DIA Welcomes Rowen Wagner as New Board Director
The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) has appointed Rowen Wagner as a Director to the DIA Board, confirmed at the organisation's Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, 27 November.
Wagner brings over 18 years of experience in global design leadership, currently serving as Head of Design at Melbourne-based Moose Toys, where he leads creative strategy across multiple international design studios. His appointment addresses a key gap in the DIA’s board skills matrix, particularly in ICT, AI, and emerging technologies.
“Rowen’s unique blend of industry leadership, academic engagement, and commitment to advancing Australian design aligns well with our mission,” said DIA President Ryan Russell.
Since joining Moose Toys in 2011, Wagner has managed multidisciplinary teams delivering more than 40 SKUs annually, while embedding AI and digital tools into design and development through the company’s AI Lab. He oversees a substantial global design portfolio spanning multiple product categories and markets, and has worked across studios in Australia, the USA, China, Hong Kong, and the UK.
Wagner maintains strong connections with the academic sector through ongoing collaboration with Industrial Design programs at universities across NSW and Victoria, and championing the Moose Next Gen initiative supporting emerging designers. He holds a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design from the University of Technology Sydney, graduating with First Class Honours, and served as a casual academic at UTS from 2008 to 2010. His diverse background spans work with Volkswagen, Breville, Disney, Koala, Stylecraft, and IDEO.
His design achievements have been recognised through industry awards including the 2025 Play Creator Awards Toy Designer of the Year nomination, the 2023 Australian Toy Association Product of the Year, and the 2022 TOTY Creative Toy of the Year. He remains active in Australia's creative community through design events, conferences, and industry engagement.
“Joining the DIA Board allows me to contribute to the broader design community,” Wagner said. “I’m keen to support the DIA’s mission and bring a globally informed perspective on creative practice to strengthen Australian design’s strategic capability.”
Wagner's earlier career included roles at HUB Street Equipment, working on street furniture projects for clients including Dubai City Council, and a design internship at Airdesign in Mexico developing automotive components.
His appointment comes as the Australian design industry navigates technological transformation and seeks to strengthen its voice in national policy. Wagner's experience in both creative leadership and business strategy will support DIA's ongoing advocacy and professional development initiatives.