About Auburn University
As a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university with “R1” Carnegie classification, Auburn University maintains high standards for externally funded innovative, transformational research.
Auburn, AL is a historic college town and one of Alabama’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas with increasingly diverse cultural and recreational opportunities. With close proximity to Birmingham, AL , Atlanta, GA, and the Gulf Coast, Auburn is an attractive place to live.
About the Graphic Design Program
Housed within the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), the Graphic Design (GDES) Program (
http://cadc.auburn.edu/graphicdesign) at Auburn University prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. Auburn’s nationally regarded B.F.A. in Graphic Design is NASAD-accredited, and the curriculum emphasizes a systemic approach to design that enables students to become versatile designers, art directors and economically viable professionals.
GDES students receive hands-on instruction in a professional studio environment that fosters a strong sense of community among students and faculty. Students establish a foundation in drawing, 2D/3D design, and typography in lower-level coursework. Foundational skills are then applied and extended in upper-level coursework experiences that include interactive design, user experience design (UI/UX), motion graphics, brand identity systems, publication design, packaging, illustration, and image-making.
The GDES program introduces students to the professional design community by hosting exhibitions, symposia, and guest lectures by industry leaders. An internship program provides students with real-world experience and networking opportunities.
Job Description Summary
The School of Industrial and Graphic Design at Auburn University invites candidates to apply for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (rank/title commensurate with credentials and experience) in the Graphic Design Program commencing August 2026.
We seek a dynamic, forward-thinking designer and educator whose research/creative scholarship and teaching explore the evolving landscape of design, with an emphasis on design innovation, emerging technologies, and curriculum evolution. This position plays a key role in shaping the future of our design program through strategic curriculum development and creative leadership.
Responsibilities
- Teach undergraduate courses in graphic design, including advanced and emerging-topic courses at an R1 University
- The typical teaching load is 9 credit hours per semester - consisting of two design studios plus participation on a senior thesis committee
- Contribute to the revision and innovation of curriculum to address future-facing design practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological integration
- Conduct scholarly, creative or professional research in design innovation, future-focused design education, or adaptive/experimental design methodologies
- Engage in school, college, and university service, including participation in committees, student reviews, and outreach initiatives
- Foster a collaborative and creatively adaptive learning environment
- Engage in Auburn University's land-grant mission
Program Highlights: Distinctively Auburn
- Opportunity to join a nationally recognized design program housed within the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) with opportunities for collaboration in interaction design, product design, service design, or design research methods.
- SIGD is housed within the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), which provides which allows for cross-disciplinary collaboration with colleagues in architecture, building science, landscape architecture, and environmental design.
- Auburn's land-grant mission allows faculty to apply design in real context. Community-based projects are encouraged to be integrated into the studio environment.
- Opportunity to shape curriculum development - shaping how future designers engage with tools, ethics, and evolving practices.
