DigitalEuan
Aotearoa
NZ Artist
DigitalEuan – Auckland – 3D design + Sculpture + websites. DXF files for laser / plasma / water cutting – STL files for 3D printing.
DXF/STL | 3D | Graphic
Custom 3D Design, Sculpture Fabrication & Website Services in Auckland
Serving clients across New Zealand & worldwide for custom 3D modeling, metal fabrication design, and digital solutions.
From sketch to 3D concept – for sculpture through to DXF + STL files for fabrication
DigitalEuan creates 3D models of your concept for proposals or design development.
The 3D model can be flattened, split then turned into dxf files for laser/plasma/water cutting and the 3D model can used for fabrication assistance – producing detailed printed plans and digital modelling guidance.
Sculpture
Fine art
Illustration
Commissions
Websites + Branding + Design services
Working with small or large projects
NZ wide + international.
~ Any digital design tasks ~
Local In-Person Consultation Areas:
Based in Pollok on the Awhitu Peninsula. Available for in-person project meetings across Waiuku, Pukekohe, Tuakau, Franklin, and the wider Auckland region.
Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Regional Awards
~ Pleased to be a part of this project ~
The Pukekohe housing project by city-based architects Ashton Mitchell - in the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Regional Awards
DigitalEuan supplied design for the Corten steel Pou from sketch concepts right through to dxf for cutting/fabrication.
3D design / modelling + files for 3D printing
Project:
MIT Manukau, Auckland
- 3D printed Pou
TechPark – 58 Manukau Station Road, Manukau, Auckland.
https://www.manukau.ac.nz/campus-facilities/campuses/mit-techpark/
Featured in Architecture Now magazine:
https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/behind-the-object-te-aka-matauranga/
#1 initial sketch provided
consultation and initial design discussions including scale, purpose, material for printing etc
#2 modelling
basic 3D model designed and changes discussed. 2D images and 3D previews are generated for detailed analysis
#3 advanced design
details added, and any further alterations made
#4 print setup
model is broken up into printable sized parts, internal support or conduits can be added. STL files or other compatible files generated and supplied to printer
(Click to enlarge)
#5 installation
parts are assembled onsite, they can be painted and have lighting installed
Project: MIT TechPark, Auckland – 3D-Printed Pou
TechPark – 58 Manukau Station Road, Manukau, Auckland.
Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) TechPark Campus
Commissioned as a groundbreaking fusion of ancient Māori and Pacific cultural heritage with cutting-edge digital technology, DigitalEuan collaborated to design the world’s first (possibly) 3D-printed pou for MIT’s trades and engineering campus. Standing tall as a welcoming beacon in South Auckland, the 7-meter-tall landmark honors local iwi stories while showcasing modern fabrication methods.
From Traditional Hand Sketches to Digital Blueprints
The collaborative design process bridged traditional carving wisdom with advanced computational design:
- #1 Initial Concept & Consultation: Working alongside master carver and kaumatua Ted Ngataki and his apprentice Maaka Potini from Ngāti Tamaoho to capture authentic cultural narratives, including Ranginui and Papatuanuku at the base and 12 historical birds circling the top.
- #2 3D Modeling & Design: Transforming hand drawings into detailed digital blueprints, generating precise 3D previews and structural layouts for review.
- #3 Print Setup & Fabrication: Engineering the monumental structure into printable segments, optimizing internal conduits and structural joints, and generating precise STL files for high-precision manufacturing.
Hei Matau – large sculpture
Project:
Kahawai Point Developments
Aluminum sculpture
Aluminum sculpture 3.6m high
Kahawai Point, Glenbrook, Auckland
Stunning location looking over the Manukau Harbour.
75 Tahuna Minhinnick Dr, Glenbrook Auckland.
Full design, cutting files + organise local fabrication and installation.
Project: Kahawai Point, Glenbrook – 3.6m Aluminum Hei Matau Sculpture
Kahawai Point Reserve, 75 Tahuna Minhinnick Drive, Glenbrook, Auckland.
