Assistant Professor in Art and Design

Description:

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.

Required Qualifications / Specialized Skills

• A Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Design (MDes), Master of Art and Design (MAD), Master of GraphicDesign (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.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate the relevance of design in all areas of society and within a liberal artsenvironment is an essential part of this position.
• Evidence of strong skills in inclusive design, human-centered design, and traditional graphic design
• Demonstrated background of creative engagement in design research and professional work
• Proven knowledge of contemporary design issues and design history
• Evidence of mastery in appropriate software applications for both interactive and print communications
• History of teaching industry-standard technical skills to undergraduate students.