Assistant Professor of Art (Graphic Design)

About the role

The Department of Art at Sam Houston State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art in Graphic Design, beginning Fall 2027. The position seeks an innovative educator whose practice bridges print, interactive, and emerging design fields, with expertise in contemporary design technologies and a willingness to integrate AI-driven tools and emerging workflows. The ideal candidate will adapt to evolving industry standards and prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing creative landscape, while maintaining a strong commitment to foundational design principles, conceptual development, and research‑based, forward‑thinking design pedagogy.

The department serves approximately 700 undergraduate majors in Graphic Design, Studio Art, Photography, and Animation and offers an MFA in Art and Social Practice. Facilities include the Dana G. Hoyt Fine Arts Building with state‑of‑the‑art lecture halls, classrooms, studios, computer labs, and galleries, plus a Satellite Gallery in downtown Huntsville and MFA studios in the Natural Science and Art Research Center. The university is located 70 miles north of Houston in Huntsville, TX, near the Sam Houston National Forest.

Responsibilities

• Teach 5 courses per year (3/2 course load).
• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
• Maintain an expectation of sustained, peer‑reviewed creative activity or scholarly research.
• Teach a range of undergraduate Graphic Design courses, including Principles of Graphic Design, Typography, Corporate Identity Design, UX/UI, Motion Graphics, and Senior Studio in Graphic Design.
• Demonstrate mastery of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Show proficiency in web development practices, Figma, and other relevant interactive design tools.
• Incorporate AI applications and emerging technologies into coursework.
• Guide students in production design using equipment such as 3D printers and die cutters.
• Develop and maintain a forward‑thinking curriculum aligned with current industry standards.
• Demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Contribute to the growth and vision of a regionally competitive Graphic Design program.
• Mentor students in career preparation, internships, and professional development.
• Build connections with design professionals, organizations, and industry partners.

Requirements

• Hold an MFA or terminal degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communications.
• Demonstrate outstanding potential in research