for Mobile Innovation
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Talk
2010
AUDO
Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN. Lecture
2010
SIGGRAPH Studio 2010, Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Guest Speaker
2010
Art and Technology Seminar
Department of Art, Media and Design, DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Guest Speaker
2010
Light and Algorithmic Art
Department of New Media Art and Design, University of the Arts Berlin (UDK). Talk
2009
The Burnham Plan Centennial - Talks with the Team, Millennium Park, Chicago
Guest Speaker
2009
Spatial Effects: In the Line of Sight, Wayne State University
Guest Speaker
2008
The Emergence Project, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago
Guest Speaker
2008
Chicago Colloquium on Digital Humanities and Computer Science, University of Chicago
Guest Speaker
2008
International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA), Singapore
Guest Speaker
2008
Electronic Media Colloquium
Department of Art and Technology Studies School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Lecture
2007
First International Meeting on Graphic Expression and Design
Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (UAM), Azcapotzalco, Mexico City. (incl. workshop: The Camera as Computer Interface). Keynote Speaker
2007
Art and Design Spring Lecture Series, Purdue University
Guest Speaker
2006
Microwave International Media Art Festival Hong Kong
Guest Speaker and Panelist
2006
3rd Beijing International New Media Symposium 2006
Presenter
2005
Armory Center for the Art
Presenter
2004
dorkbot SoCal
Guest Speaker
Panels
2019
The Everything Manifesto
Screening and panel discussion co-organized by IAM and Parsons School for Design Strategies. Panelist
2019
Smart Cities Never Sleep
Urban Mobility, Equity and Safety After Dark. Center for Urban Science and Progress, New York City, NY. Panelist
2018
Transatlantic and Interdisciplinary Take on the Future of XR
Playing Field for XR’s Future and its Current Implications. German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH NY). Panelist
2017
Model-Antimodel Seminar
Alongside the exhibition A Working Model of the World at the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, New York. Hosted by Tega Brain, Lizzie Muller, Daniel Sauter, and Radhika Subramaniam. Co-host
2017
Indigeneity, Stack, Sovereignty
Mobility in Post Democracy. Vera List Center for Art and Politics. The New School. Panelists: Nobutaka Aozaki, Benjamin Bratton, Tyler Coburn, Jaskiran Dhillon, Adelita Husni-Bey, Anne Spice. Moderator
2010
Art in the Age of Infinite Reproducibility
Gallery Three Walls, Chicago. Panelist
2006
Mixedmedia
Electronic culture event: new media art, architecture, and sound. Panelist
2004
MEDIAtecture
the Fusion of Architecture and Digital Media. Panelist
Workshops
2022
Ocellus XR
Viz4Climate workshop. IEEE VIS 2022, Oklahoma City. PI
2021
Dataviz for Aspiring Professionals”
German Centers for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in New York and Tokyo. Host
2021
Telling Stories with Data
German Centers for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in New York and Tokyo. Host
2019
Coopathon
Designing an Index of the Digital Co-Op Space. The New School, NY. Co-host
2018
Blockchain Session
W.A.G.E. Summit: The Artist’s Contract on Blockchain. Host
2018
NSF Smart & Connected Communities, Baltimore Innovation Lab
S&CC Planning Grant on Resilient Coastal Cities, National Science Foundation. Domain Expert
2018
NSF Smart & Connected Communities, Miami Innovation Lab
S&CC Planning Grant on Resilient Coastal Cities, National Science Foundation. Domain Expert
2018
San Juan Innovation Dialogues
San Juan Innovation Dialogues, S&CC Planning Grant on Resilient Coastal Cities, National Science Foundation. Domain Expert
2018
NSF Smart & Connected Communities, Miami Innovation Dialogues
S&CC Planning Grant on Resilient Coastal Cities, National Science Foundation. Domain Expert
2015
Faculty workshops and curriculum development
Agastya International Foundation, Andhra Pradesh, India. Organizer
2013
Mobile Processing Conference 2013
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
2012
ITP Workshop
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, NY. Workshop
2010
Processing.Android: Open-Source for Mobile Innovation
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Workshop
2010
AUDO 2010
Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN. Workshop
2010
Visiting Artist
ACRE Project (The Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions Project), Steuben, WI. Workshop
2008
Listening to Images
AUDO 2008, Purdue University
Awards and Honors
2023
XR Prize Challenge Finalist, Ocellus XR
: Fight Climate Change. PI
2021–2022
Humanitech’s Innovation Lab, Australian Red Cross
AUD $100,000 Emerging technology pilot fund for social and humanitarian issues. Co-lead.
