Art & Design: Assistant Professor in Graphic Design

About the role

The Department of Art & Design seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor candidate with experience in graphic design, teaching, and making, whose practice bridges analog and digital processes. Candidates who can demonstrate experience in typography, web development, UI/UX, and/or community-based design practices will be preferred. The department values candidates who are proactive regarding emerging tools and technologies relevant to contemporary graphic design practice. This appointment carries an initial two-year probationary appointment beginning with the 2027/2028 academic year.

Responsibilities

• Teach 3 courses (or the equivalent of 12 contact hours) per semester at all levels (Foundations to Capstone)
• Participate in research and creative or scholarly activities
• Provide academic advising to students as assigned (including internships)
• Engage in service to the department, university, and profession
• Mentor and serve the needs of all students

Requirements

• Terminal degree (e.g., MFA) in Graphic Design or a related field completed prior to start date Fall 2027
• Evidence of productive scholarly activity and/or professional design practice
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications
• Demonstrable ability to teach required and elective studio courses at all undergraduate levels to majors and non-majors

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of university-level teaching experience
• Ability to revise, enhance, and/or expand the design curriculum through expertise in any of the following: UI/UX, community-based design, critical design theory, branding identity, motion graphics, 3D modeling, animation, digital fabrication, experimental typography, and emerging technologies
• Experience in collaborative design processes
• Commitment to teaching foundations-level courses
• Willingness to engage in community-based projects and/or project-based research that connects academia and practice
• Commitment to inclusive pedagogy, accessibility, and ethical practice, including responsible integration of emerging technologies (e.g., AI)
• Ability to collaborate with other professional/academic disciplines, engaging with diverse student populations

About the Department

The Department of Art & Design consists of twelve faculty and staff. The department serves over 200 students through its majors and minor programs and also participates in General Education offerings. It offers the following programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts – Integrated Visual Arts, BA/BS in Studio Art and Graphic Communications, and Liberal Arts BA/BS in Studio Art. The department offers minors in studio art and art history. Design courses are also part of the Multimedia Communication minor. The Department houses the Ruth Foster Art Gallery, maintains a woodshop, a finishing lab, and a fabrication lab.

About UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Community

UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 9,000 students and 1,100 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools and health care facilities, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities.