Owen Foster

Owen Foster is an Associate Chair and Professor of Industrial Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), holding these roles since Fall 2023. He previously served as Department Chair of Industrial Design at SCAD from 2010 to 2016. His academic career includes adjunct professorships at Georgia Institute of Technology and visiting professorships at Auburn University. He is also a founder of the Fostr Collective (2021–present) and co-founder of Aether Global Learning and SHiFT Design, among other ventures.

• Education: M.I.D. in Industrial Design, and dual B.S. degrees in Environmental Design and Horticulture, all from Auburn University.

His research interests span industrial product design, sustainable design practices, educational innovation in design pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has led initiatives in design leadership and curriculum development.

• Awards: Highlighted include Alabama Design 200 recognition (2019), IDSA Educator of the Year (2015), and IDEA Awards jury roles (2015–2017).

Foster’s professional affiliations include the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), World Design Organization, and Alabama Arts Alliance. He has directed programs such as the MIEC initiative at Morehouse College and led innovation initiatives at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.