Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

Creative Heads, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee invites applications for the role of Assistant Professor in Graphic Design. This position offers a dynamic opportunity to teach, mentor students, and advance innovative design education within a collaborative academic community. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research and the opportunity to influence the curriculum are key aspects of this role.

Benefits

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Opportunities for research funding

Nurturing academic environment

Qualifications

• Evidence of a research trajectory.
• Ability to teach graphic design courses at university level.
• Expertise in motion design, interaction design, or UI/UX is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach two courses per semester.
• Shape and develop the undergraduate BFA curriculum.
• Engage in research and creative practices.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Curriculum Development

Motion Design

Interaction Design

UI/UX Design

Creative Practice

Education

Terminal degree in Graphic Design (MFA, MGD, MDes)

Job description

The School of Design in the College of Architecture + Design at the University ofTennessee, Knoxville invites applicants for a full-time tenure-track AssistantProfessor position in Graphic Design, to begin August 1, 2025. We seek an innovative,dynamic candidate with a forward-thinking approach to design education whobroadens the expertise that currently exists across the Graphic Design faculty.This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a creative,interdisciplinary academic community dedicated to advancing the field ofgraphic design.

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Job Duties +Responsibilities

As part of a progressive design environment, the selected candidate will hold ateaching load of two courses per semester and contribute to the continuedgrowth and development of the undergraduate BFA curriculum. The successfulcandidate will demonstrate an interest in teaching across all undergraduatelevels and will actively shape the curriculum to reflect the dynamic andmultifaceted nature of graphic design today. We are particularly interested incandidates whose work intersects with emerging technologies, motion design,interaction design, and UI/UX design. With access to the resources of a majorR1 university, faculty members are encouraged to pursue bold research agendasand creative practices that shape the future of design. In addition, faculty membersare expected to contribute meaningfully through service at the School, College,and University levels, playing a vital role in fostering a vibrant andcollaborative academic community.

This position presents a unique opportunity for candidates eager to engage inpioneering cross-disciplinary research initiatives, fostering collaborationacross design disciplines. Within both the College and the School, there existsa nurturing and collaborative atmosphere that fosters faculty development andenables designers to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and publicengagement.

About the School of Design

The School of Design, situated within the College of Architecture + Design,encompasses a dynamic academic environment, alongside the Schools ofArchitecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. Established in2019 to house the undergraduate graphic design program’s move to a new college,it supports students through a full graphic design print production labincluding a Risograph print space, opportunities for student field trips andstudy abroad courses, and a furnished studio space with 24/7 access. Facultyhave opportunities to apply for internal research and travel funding at thelevels of the School, College, and University.

The College of Architecture and Design cultivates imagination, curiosity, andempathy as we advocate for the power of design. The College is committed tostaying on the leading edge of technology and innovation. The candidate willreceive a generous start-up package with access to state-of-the-art facilitiesincluding theDigitalFutures Lab , an AR/VR/XR design studio and the Fab Lab , an expansive 22,000 sqft. production facility equipped with an array of analog and digitalfabrication tools. In addition to the 160,000-square-foot Art ArchitectureBuilding in the center of UT Knoxville’s campus the College will add a newdowntown satellite location that will house design studios, faculty, and staffin the urban context.

About the Area

Known as ‘The Maker City,’ Knoxville is the third largest city in Tennessee with ametropolitan statistical area population of over 900,000 people. DowntownKnoxville supports an urban culture with theater, film, art, music, andwell-recognized events and festivals like Big Ears, a vibrant live music sceneacross all genres, excellent restaurants, minority-heritage celebration events,farmers’ markets, and community gardens. Unique and walkable residential andbusiness districts include Knoxville's historic Market Square and Old City,North and South Waterfronts, and the Urban Wilderness recreational area.Knoxville and the surrounding region also benefit from the energy and advocacyof civic, business, maker, cultural, religious, neighborhood, minority communities,and organizations invested in local quality of life.

Within a fifteen-minute commute from campus, Knoxville offers a diverse range ofhousing from downtown lofts to homes in historic tree-lined neighborhoods. Thecity and county offer strong public and private K-12 educational optionsincluding public international baccalaureate, art, and science magnet programs,as well as private, religious, and Montessori schools.

Qualifications

The Assistant Professor of Graphic Design will be an integral member of the Schoolof Design faculty; therefore, the candidate should exhibit the following to beconsidered eligible:

Required Qualifications:

At a minimum, applicants must provide evidence of thefollowing:

• Terminal degree in GraphicDesign (i.e., MFA, MGD, MDes in Graphic Design) or ina related discipline, by appointment start date
• Demonstrated commitment toa research trajectory
• Ability to teach GraphicDesign courses at the university level

Preferred Qualifications:

The successful candidate should:

• Record of research orcreative activity
• Ability to teach coursesacross the curriculum, including introductory, intermediate, and advancedlevels
• Expertise in one or moreof the following areas: motion design, interaction design, and/or UI/UX design
• Demonstrated professionalexperience in design practice

Application Process:

Applications will receive fullest consideration if submitted by priority deadline of December8, 2024. Position will remain open until filled.

• Cover letter describingyour qualifications and interest in the position
• One-page research/creativeactivity statement
• One-page personal teachingphilosophy
• Complete contactinformation for three references
• Portfolio of recent work(up to 20 examples)
• Examples of recent studentwork (up to 20 examples)

Questions about the position should be directed to Kimberly Mitchell,search committee chair, while questions regarding the application process andprocedures should go to Administrative Specialist, Jess Parker.

To see what students are up to in the School of Design visit ourInstagram:

@utkschoolofdesign.For more information on the College of Architecture + Design, visit:archdesign.utk.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment andadmission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex,pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physicalor mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status,or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordancewith the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX ofthe Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University ofTennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policyextends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should bedirected to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to [e-mail] ,or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI(race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability),the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexualorientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office ofInvestigation and Resolution, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, byemail to [e-mail] ,or by phone at 865-974-0717.

• Primary Job Duty: Teaching, Graphic Design
• Secondary Job Duties: Motion Design, interaction design , Research