2019–2021
University Fellowship Award
The New School. Co-PI
2019
Arcadis City of 2030 Accelerator, Powered by Techstars
$100,000 USD Seed fund. Co-lead
2017
Nomination for the Distinguished University Teaching Award
(DUTA), The New School
2017–2018
Parsons Student Assistant Fund
Research support. PI
2017
Finalist, YouFab Global Creative Awards
Organized by FabCafe, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
2016–2017
Graduate Institute for Design, Ethnography & Social Thought
Faculty Fellow. GIDEST. The New School for Social Research
2015
Parsons Student Assistant Fund
Research support. PI
2015
School-based Funds Grant 2015-16
Research support. PI
2015
Mentoring Fund Award
Research support. PI
2014
Parsons Cross School Funds 2015
Research support. PI
2014–2015
Parsons Student Assistant Fund
Research support. PI
2013
City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
Individual Artist Grant
2012
Recipient Faculty Scholarship 2012
Scholarship
2012
Recipient Dean’s Research Prize
Research support. PI
2010
Recipient Faculty Scholarship 2010
Scholarship
2010
Recipient UIC College of Architecture and the Arts Research Prize
Research Award
2009
Recipient UIC Council for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Teaching Recognition Program Award
2009
Prix Ars Electronica
Honorary Mention. Interactive Art. In the Line of Sight
2009
Recipient Faculty Scholarship
Campus Funds. Faculty Scholarship Support Program. Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. University of Illinois at Chicago
2008
Recipient, CAA Research Prize
College of Art and Architecture. University of Illinois at Chicago
2006
Recipient OVCR Arts, Architecture, and Humanities Award
Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Institute for the Humanities. University of Illinois at Chicago
2005
Nabi Special Honorary Mention
Unesco Digital Arts Award. City and Creative Media. Light Attack
2005
Bernay Kurland Grayson Award for Creative Excellence
Light Attack
2005
Art In Motion 6 Award: Light Attack
Award
2004
8th Japan Media Arts Festival
Adjudicators’ Recommendation. Interactive Art. Light Attack
2004
Prix Ars Electronica
Honorary Mention. Interactive Art: We interrupt your regularly scheduled program
2004
MFA Thesis Award
The Bermant foundation: Color. Light, Motion: Light Attack
2004
Scholarship
UC Regents Scholarship, UCLA
2004
UC Regents Scholarship, UCLA
Scholarship
2003
Orselli Memorial Scholarship, UCLA
Scholarship
2003
Webb Fine Arts Scholarship, UCLA
Scholarship
2002
Diploma
Cum laude. Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. Department of Communication Design
2002
Red Dot Award
Communication design award. Werk, Bauen + Wohnen
2001–2003
DAAD
German Academic Exchange Office. Stipend and tuition coverage, 12-months, UCLA
2000
Winner of the EuroPrix Student Award 2001: s/He’ll survive
Award
2000
Association of Swiss Architects (BSA)
First prize. International design competition. Werk, Bauen + Wohnen
Certificates
2020
IBM Quantum Computing Practitioner
Issued by IBM
2020
IBM Artificial Intelligence Practitioner
— Instructor. Issued by IBM
Reviews
2012
Truckenbrod, J.. The Paradoxical Object: Video Film Sculpture.
Black Dog Publishing Limited, pp. 144-245. Review
2010
Reas, C.. FORM + CODE
In Design, Architecture, and Art. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Review
2009
Wilson, S. (2010). Art+Science Now: Art/Science Convergence as Emerging Art Field.
New York: Thames & Hudson. Review
2009
Sauter, D. & Winkler, F.. In the Line of Sight.