View on Google Maps | Manukau Peninsula Diorama Map
Overlooking the stunning coastal waters of the Manukau Harbour, this monumental 3.6-meter-tall aluminum sculpture stands as a modern landmark at Kahawai Point. Created from initial concept design through to full digital cutting files and local fabrication oversight, the sculpture anchors the community with deep cultural significance.
The Cultural Significance of the Hei Matau
The Hei Matau (traditional Māori fish hook pendant) is a revered taonga (cultural treasure) representing:
- Prosperity & Abundance: Symbolizing food, survival, good fortune, and sustainable sustenance derived from the sea.
- Safe Passage Over Water: Acting as a protective talisman for travelers navigating rivers, lakes, and oceans.
- Tangaroa & Conservation: Honoring our spiritual and physical connection to Tangaroa (god of the sea) and the rich kaimoana (seafood) of the Manukau Harbour.
From 3D Concept to Structural Reality
Bringing a sweeping 3.6-meter metal sculpture from a digital screen to a coastal windswept reserve required meticulous planning and engineering precision:
- #1 3D Concept Design: Sculptural modeling tailored for structural wind loading and visual harmony with the harbor landscape.
- #2 Foundation & Structural Engineering: Designing secure concrete foundations and internal framing to withstand coastal weather conditions.
- #3 Precision Cutting Files: Generating exact digital blueprints for clean metal profiling and fabrication.
- #4 Installation & Community Blessing: Managing local fabrication, site assembly, specialized surface finishing, lighting, and participating in the traditional dawn blessing ceremony.
Kiwi Characters – Design for 3D printing
Project:
Cheeky Kiwi
Bobbleheads!
3D printed as a mould for production
– 3D product design from supplied sketches (well defined designs for this project) + branding + product packaging + (original) website with animated bobblehead
Project: The Cheeky Kiwi – Custom Key Chains, Bag Tags & Bobbleheads
Proudly New Zealand Made Collectibles & Souvenirs
Visit The Cheeky Kiwi Official Website
Bringing New Zealand’s iconic wildlife and culture to life with attitude, DigitalEuan partnered with The Cheeky Kiwi to deliver a comprehensive product design task. Spanning quirky character-driven bobbleheads, detailed key chains, and eye-catching bag tags, this project combined creative 3D sculpting with complete manufacturing and retail packaging design.
From Concept Sketches to Retail Packaging & Web Design
Transforming 2D character concepts into market-ready retail products required a complete end-to-end design pipeline:
- #1 3D Character Modeling & Optimization: Translating initial sketches into precise 3D assets for both bobbleheads and popular accessories like Kiwi Bag Tags, ensuring balance, durability, and distinctive New Zealand personality.
- #2 Master Molds & Production Setup: Engineering optimized digital meshes specifically for high-precision 3D printing and poly-resin casting molds.
- #3 Packaging & Retail Branding: Working with packaging printers to design cohesive, eye-catching product packaging layouts tailored for tourist and souvenir retail display.
- #4 Digital Presence & E-Commerce: Building the brand’s original website complete with custom animations, custom interactive elements, and stockist locators.
Explore the full collection, key chains, and find local stockists on The Cheeky Kiwi Range.
ABOUT DigitalEuan
Mission
Design things that last – objects, sculptures, and spaces designed with precision and installed with care.
What we’re building
DigitalEuan is my New Zealand design studio that takes ideas from rough sketch to finished installation. I design in 3D, produce fabrication-ready files (DXF, STL), manage fabrication and installation, and deliver work that holds up over decades – public sculptures, architectural screens, cultural signage, and digital experiences.
I’m working with App building for B2B use – real value through function.
Working with individuals, iwi, councils, architects, artists, and property developers who need something built correctly, not just quoted cheaply.
CONTACT
Email: info@digitaleuan.com
Where we’re headed
Aotearoa has no shortage of designers who can make something look good on a screen. DigitalEuan is the studio that closes the loop – the one that makes sure the thing on the screen is the thing that gets bolted to the ground, lit properly, and still looks right in twenty years.
