Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University seeks a full time Assistant Professor (non-tenure track) in Graphic Design. The selected candidate will join faculty colleagues who bridge the gap between research and practice across diverse fields of design that include, but are not limited to, visual communication, typography, information design, package design, environmental graphics, systems design, interaction design, motion design, social design, graphic design history, speculative design, computational systems, critical design theory, and sustainable design. Applicants who possess expertise in a complimentary field and/or industry experience are encouraged to apply. The position is a non-recurring, full-time, fixed-term academic appointment (9-month) at the rank of Assistant Professor with a teaching load of 3 courses per semester (Fall, Spring) for the academic year 2022–23 starting August 16, 2022. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply (e.g., first generation college graduates; applicants from historically minoritized backgrounds).

Required Qualifications: An MFA, MGD, MDes or equivalent terminal degree is required. Professional experience in the field of graphic design is desirable. Expertise in digital technologies for graphic design is required.

Desired Qualifications: 

The successful candidate should be committed to advancing the design disciplines through one’s practice and approach to design education. Applicants should exhibit a strong foundational understanding of formal design principles, design processes and technologies, and creative problem definition and solution skills, complemented with an application of critical theory in creative work and teaching as appropriate to a full-time teaching position at a leading research institution.

The ideal candidate will bring enthusiastic willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues in the department and college. The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) offers undergraduate degree programs in Graphic Design, Studio Art, Art History and Visual Culture, Art Education, Apparel and Textile Design, and a graduate degree program in Studio Art. We seek a faculty member who has a strong commitment to teaching in our vibrant Graphic Design Program that emphasizes a diversity of conceptual and technical practices to approximately 200 BFA in Graphic Design Majors, 125 BA in Experience Architecture Majors, and 225 Graphic Design Minors.

Required Application Materials

Qualified applicants should submit:

1. a cover letter
2. current curriculum vitae and portfolio with 20 images of your work and 20 images of student work in a single PDF
3. a statement of teaching philosophy that highlights your alignment with some of our desired qualifications, including past course experience and sample syllabi, in a single PDF
4. a summary of your experience with diversity in the classroom and/or in your past or planned research endeavors, any experience mentoring diverse students or faculty, any experience mentoring diverse students or community outreach initiatives, and an explanation of how you will advance our goals of inclusive excellence
5. the names and email addresses of 3 references.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin 04/25/2022, and continue until position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu. Posting # 770308.

For inquiries contact Chris Corneal, Chair, Search Committee (corneal@msu.edu). For more information about Graphic Design at MSU go to http://www.art.msu.edu/degrees-programs/undergraduate/majors/graphic-design/.

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.