In H. Leopoldseder, C. Schoepf, & G. Stocker (Eds.), CyberArts 2009: International Compendium - Prix Ars Electronica 2009. Ostfildern-Ruit: Hantje Cantz. Review
2007
Wisby, G.. Daniel Sauter makes art with light. UIC News, University of Illinois at Chicago
Review
2007
Joy Nyenhuis-Rouch. Light Attack project connects people to art. The Exponent, Purdue University
Review
2006
Sauter D.. Light Attack, Hybrid performance.
In Bonnie Mitchell (Ed.), SIGGRAPH 2006: Electronic Art and Animation. The Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. Review
2006
Sauter D.. Light Attack.
In Linus Fung (Ed.), Microwave International New Media Arts Festival. Film Programs Office, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong. Review
2005
Sauter, D. & Khan, O.. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program.
In M. Hsiao & S. Lin (Eds.), Climax: The Highlight of Ars Electronica (pp. 82-85). Taichung, Taiwan: National Museum of Fine Arts. Review
2005
Maire, J.. Light Attack; We interrupt your regularly scheduled program
Livraison #5, Rhinoceros Comme Revue D’art Contemporain: Rafraichir L’ecran, Refreshing the screen, 1(5), 104-109. Review
2004
Crystal, C. “Gallery illuminates media arts’ interactive, high-tech vision.”
In, Telic kinesis: A new stream in digital media (p. 1, pp. 6-7). Los Angeles: UCLA. (Reprinted from Daily Bruin, 2004, February 12). Review
2004
Sauter, D. & Khan, O.. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program.
In H. Leopoldseder, C. Schoepf, & G. Stocker (Eds.), CyberArts 2004: International Compendium - Prix Ars Electronica 2004 (pp. 144-145). Ostfildern-Ruit: Hantje Cantz. Review
Television Interviews and Reviews in Media
2023
Ocellus XR App for Visualizing Climate Risk in New York City
2020
Tiffany, K. “Facebook’s New Privacy Tool Is a Data Landfill.”
The Atlantic, 2020. January 28. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/01/off-facebook-activity-tool-download-website-data/605680/
2017
Daniel Sauter - Citizens of the Cognisphere
GIDEST presents: Daniel Sauter
2015
United Nations Foundation and Social Good
SXSW Eco 2015, a space for business leaders, investors, innovators and designers to drive economic, environmental and social change
2009
WDET Detroit Public Radio
Craig Fahle. Exhibition Review for Spatial Effects: New Digital Art
2006
The Works, Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scene
Gary Pollard. Radio Television Hong Kong. 5:40-7:30 min
2000
National Portuguese Television
Europrix Gala Award Show
Juries
2024
IEEE Visualization and Graphics Technical Community: VIS 2024 Viz4Climate and Sustainability.
Member
2019
Access Cities Open Innovation
Air Quality and Urban Heat Island Effect. Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer, New York City. Member
2018
Vera List Center Fellowship Jury
If Art is Politics. Member
2018
Reviewer, Art Papers, ACM SIGGRAPH 2018
Reviewer
2016
IEEE VIS
Data Improvisations. Conference for advances in scientific and information visualization, Baltimore, MD. Review Committee.. Member
2015
Member, History Jam Jury (A+E Networks, The History Channel)
Member of Jury
2015
IEEE VIS
Conference for advances in scientific and information visualization, Chicago, IL. Review Committee. Member
2015
Pleace by Design Juror at SxSW Eco Conference 2015
Jury
2013–2015
Hyde Park Art Center Exhibitions Committee
With Dawoud Bey, Michelle Grabner, and Caroline Picard. Member
2013
Chicago Filmmakers Selection Committee
Chicago Digital Media Production Fund. Member
2012
SIGGRAPH 2012 Art Gallery Organizing Committee
Los Angeles, CA. Member
2012
SIGGRAPH 2012 Art Gallery Jury
MIT, Boston, MA. Member
Courses Taught
2015–present
Parsons School of Design, School of Art, Media, and Technology, The New School
Major Studio 2 (PGDV 5210), Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Spring 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016. Intro to Data Visualization (PSAM 5010), Spring 2026. Major Studio 1 (PGDV 5200), Fall 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015. Data as Material (PSAM 5170), Spring 2024. Currents: Blockchain (PSAM 5600), Spring 2018. Independent Study (PGDV 5900), Spring 2017. Data Visualization and Information Aesthetics (PGDV 5100), Fall 2015 (Section A+B). Data Visualization (PGTE 5598), Spring 2015. Core Lab Interaction (PUCD 2126), Spring 2015. Instructor
