ART AND DESIGN ‐ Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, full‐time, academic year, tenure track position beginning September 14, 2023, in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Department of Art and Design at Cal Poly is seeking a designer‐educator with demonstrated expertise in inclusive and equity-minded teaching, who is enthusiastic about teaching in an undergraduate, student-centered educational environment. The ideal candidate should demonstrate an area of focus related to DEI (including accessibility practices) in the fields of design/technology such as: culturally sensitive design, bias in design, identity research, gender equity practice, and/or design activism. Teaching responsibilities will include graphic design courses from introductory to advanced, with a focus on developing visual communication knowledge and skills such as branding/advertising, interactive experiences, digital products and packaging, signage/wayfinding, and motion design. Classes may include, but are not limited to: all levels of graphic design, interaction design, and typography; advertising; package design; motion graphics; illustration; and design history. Concepts of equitable, inclusive, and accessible design are built into all design courses; the successful candidate will continue to enhance and develop this DEI focus in the curriculum through course design and new course proposals. The Art and Design Department offers a NASAD-accredited BFA in Art and Design with concentrations in graphic design, photography/video, and studio art. All faculty are expected to participate in the following: curriculum development, cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues, mentorship and supervision of student-related activities and organizations, departmental recruiting, and committee service within the department, college, and university.
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.
Cal Poly is committed to the teacher-scholar model. All faculty members are expected to develop and sustain an active program of scholarship and/or creative activity at a national/international level as well as demonstrate a commitment to, or potential for teaching excellence. The College of Liberal Arts is committed to enhancing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the campus community and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to this goal in their teaching and scholarly work are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths and experiences in these areas. The successful candidate must have the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those with different abilities.
The typical teaching load is 12 units (three courses) per quarter with a reduction in course load in each of their first two years to facilitate a smooth transition to Cal Poly and a positive start to their professional career. Cal Poly is undergoing a conversion to semesters scheduled for completion by fall 2025. Initial appointment is for two years, subject to renewal.
Required Qualifications / Specialized Skills
- 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 is required by the time of appointment
- Strong evidence of professional work and technical ability
- DEI-focused scholarship, creative practice, and teaching
- Demonstrated experience working with underrepresented students and communities of color in research, teaching, service, advising, and mentoring.
- Ability to communicate the relevance of design in all areas of society and within a liberal arts environment is an essential part of this position.
- Possess strong skills in inclusive design, human-centered design, and traditional graphic design
- Creative engagement in design research and professional work
- Knowledge of contemporary design issues and design history
- Mastery of appropriate software applications for both interactive and print communications
- Ability to teach industry-standard technical skills to undergraduate students.
Preferred Qualifications / Skills
- Two or more years of college level teaching experience in graphic/visual communication design is preferred.
- Industry experience is strongly desirable.
- 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, strong ties to the professional design industry, and college teaching beyond graduate assistantship are preferred.
Anticipated hiring date: September 14, 2023
How to apply
To apply, please visit: http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #520012. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:
(1) a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
(2) current resume/curriculum vitae
(3) a statement of diversity and inclusion describing how you would demonstrate a commitment in these areas as an instructor at Cal Poly and how you would create an inclusive learning environment
(4) unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned (official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment)
(5) teaching philosophy
(6) sample syllabi and teaching materials with project descriptions and curriculum development
(7) candidate’s professional portfolio and examples of recent student work.
For the portfolio: provide images of current creative work (maximum of 20 pages) and images of student work, if applicable (maximum of 20 pages). These documents must be submitted as a single PDF file, no larger than 150mb (provide links to online content within the PDF when necessary). Candidate may also submit a link to a portfolio website.
Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Review of applications begins February 1st, 2023, and continues until position is filled.
