Graphic Design / Visual Communications Professor, 9 Month Salaried (Open Rank) 61805

Society for Experiential Graphic Design; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent research university in Tallahassee seeks an Assistant Professor for a full-time, tenure-track position in Graphic Design and Visual Communications. The role involves innovative teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, engaging in research, and developing new courses that integrate learning objectives into the curriculum. Candidates must possess an MFA/Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in design and demonstrate expertise in digital and visual communication. The application involves submission of teaching philosophy, CV, and work portfolio.

Benefits

Opportunities for start-up research funding

Possibility of summer teaching abroad

Qualifications

• Must have teaching experience at undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
• Demonstrated competency in digital forms of visual design communication.
• Ability to conduct academic research and engage in creative scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Teach all levels of graphic design and visual communications.
• Develop new courses integrating learning goals/objectives.
• Engage in research and disseminate findings in appropriate outlets.

Skills

Teaching ability

Proficiency in digital design

Effective communication

Research capabilities

Education

MFA / Ph.D. in design or equivalent terminal degree

Tools

Design-oriented technologies

Job description

The Department of Interior Architecture & Design at Florida State University announces a faculty position with a specialized focus in Graphic Design and Visual Communications. This position is a nine-month, full-time, tenure-track assignment at the rank of Assistant Professor- 00057344, focused on teaching, research, and service.

• With support from the College of Fine Arts, this faculty line will assist in continuing to develop an integrated approach for the direction of graphic design within art and design curriculum for the college and the associated disciplines. This presents a unique and creative opportunity for a forward-thinking future candidate within a new academic initiative at Florida State University.
• The ideal candidate should be able to teach all levels of graphic design and visual communications with an ability to integrate areas of practice into our curriculum in some of the following areas: design foundations, interactive design, user experience, and user interface, emerging media design, creative computation, motion design, digital storytelling, and data visualization, current and emerging digital platforms, and innovative approaches.
• Participate in innovative teaching at the Undergraduate and Graduate level, mentor upper division undergraduate and graduate level students, advise and serve as a member of thesis committees.
• Develop new courses integrating learning goals/objectives and curriculum development within the visual arts.
• Engage in research and/or creative scholarship, successfully disseminate those endeavors in appropriate outlets, and seek external funding.
• Actively participate in academic and/or professional organizations, and departmental, College, University, state, and community service opportunities as appropriate.
• Qualified candidates must also demonstrate the ability to conduct academic research and/or engage in creative scholarship and advise students through the thesis process. FSU offers opportunities for start-up research funding and summer teaching abroad.

Qualifications

• MFA / Ph.D. (or equivalent terminal degree) in design. MS / MA degrees with professional experience will also be considered.
• Demonstrated competency and proficiency in digital forms of visual design communication.
• Demonstrated ability to use design-oriented technologies in practice, teaching, and/or scholarly work.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research and/or creative scholarship.
• Demonstrated teaching ability to communicate design concepts and graphic design fundamentals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
• Interdisciplinary teaching experience.
• Proven track record in professional practice experience.
• Demonstrated competency and proficiency in hand and hybrid forms of visual design communication.
• Participation in design professional organizations and/or possession of specialized credentials.

How to Apply

If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://hr.fsu.edu/facultyjobs. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.

Applicants are required to submit:

• Letter of interest.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (1-2 pages).
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three references.
• PDF with 10-20 examples of professional and/or student work. The PDF may include link to a website.

Confidential Letters of Reference

1) After submitting your application, click the Explore Jobs link;

2) Click the My References link;

3) Click the Send/View Reference Request button next to the appropriate position; and

4) Follow the steps on that page to send your references a system generated email requesting they submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

You may also return to the My References link and click on "Send/View Reference Request" to see if your references have responded, add additional references, or resend requests.

Information

The Department of Interior Architecture and Design is home to a vibrant and collegial work environment with thirteen full-time faculty and approximately 200 students. The program houses programs that have been continuously CIDA accredited (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) since 1975 and NASAD. The Department imparts the values of human-centered design, evidence-based design processes, and creative and critical thinking so that students positively impact human health, safety, and well-being in the experiences and spaces they create.

We are actively establishing a forward-thinking and robust interdisciplinary design program at Florida State University that meets the demands of an evolving market and prepares students to become leaders in design and visual communication. Our vision is to create a design curriculum that emphasizes both technical proficiency and conceptual innovation, equipping students with the skills to address complex visual and communication challenges across various fields. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating emerging technologies, and promoting critical design thinking, we aim to cultivate creative professionals who are adaptable, resourceful, and ready to make meaningful contributions to society. This program will not only align with FSU’s mission of academic excellence and community engagement but also serve as a hub for impactful design research and creative scholarship, building connections at local, national, and international levels. We seek faculty who are passionate about developing this sort of program, mentoring the next generation of designers, and committed to advancing the field of design through research, teaching, and service.

The Florida State University College of Fine Arts is a place where learning and creativity are nurtured through instruction, research, and practice. The College is a close-knit community of faculty, students, and professionals that functions as an art and design conservatory and liberal arts hybrid within a major research university. It is home to a unique combination of visual arts, performing art, and design studios, classrooms, performance spaces, galleries, and a museum. The current student enrollment encompasses approximately 850 undergraduate and 300 graduate students, working to become successful artists, designers, researchers, and professionals in their fields. The College comprises the School of Dance, the School of Theatre, the Department of Interior Architecture & Design, the Department of Art, the Department of Art Education, and the Department of Art History. It is supported by more than 100 full-time faculty, 50 adjunct faculty, 110 staff members, and a budget of approximately $19.3 million.

The College also houses several non-academic units, including the Museum of Fine Arts (MoFA), the Facility for Arts Research (FAR), and the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC). Many of the College’s programs rank among the most respected in the nation and feature specialized programs that leverage relationships between departments and museums to enrich the degree-based curriculum.

This position establishes graphic design and visual communication as an integral and necessary knowledge and skill area for Interior Architecture & Design students. In pursuit of its goal of facilitating collaborative design practice, the Department will also provide graphic design learning experiences through this position to qualified students in the College of Fine Arts (which includes the Departments of Art, Art Education, Art History, Interior Architecture & Design, Dance, and the School of Theatre) and the university at large. This endeavor represents the potential future initiation of a graphic design specialization for students.

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!

Learn more about our university and campuses.

FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs. Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

This is an open rank Faculty position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

This position is being advertised as open until filled and will begin August 2026.

Review of candidates will begin on February 2nd, 2026 and will continue until filled. Candidates must meet university criteria for appropriate rank.