2005–2015
School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Chicago
Topics in New Media Arts: Programming for Artists (ART 250). Interdisciplinary Research Studio: Information Aesthetics (ART 452). Introduction to Computer Graphics (AD 205). Intermediate Computer Graphics (AD 206). Info Aesthetics I (AD 452, AD 305). Info Aesthetics II (AD 453, AD 307). Interaction Design I (AD 325). Dynamic Web (AD 406). Web for Artists (AD 406). Senior Projects: Calm Technologies (AD 409). Interaction Design II (AD 422). Independent Study in Electronic Visualization (AD 472). Embedded Media: Physical Computing (AD 456). Seminar in Contemporary Theory: Drive-by: On Site-specific Art and Urban Screens (AD 502). Graduate Seminar (AD 508). Graduate Independent Study (AD 509). Instructor
2004–2005
Department of Design | Media Arts. University of California, Los Angeles
Introduction to the Creative Use of the Internet (DESMA 161A). Design for Interactive Media (DESMA 157A). Introduction to Interactivity and Media Arts (DESMA 28). Dynamic Web (DESMA 161B). Dynamic Typography and Motion Graphics (DESMA 155). Instructor
University Service
2025–2026
Rank Review Committee
Ad-hoc committee for renewable term faculty positions (RTA). Parsons School of Design. Member
2025
Rank Review Committee
Ad-hoc committee for renewable term faculty positions (RTA). Parsons School of Design. Member
2024–2025
Search Committee
Assistant/Associate Professor of Data Visualization. Parsons School for Design. Member
2024
Rank Review Committee
Ad-hoc committee for renewable term faculty positions (RTA). Parsons School of Design. Member
2024
Search Committee
Senior Research Fellow in Geospatial Software Engineering, School of Public Engagements. Member
2023–2025
Data Visualization Minor
Approving undergraduate courses for the subject areas History and Theory, Studio Practice, Information Design and Mapping, and Gathering and Understanding Data. Point person
2023–2024
Rank Review Committee
Ad-hoc committee for renewable term faculty positions (RTA). Parsons School of Design. Member
2023–2026
Research, Scholarship, and Creative Practice (RSCP) Committee
2019
New Directions in Interdisciplinary Research on Blockchains: Which Block Are You From?
NYC-based multi-institutional collaborative research community conference, organized by The New School, CUNY, and Decenture. Co-organizer
2019
Search Committee
Assistant Professor of Emerging Photographic Technologies, Parsons School for Design. Member
2019
Search Committee
Post-doctoral Fellowship in Urban Systems, Environmental Studies Program, School for Public Engagement. Member
2019
A Transatlantic Dialogue on Data-Driven Innovation
A Transatlantic Dialogue on Data-Driven Innovation. Delegation of university presidents from Hessen, Germany (Frankfurt, Giessen, Marburg, Darmstadt, and Kassel), co-hosted with the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH). Co-host
2019
Academic Exchange and Cooperation with Chiba University
Faculty trip to establish partnership opportunities with Deans Jane Pirone (SDS) and Robert Kirkbride (SCE). Participant
2018–2019
Data Visualization Minor
Approving undergraduate courses for the subject areas History and Theory, Studio Practice, Information Design and Mapping, and Gathering and Understanding Data. Point person
2018
Search Committee
NSF Post-doctoral Fellowship for Cellular Automata Modeling, Environmental Studies Program, School for Public Engagement. Member
2018
Search Committee
NSF Post-doctoral Fellowship for Spatial Modeling, Environmental Studies Program, School for Public Engagement. Member
2018
Rank Review Committee
Ad-hoc committee for renewable term faculty positions (RTA). Parsons School of Design. Member
2018
Dietmar Offenhuber
Sticky Data and Superstitious Patterns: Visualization beyond Cognitivism. Parsons Data Visualization (MS) Lecture. Host
2018
Board of Trustees Presentations
Information Technology and Innovation. With Anand Padmanabhan and Burak Cakmak. Presenter
2018
Data Visualization Keynotes
Featuring the thesis works of graduating students in the Master of Science in Data Visualization. Host
2017–2018
Faculty Advisory Board
XReality Center, The New School. Chair
2017
72nd General Assembly Field Trip
