Josh Owen
Vignelli Center Director
Josh Owen
Vignelli Center Director
Education
BA, BFA, Cornell University; MFA, Rhode Island School of Design
Bio
Josh Owen is the Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design and the Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RIT. Prior to his current role, Owen was Director of the Industrial Design Department in which he continues to teach his popular course known as the Metaproject. Owen is also the president of his eponymous design studio, Josh Owen LLC. His professional projects are produced by major manufacturers and have won many awards. Owen's work is included in the permanent design collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou (FR), the Chicago Athenaeum (USA), the Corning Museum of Glass (USA), the Denver Art Museum (USA), the Design Museum Brussels (BE), the Museum of American Jewish History (USA), the Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal (CA), the Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA) the Red Dot Design Museum (DE) and the Taiwan Design Museum (TP). His students' works have won awards, been exhibited and featured in international publications and critical venues and have been put into mass production prior to graduation. Owen's professional work has been featured in major exhibitions, numerous books on design and is regularly included in critical design discourse. He is the author of the book, Lenses for Design and the forthcoming book, Design for Study.
Currently Teaching
In the News
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December 12, 2024
Designers leave nothing on the table during the Beyond Fashion showcase
Decked out with technicolor lights and vibrant animated displays, RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios soundstage became a runway last week during Beyond Fashion. The rainbow runway featured a diverse collection of garments and wearables crafted by local designers and RIT students across multiple disciplines.
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December 10, 2024
Metaproject 15 produces innovative furniture solutions for Icon Design and ARBR Studios
Metaproject is an annual design initiative that pairs students with industry partners to develop products consistent with the Vignelli “Design is One” philosophy.” Students collaborate with new partners and the results are showcased in a global venue.
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September 25, 2024
‘Designculture’ interview with Josh Owen
Designculture talks with Josh Owen, Vignelli Center Director and Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design.
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December 9, 2024
RIT Press publishes book on the letter as a medium
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December 15, 2022
Owen receives award for guitar pedal design
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September 9, 2022
Owen’s Cube Jigger added to design museum
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July 7, 2022
Owen presents on Vignellis
Featured Work
Confluence Exhibition Catalog
Josh Owen
Roberto Bertoia explores site, context, material, and craft as it relates to his investigation of isolation, absence, and presence at the intersection of sculpture, landscape, architecture, and design...
Stryk Match Holder for OTHR
Josh Owen
A refinement of the traditional match-stick holder, this multi-faceted heirloom vessel features a striking surface as well as a safe deposit for spent matches. Historic examples of this product left...
Torq Nut Cracker for OTHR
Josh Owen
Inspired by industrial components, Torq is the first 3D printed object commissioned by OTHR that explores the mechanical potential of 3D printed output. Turning the business of nut cracking into a...