The University of Illinois School of Art & Design is currently seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design. This full-time, tenure-track faculty position calls for candidates with expertise in a range of design areas who can teach, conduct research, and expand the scope of perspectives in the Industrial Design program. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of systems thinking in design and the ability to integrate a wide range of living entities into the design process. Additionally, they should be able to recognize the impacts of design on broader systems and contribute to the inclusive and supportive nature of the undergraduate and graduate programs. The anticipated start date for this position is August 16, 2024.
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Position Description
Job Title
Assistant/Associate Professor, Industrial Design
Location
Champaign, IL
Start Date
August 16, 2024
Responsibilities
- Teaching
- Research
- Engaging new audiences and partners
- Expanding scope of perspectives
Qualifications
- Familiarity with current and historical approaches
- Design drawing skills
- Expanding beyond traditional approaches
- Understanding of design process
- Terminal graduate degree in design, engineering, or related field
- Record of scholarly and/or professional research
- Potential for teaching effectiveness
Job Title
Assistant/Associate Professor, Industrial Design
The University of Illinois School of Art & Design in Champaign, IL is currently seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the field of design through teaching, research, and engagement with new audiences and partners. The successful candidate will be responsible for expanding the scope of perspectives in the Industrial Design program and will have a start date of August 16, 2024.
Read more about the Job you will love
Location
Champaign, IL
The position is based in Champaign, IL, a vibrant community with a rich educational and cultural environment. The city offers a thriving arts scene, a diverse population, and a supportive community that values creativity and innovation. Champaign is also home to the University of Illinois, a top-rated research institution known for its commitment to excellence and diversity.
Start Date
August 16, 2024
The selected candidate will begin their role as Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design on August 16, 2024. This start date allows for a smooth transition and ample time to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
Responsibilities
Teaching, research, engaging new audiences and partners, and expanding the scope of perspectives are the primary responsibilities of the Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design.
As a faculty member, the candidate will be expected to teach courses in Industrial Design, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes developing and delivering lectures, conducting studio sessions, and providing guidance and mentorship to students.
In addition to teaching, the candidate will also be responsible for conducting research in their area of expertise. This may include scholarly or professional research projects, collaborations with other researchers or industry partners, and participation in conferences or exhibitions.
Engaging new audiences and partners is an important aspect of the role, as it helps to expand the reach and impact of the Industrial Design program. This may involve organizing workshops, guest lectures, or other events that bring together students, faculty, industry professionals, and the wider community.
Expanding the scope of perspectives in Industrial Design is a critical goal for the program. The Assistant/Associate Professor will be expected to bring new ideas, approaches, and perspectives to the classroom, research, and engagement activities. This includes considering emerging technologies, new materials and production methods, and design for social equity and inclusivity.
Qualifications
To be considered for the Assistant/Associate Professor position in Industrial Design, candidates must possess a range of qualifications, including:
- Familiarity with current and historical approaches to designing products, devices, objects, services, and experiences
- Design drawing skills and proficiency in visual communication
- Ability to expand beyond traditional approaches and invent new methodologies and approaches
- Strong understanding of the design process and its application in various contexts
- Terminal graduate degree in design, engineering, or a related field
- Record of scholarly and/or professional research, design work, awarded competitions, publications, and/or exhibitions
- Potential for teaching effectiveness and a strong capacity to engage with contemporary design as a social, aesthetic, collaborative, and professional discipline
Candidates with a terminal degree outside of industrial design should demonstrate an understanding of the design process and have academic experience in creative disciplines with a focus on 3-D work.
Areas of Interest
The Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design will have the opportunity to explore and contribute to a wide range of areas of interest within the field. These areas include:
- Emerging technologies in design
- New materials and production
- Pluriversal design
- Speculative/futures design
- STS and Design Theory
- Entrepreneurship
- Design for health and healthcare
- Design for and with neurodiversity
- Deployability for disaster relief and community resilience
- Applied experimentation in industrial design
- Collaboration across disciplines and with community partners
- Design to reimagine inequities faced by historically marginalized communities
Candidates who have expertise or a strong interest in any of these areas are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Skills and Knowledge
In addition to the qualifications and areas of interest, the Assistant/Associate Professor in Industrial Design should also possess a range of preferred skills and knowledge. These include:
- Design aesthetics
- Iterative drawing
- 3D modeling
- 3D rendering
- 2D and 3D communication
- Experience with materials and manufacturing
- UIUX research and prototyping
- Business start-ups and marketing
- Professional experiences in design and creative industries
Candidates who possess these skills and knowledge will be well-equipped to contribute to the teaching, research, and engagement activities of the Industrial Design program.
Background
The School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois is a leading institution for art and design education. The Industrial Design programs within the School of Art & Design offer both BFA and MFA degrees, providing students with a comprehensive education in the field.
The BFA program in Industrial Design prepares students for careers in product design, UIUX design, and interaction design. The program emphasizes a balance between traditional craft and contemporary design approaches, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The MFA program in Industrial Design is highly individualized and offers a global perspective on design practice. Students in the program have the opportunity to refine their design skills, explore new methodologies, and prepare for careers in design practice, management, or higher education.
The School of Art & Design is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including staffed labs for traditional and contemporary media. These facilities enable students and faculty to engage in a range of creative and research activities, from digital imaging and printing to rapid prototyping and darkroom photography.
The University of Illinois is committed to diversity and inclusion, and this commitment extends to the School of Art & Design. The campus in Urbana-Champaign provides a supportive and inclusive environment where students and faculty from all backgrounds can thrive and contribute to the field of design.
Application Procedures & Deadline
To apply for the Assistant/Associate Professor position in Industrial Design, interested candidates must follow the application procedures outlined below:
- Applications must be submitted through the University of Illinois job portal at https://jobs.illinois.edu/.
- The application deadline is January 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm (CST).
- Interviews may begin prior to the deadline, and the review of applications will continue until suitable candidates are identified.
- Applicants must create a candidate profile and upload the following documents as a single multi-page PDF file:
- Concise detailed letter of application (2-page max.)
- Design research statement (2-page max.)
- Design teaching statement (2-page max.)
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access statement (2-page max.)
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and complete contact information for three academic references
- Portfolio of work/publications (up to 15 pieces/articles)
- Portfolio of student work (up to 15 pieces) with related course syllabi and project descriptions
All requested information must be submitted for an application to be considered. The total application content should not exceed 10 MB.
For any questions or inquiries about the position, applicants can contact Professor Lynne Dearborn, the Search Committee Chair, at dearborn@illinois.edu, or Jennifer Steiling, Senior Human Resource Associate, at steiling@uillinois.edu. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to 217-333-2137.
Thank you for considering this Assistant/Associate Professor position in Industrial Design at the University of Illinois School of Art & Design in Champaign, IL. We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming a new faculty member to our dynamic and diverse community.