United Nations Secretariat.Event “Income Inequality Trends in sub-Saharan Africa Divergence, Determinants and Consequences” featuring a panel of African presidents and government ministers. Major Studio 1 (PGDV 5200) students and selected faculty. Lead
2017–2018
Search Committee
Assistant Professor of Interaction and Media Design. School of Art, Media, and Technology. Chair
2017–2016
Making Center Advisory Committee
Making Center faculty and staff advisory committee, directed by William McHale. Member
2017
Data Visualization Keynotes
Featuring the thesis works of graduating students in the Master of Science in Data Visualization. Host
2016
Virtual Reality
Curriculum leadership conversation organized by David Van Zandt and Tim Marshall. Member
2016
Full-time Faculty Orientation
Moving forward deliberately: Setting your research/creative practice agenda and advice on grants. Presenter
2016–2017
Search Committee
Assistant Professor of Interaction and Media Design. School of Art, Media, and Technology. Member
2016
AMT Orientation
Student Orientation. Presenter
2016
Data Visualization Keynotes
Featuring the thesis works of graduating students in the Master of Science in Data Visualization. Host
2016
Lev Manovich
Visualizing Instagram data: selfies, cities and protests. Public Lecture. Host
2015–2019
UNDP Regional Bureau of Africa
External partnership. Final project deliverable for Major Studio 1 (PGDV 5200). Lead
2015
Agastya International Foundation
Curriculum and external partnership development. Bangalore, India. Co-lead
2015
School Curriculum Committee
School of Art, Media, and Technology. Member
2014–2015
Search Committee
Director, Making Center. Member
2014–2015
Search Committee
Director, Parsons Institute for Information Mapping. Member
2014
MS Data Visualization
School and university curriculum committee approval. Counsel
Professional Service
2020
Summit on Education Blockchains
Second Summit held by the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education, Washington DC. Participant
2019
USA for UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
#HackABetterWorld with Data Viz Hackathon. Hosted by USA for UNHCR and Parsons School of Design. Co-organizer
2019
Summit on Education Blockchains
First Summit held by the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education, Washington DC. Participant
2019–2023
Platform Cooperativism Consortium
The Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy, NY. Affiliate Faculty
2018
Decenture Blockchain Hackathon
With students from Parsons, Columbia University, Cornell University, Touro College, Binghamton University, University of Massachusetts, Stony Brook University, Binghamton. The New School. New York, NY. Co-host
2013
Mobile Processing Conference
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
2012
Mobile Processing Conference
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
2011
Mobile Processing Conference
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
2010
Mobile Processing Conference
UIC Innovation Center, Chicago, IL. Organizer
Guest Critiques
2017
MFA Industrial Design
Thesis Preparation Final Review. Mark Bechtel, Julie Lasky. Guest Critic
2017
Major Studio 2
MFA Design and Technology. Melanie Crean. Spring 2017. Guest Critic
2015
Major Studio 1
MFA Design and Technology. David Carroll. Spring 2015. Guest Critic
2015
BFA Communication Design
Thesis Reviews. Guest Critic
Technical Work
2019–2026
ClimaSens Climate Risk Platform
Integrated decision support platform to monitor infrastructure performance and assess climate risk. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
2017–2024
Ocellus Data Visualization Platform
Sauter, D., McPhearson, T., Randhawa, J., Steele, J., Tomateo, C., & Kennedy, C. Ocellus. Interactive web platform that visualizes social, ecological, and technological systems (SETS) data.
2019–2024
Ocellus XR
Sauter, D., McPhearson, T., Peng, X. E., Wu, Y., Fan, P., Bowe, E., Outwater, J., & Kennedy, C. Mixed reality application to explore first-person 3D visualizations of social-ecological-technological data.
2017–2019
W.A.G.E. Certification Platform
National certification program that facilitates the fair remuneration of artists' labor in the nonprofit sector. Developer
2008–2018
Ketai Code repository and reference site
Software library that allows simplified access to sensors, cameras, and networking hardware on Android devices using Processing. Developer