A few interesting design/sculpture projects:
Ngati Te Ata
Bethells Luxury Retreat
SouthTech Week
Ngati Paoa
Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Clevedon Art Trail
Riverhaven Artland
Best Animation Spring 2022
Ngati Te Ata
Project: Ngāti Te Ata – Manukau Peninsula Cultural Dioramas & Heritage Signage
Historical & Cultural Signage Across the Awhitu & Manukau Peninsula
Explore the Interactive Diorama Map & Downloadable PDFs
Commissioned to honor local ancestral heritage and significant historical landscapes, DigitalEuan collaborated on a comprehensive graphical signage project across the Manukau Peninsula. From Te Raroa and Waimatuku to Karioitahi and Matakawau, these site-specific outdoor display panels preserve and share the deep history of Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua with visitors and the local community.
Uncovering the History of the Manukau Harbour
Each diorama installation acts as a window into the past, detailing pivotal eras of early Māori and European history:
- #1 Ancient Footsteps & Kāinga: Tracing the early journeys of Kupe—who struck Te Toka Tapu a Kupe—alongside historical settlements, defensive ridge-line pā (such as Tongaroawhata and Ngararapapa), and traditional taro gardens along the Porohau Valley.
- #2 Guardians of the Harbour: Documenting the stories of Kaiwhare, the spiritual protector of the Manukau Harbour, and the intricate network of coastal villages and waka routes.
- #3 Early European Settlement & Maritime Heritage: Recording the operational history of the 19th-century pilot boat station at the Blowhole, early timber and milling industries, and the shifting geography of local urupā.
Digital Heritage & Accessible Mapping
To extend the reach of these physical installations beyond the coastline, DigitalEuan developed a complete digital companion:
- Google Maps Integration: A browser-based map plotting these major historical sites and diorama location across the peninsula.
- Print-Ready PDF Archives: High-resolution, downloadable educational resources for each site (including Te Raroa Diorama PDF) for researchers, schools, and travelers.
Explore the full digital trail, view site locations, and download the information panels directly on the Manukau Peninsula Diorama Portal.
Bethells Luxury Retreat
Glamping Destination
Original design project for a series of laser cut panels for around an outdoor bath setting. Birds, landscape and foliage from the surrounding area was used to create a scene that was then separated into six sections.
SouthTech Week
(event) – Interactive touchscreen presentation at SouthTech Week 2018. Featuring Ngati Te Ata diorama information.
Ngati Paoa
Diorama for Ngati Paoa and Waka Te Kotuiti. Used for events to depict and translate historical information to viewers.
Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Many signage projects for the Manukau Heads Lighthouse.
Clevedon Art Trail
Graphic design and dxf creation for Clevedon Art Trail – pamphlets, signs, laser / plasma cut signs, maps – printed, online and website.
Riverhaven Artland
Design items for Riverhaven Artland – graphic, planning, maps, signs, logo, cards, pamphlets, website etc.
Best Animation Spring 2022
“The House of Seville” has won Best Animation Spring 2022 in the “Golden Nugget International Film Festival”. Awards page:
https://gniff.com/winners.html
The House of Seville.
Animation by John Calder, Euan Craig, Sabrina Miao, Arkodit Deb Burman. Writing by Bronwyn Calder. Voice talent by Maia Te Ra McGregor, Paula Wray, Arthur Toms, Michael Colonna, Toby Myers, Greg Whitcombe, Linda Whitcombe, Lynley Civil. Additional artwork by Amy Calder.
A professional, browser-based guided trail app with live GPS tracking, audio guides, multi-layer pin maps, and a full admin portal. No app store. No downloads. Works on every device – instantly.
AI Research and Development
Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects
DigitalEuan is active in AI R&D - developing various system.
Applications have won one competition and lots of AI credits but nothing too exciting just yet!
- I will attempt modern LLM/AI systems to see if an application is useful for a project but provide a human intelligence primarily - sometimes it takes longer to explain a concept or build the pipeline than it does to actually just do the job myself, AI generated media can lack the reusability of human-made material also.
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3D Design & CAD: DXF files for laser/plasma/waterjet cutting, STL files for 3D printing, 3D concept modeling & rendering.
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Sculpture & Public Art: Custom steel/aluminum sculptures, architectural screens, cultural signage & pou design.
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Digital Solutions: Custom website design, digital trail app development, branding & graphics.
Contact
Email: info@digitaleuan.com