Assistant/Associate Professor in The Department of Art & Art History
About The Position
The Department of Art & Art History at the University of Utah invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment in Graphic Design with a specialization in Graphic Design History & Practice, commencing in Fall 2026. Appointee's core academic responsibility will be developing new curriculum that centers on the History of Graphic Design course and spearheading the integration of contemporary approaches to the subject across the Graphic Design BFA curriculum. This includes examining the ethics of design practice, the ongoing influence of technology, and expanding upon traditional "western" narratives by integrating a broader variety of regional and cultural perspectives. The faculty will also teach other required studio and/or seminar courses across all levels of the major, dependent upon their research alignments and praxis specialization. Teaching load is 2/2 per academic year. Tenure-track faculty are expected to develop and engage in an active research agenda (academic and/or creative practice). Faculty research is supported by numerous grant and career development opportunities at the university. Position requires regular service responsibilities related to administration and governance at the department, college, and university levels. Tenure-track faculty are also expected to advise MFA candidates in various art disciplines. Engagement with faculty and students from other units in the College of Fine Arts and across the institution is encouraged. With an average of 190 students, the University of Utah's 4-year Graphic Design BFA program is among the largest and most well-respected in the region, and the only one situated in the heart of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. After one year of foundational courses in communication design, typography, art, and digital media, students apply by portfolio to advance to the second year. Designed to prepare students for careers as creative professionals, the program prides itself on building a tight-knit student and faculty community, student-centered learning, and a rigorous approach to design process, research, strategy, and theory across a range of disciplines.
Requirements
- MFA in Graphic Design, MGD, MDes or equivalent terminal degree
- Demonstrate contemporary scholarship in the histories of graphic design and visual communication that goes beyond stylistic analysis to encompass the social, cultural, and political contexts of design, in dialogue with emerging discourse
- Exhibit a strong vision and record of practice in contemporary graphic design, ideally integrating research with practice
Nice To Haves
- Teaching experience beyond graduate school is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Developing new curriculum that centers on the History of Graphic Design course
- Spearheading the integration of contemporary approaches to the subject across the Graphic Design BFA curriculum
- Examining the ethics of design practice
- Integrating a broader variety of regional and cultural perspectives
- Teaching other required studio and/or seminar courses across all levels of the major
- Developing and engaging in an active research agenda (academic and/or creative practice)
- Regular service responsibilities related to administration and governance at the department, college, and university levels
- Advising MFA candidates in various art disciplines
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Educational Services
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
