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Form of workThe University of Lynchburg, a private regional university, located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia is seeking a regular full time tenure-track position in the Department of Art to begin in the 2024 -2025 academic year in the School of Visual and Performing Arts. The Assistant Professor of Graphic Design (tenure track) reports to, is supervised by, and evaluated by the SVPA Dean and Art Department Chair. The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing and will be carried out by the Chair of the Art Department. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior.
Job Purpose:
The Department of Art in the School Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Lynchburg invites applicants to apply for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor of Graphic Design beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. We seek an energetic colleague with a strong professional record and the ability to teach across the curriculum in areas of Animation, Web Design, Typography, Brand Development, Package Design, Publication Design, 3D-Printing, Motion Graphics, Typography, Design Fundamentals, Portfolio Development, and Research.
The department is looking for a candidate who has specialization in interactive and experience design as related to screen-based applications. The candidate should be able to assist the department in one or more of the following areas: print-based Graphic Design, multimedia design, Graphic Design history, and internship supervision.
The ideal candidate has familiarity with user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and data visualization, and is invested in digital typography and visual representation in the context of UX/UI practices.
The primary responsibility of a faculty member at the University of Lynchburg is to provide quality instruction for students. Assignments may include day or evening courses taught synchronously in person. Duties include teaching undergraduate levels of Graphic Design across the curriculum in a BA program, curriculum development, and advising. The ideal candidate must be skilled with and able to teach Adobe Creative Suite software on a Mac platform. Faculty must teach critical thinking and problem solving, as well as contemporary theory and concepts in art and design.
We are seeking to employ a faculty member who has a passion for teaching and learning and a strong commitment to the missions and ideals of the University. We are looking for an excellent teacher who is student-oriented in their approach and dedicated to student success. An ideal candidate will be skilled in generating student engagement in learning. Innovative teaching strategies are encouraged at the University of Lynchburg, including collaborative learning and the active use of technology. Continuous professional development is highly valued. We are looking for faculty with an enthusiastic interest in curriculum and instructional improvement through ongoing critical thinking about student learning outcomes in courses and programs.
The ideal University of Lynchburg faculty member will have strong leadership skills and an interest in active participation in college-wide activities. Excellent communication skills with students, staff, and faculty peers is essential. We are looking for a faculty member who is flexible in their work and adaptable to change. The University is committed to environmental sustainability and looks to all employees to support this important goal. The University of Lynchburg seeks faculty who embrace diversity in serving students of varied backgrounds and learning styles. Our faculty are expected to demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence as well as to teaching diverse learners and modeling inclusive practices. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Specific Job Duties:
Teach 6 studio-based classes in Graphic Design (annually), advise and mentor art students; participate in faculty critiques; support the organization and installation of an annual student art exhibition, senior thesis exhibition, high school art show, and other Gallery exhibitions; oversee and assist with an annual student arts publication; monitor and maintain art facilities and equipment; participate in portfolio reviews and assist the Department with recruiting and student retention.
Teaching load: 3/3: (rotating the following courses)
ART 125 - Design Fundamentals I
ART 154 - Introduction to Graphic Design
ART 245 - Web Design
ART 274 - Graphics II
ART 275 - Introduction to Animation
ART 285 - Type & Visual Communication
ART 374 - Graphics III
ART 407 - Portfolio Preparation
ART 408 - Graphic Design Seminar
ART 409 - Senior Capstone
Starting Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits:
Generous paid vacation, personal days, paid sick time and family leave, comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, vision, etc.) and retirement plans, flexible spending account, tuition remission, life and long-term disability insurance, and more. Learn more about employment benefits at the University of Lynchburg.
Physical Demands: (Please include - see example)
- Prolonged standing/setting/wrist movement
Ability to lift 40lbs.
Required Qualifications:
Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Arts or a related field.
Candidates must have a clear demonstration of artistic achievement, as evidenced by a current record of exhibitions and/or professional practice.
Teaching experience at the university level. (Minimum 2 years)
The candidate will have a significant portfolio of creative work with research interests in emerging areas of artistic practice and theory, and in the changing roles of technology and craft in the art world.
Exceptional writing skills and an ability to direct and assess student writing within the context of a design class
Candidates will encourage critical thinking and iterative concept development within class assignments.
Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with peers working in all programs within the Department of Art
We seek a candidate with a contemporary, experimental art practice and a desire to have a voice in curriculum development
Knowledge of current practice and theory in Graphic Design and digital media is required.
Applicants must have strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and be able to teach classes demonstrating this software.
Candidates should have an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
Preferred qualifications:
Professional client-based experience or comparable achievements in their area of expertise
Knowledge of current practice and theory in Graphic Design and digital media
Professional client-based experience or comparable achievements in their area of expertise is preferred
Knowledge of student management, motivation and evaluation techniques
Skills in interpersonal relationships, problem-solving and decision-making
Ability to relate well with students and colleagues
Applicants should demonstrate leadership and engagement within the creative community.
Applicants should display interest in recruiting new students via admissions-based events and department-specific initiatives.
Ability to evaluate student work effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to teach, mentor, and motivate students in inclusive and engaging ways
Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills are required
Working knowledge of HTML, UX/UI, and motion graphic skill sets
Ability to teach a range of beginning, intermediate, and/or advanced courses in Graphic Design (new media/digital experiences) including the following areas: animation, web design, portfolio development, brand development, 3-D printing, motion graphics, portfolio development, typography, design fundamentals, Adobe Creative Suite software, package design, and publication design
Education:
- Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Arts or a related field
University's website:
https://www.lynchburg.edu
Work Remotely:
No
We seek candidates who are committed to the University of Lynchburg's efforts to create an environment that fosters a student-centered environment, develops the breadth of knowledge associated with liberal education, respects and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, values and celebrates diverse faith traditions, and sustains close working relationships among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
Candidates must successfully pass a background check that is satisfactory to the University.
Application Procedures:
University of Lynchburg is accepting applications for a full-time tenure track appointment in art with an emphasis in teaching Graphic Design. To apply, email or send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests/ philosophy, two examples of syllabi (one introduction course, and one advanced) contact information for three references, 20 examples of the candidate's original work as PDF, Google Slides, (or URL of active portfolio site), and 20 examples of introduction and upper level student work as a PDF. Please submit as a link to a Google Drive folder.
Please provide the following items (upload all documents under resume/cover letter link - multiple documents may be uploaded)
Cover letter
Letter of application
Curriculum vitae
Statement of Research/Artist statement
Teaching Interests/Philosophy statement
A statement on their approach to inclusive curriculum and diversity in higher education
Two examples of syllabi (one introduction course, and one advanced)
20 examples of Candidate's original work as PDF, Google Slides, (or URL of active portfolio site)
20 examples of introduction and upper-level student work as a PDF, Google Slide, or Google Drive
Three References, including emails and phone numbers
The University of Lynchburg is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from persons of color, women, Indigenous/aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University of Lynchburg community.
The University of Lynchburg is an equal opportunity employer.
