California Polytechnic University’s Art and Design Department is currently seeking an Assistant Professor in Art and Design who specializes in Graphic Design. This full-time, tenure track position will begin on September 11, 2024. The university is looking for a designer-educator who has a proven expertise in inclusive and equity-minded teaching, specifically in the fields of design and technology. The ideal candidate should be passionate about teaching in an undergraduate, student-centered educational environment. Their teaching responsibilities will include a range of graphic design courses, from introductory to advanced levels, with a focus on various aspects of visual communication. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to curriculum development and participate in cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues. Overall, the Department of Art and Design is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students and faculty members.
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Job Description
The Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position at California Polytechnic University is a full-time, academic year, tenure track position starting on September 11, 2024. The position falls under the College of Liberal Arts and offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The department is seeking a designer-educator with expertise in inclusive and equity-minded teaching, who is passionate about teaching in an undergraduate, student-centered educational environment.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position include teaching graphic design courses from introductory to advanced levels. The focus of the courses is to develop visual communication knowledge and skills, such as branding/advertising, interactive experiences, digital products and packaging, signage/wayfinding, and motion design. The courses may cover various topics within graphic design, such as interaction design, typography, advertising, package design, motion graphics, illustration, and design history. The successful candidate will also be expected to incorporate concepts of equitable, inclusive, and accessible design into all design courses, and further enhance and develop this focus in the curriculum through course design and new course proposals.
Additionally, the Assistant Professor will participate in curriculum development, engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues, mentor and supervise student-related activities and organizations, contribute to departmental recruiting efforts, and serve on committees within the department, college, and university.
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Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position include holding a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Design (MDes), Master of Art and Design (MAD), Master of Graphic Design (MGraph), or equivalent advanced degree in graphic/visual communication design by the time of appointment. The candidate must possess strong evidence of professional work and technical ability, as well as demonstrate DEI-focused scholarship, creative practice, and teaching. Experience working with underrepresented students and communities of color in research, teaching, service, advising, and mentoring is required. The candidate should also have the ability to clearly communicate the relevance of design in all areas of society within a liberal arts environment. A strong background in inclusive design, human-centered design, and traditional graphic design is essential, along with knowledge of contemporary design issues and design history. Proficiency in industry-standard software applications for interactive and print communications is necessary, as well as experience teaching technical skills to undergraduate students.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred qualifications for the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position include having two or more years of college-level teaching experience in graphic/visual communication design and industry experience. The ability to bridge areas of design, such as visual identity, publication, environmental and interaction design, motion and animation, advertising and branding, and data visualization is highly regarded. Interest in cross-disciplinary collaborations and connections is also desired.
Department Overview
The Art and Design Department at California Polytechnic University offers a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. The department provides a balanced experience in the arts, including 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D studio art, art history, graphic design, interaction design, photography and video, critical theory, and general education in liberal arts. The department’s BFA program is NASAD-accredited, and it offers concentrations in graphic design, photography/video, and studio art.
Expectations and Commitment
The Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position entails active participation in cross-disciplinary dialogue, mentorship and supervision of student-related activities, departmental recruiting efforts, and committee service within the department, college, and university. The position also requires a commitment to the teacher-scholar model, where the faculty member develops and sustains an active program of scholarship and/or creative activity at a national/international level. Teaching excellence is highly valued, and the successful candidate should demonstrate a commitment to or potential for teaching excellence.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position is anticipated to be $79,500 – $85,000 per year. The specific salary offered will be commensurate with the education and experience of the candidate. In addition to a competitive salary, the position offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include healthcare, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
California Polytechnic University is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the College of Liberal Arts and the university as a whole. The department values diversity in complex and intersecting identities and aims to maintain a socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive environment. The successful applicant should demonstrate a clear commitment to and infusion of these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to provide examples of how they would incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their teaching and scholarly work. The ability to effectively collaborate with students, staff, and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those with different abilities, is essential.
Teacher-Scholar Model
At California Polytechnic University, the teacher-scholar model is emphasized. The Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position requires the development and maintenance of an active program of scholarship and/or creative activity at a national/international level. Alongside scholarship, a commitment to teaching excellence is also expected.
Work with Diverse Population
The successful candidate must have the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds. This includes fostering effective collaboration with individuals from different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those with different abilities. It is important to adopt an inclusive approach to teaching and mentoring, ensuring that all students feel supported and valued.
Teaching Load and Initial Appointment
The typical teaching load for the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position is 12 units (three courses) per quarter. In the first two years, there may be a reduction in the course load to facilitate a smooth transition and positive start to the professional career at California Polytechnic University. The initial appointment is for two years and subject to renewal.
Application Details
The projected start date for the Assistant Professor in Art and Design – Graphic Design position is September 11, 2024. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023. Applicants who submit their complete files by the review begin date will receive full consideration. For further information or inquiries about this position, please contact Charmaine Martinez at cmarti11@calpoly.edu.
