Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

AIGA; Beaumont (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

Life insurance

State retirement plans

Tuition assistance for employees and 1

Paid time off – vacation, sick, andhol

Job summary

Lamar University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design in the Department of Art & Design. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses across the graphic design curriculum, including typography, brand identity, UX/UI, and portfolio development, while guiding students in foundational courses as needed.

We seek an educator-practitioner with fluency in Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac platforms and a commitment to ongoing creative or scholarly

Qualifications

• MFA, MDes, or terminal degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field.
• Ability to teach all levels of Graphic Design and select Foundation Design courses as needed.
• Evidence of ongoing creative, professional, or scholarly activity.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate graphic design courses including typography, brand identity, UX/UI, and portfolio development.
• Develop course materials, syllabi, and instructional content aligned with current industry practices.
• Assess student performance and provide feedback to support academic and professional development.
• Maintain regular office hours and provide academic advising and mentorship.

Skills

Graphic design pedagogy

Typography

UX/UI

Adobe Creative Cloud

Mac platforms

Portfolio development

Education

MFA or terminal degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communication

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Job Summary

The Department of Art & Design at Lamar University, a NASAD-accredited program committed to excellence in art and design education, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design. We seek an engaged educator and active practitioner whose work reflects contemporary graphic design across print, digital, interactive, and emerging media.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses across the curriculum, including typography, brand identity, UX/UI, and portfolio development, as well as foundation courses as needed. The ideal candidate combines a strong grounding in design fundamentals and conceptual thinking with the ability to prepare students for a rapidly evolving creative field.

We are particularly interested in candidates who situate graphic design within broader professional, technological, and disciplinary contexts, and who can guide students in developing effective, industry-relevant design solutions. The candidate should demonstrate fluency in industry-standard tools (Adobe Creative Cloud, Mac platforms), along with UX/UI prototyping tools and emerging technologies, including AI-assisted design processes.

As an R2 institution, Lamar University values faculty who maintain an active and sustainable program of creative, professional, or scholarly work. The successful candidate will contribute to a culture of teaching excellence, student mentorship, and ongoing creative activity.

Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy
• Designer or research statement
• Portfolio of professional work (PDF (9MB or less), including 20 images of representative artworks, including titles, dates, materials, and relevant details; may include a link to a website.
• Portfolio of student work (PDF (9MB or less), including 15-20 relevant examples
• Sample syllabus designed by the candidate
• Names and contact information for three references
• Unofficial transcript

Finalists may be asked to provide additional materials.

Special Note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Essential Job Functions

Teaching and Instruction

• Teach undergraduate courses in graphic design, including typography, brand identity, UX/UI, and introductory design.
• Develop course materials, syllabi, and instructional content aligned with current industry practices.
• Assess student performance and provide feedback to support academic and professional development.
• Maintain regular office hours and provide academic advising and mentorship.
  

Research and Creative Activity

• Maintain an active program of creative, scholarly, or professional work appropriate to the discipline.
• Produce exhibitions, publications, or other recognized creative outputs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and contribute to the advancement of the field.
  

Service and Program Support

• Participate in departmental, college, and university committees.
• Contribute to curriculum development and program assessment aligned with contemporary design practices.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and program growth initiatives.
• Assist with departmental events, exhibitions, and outreach activities.
  

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA, MDes, or terminal degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field.
• Ability to teach all levels of Graphic Design, and select Foundation Design courses as needed.
• Ability to teach industry-standard software, including the Adobe Creative Cloud, and knowledge of Mac-based platforms.
• Evidence of ongoing creative, professional, or scholarly activity.
• Ability to teach undergraduate courses across graphic design curriculum, including typography, brand identity, UX/UI, and portfolio development.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Working knowledge of Macintosh platforms.
• Demonstrated record or potential for ongoing creative, professional, or scholarly activity.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Two years of college-level teaching experience
• Professional practice or research in areas such as brand identity, typography, UX/UI, web, motion, or interactive design.
• Experience with web-based tools, and/or AI-assisted design workflows.
• Demonstrated potential for sustained creative or scholarly output.
• Experience mentoring students toward internships, exhibitions, and career readiness.
  

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies:

• Teach all levels of undergraduate Graphic Design and Foundation Design courses as needed.
• Mentor students in senior thesis, portfolio development, and career preparation.
• Maintain an active creative, professional, or research practice.
• Contribute to and/or lead curriculum development aligned with contemporary design practices.
• Support recruitment, retention, and program growth.
• Participate in service at the department, college, and university levels.
  

Physical Requirements:

Work is performed in a standard academic environment and requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, use a computer, and communicate effectively. May involve lifting and carrying light materials (up to 20 pounds). Visual acuity sufficient for reviewing materials and delivering instruction is required.

Job Conditions:

Work is performed in classroom, studio, and computer lab environments. Responsibilities include use of specialized art and design equipment and software. Duties may require extended periods of standing, as well as occasional evening or weekend commitments for critiques, exhibitions, recruitment activities, and departmental events.

Pay Range:

Commensurate

Who We Are:

Home to more than 18,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.

Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.

Benefits:

• Health, dental & vision insurance
• Life insurance
• State of Texas Retirement plans
• Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents
• Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays

To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits - Lamar University

Finalists for this position are subject to a criminal history background check, employment history check, and off-list reference checks. Applicants are required to sign an authorization for release of prior employment records to Lamar University. We will only contact prior employers and off-list references for finalists.

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.