Assistant Professor, Graphic and Interactive Design

California State University, Fullerton•Fullerton, CA

1d•$82,608 - $84,264•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Art at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Graphic & Interactive Design to begin Fall 2027. This position emphasizes undergraduate teaching and student outcomes, focusing on both new and traditional design principles, sensibilities, tools, techniques, and technologies. The ideal candidate will be a teacher-scholar-practitioner whose work advances the future of Graphic & Interactive Design through creative practice, research, and student-centered learning, with a perspective towards emerging technologies. CSUF is a leading public university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success, fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. The university values teaching, research, and service, creating an environment where students, staff, and faculty can thrive. CSUF is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, committed to helping students achieve academic excellence, career success, and economic mobility. The BFA in Graphic & Interactive Design program focuses on professional skill building, student experimentation, and exploration in a diverse setting, preparing students for success in a demanding and constantly evolving industry. The candidate will be expected to teach various courses in graphic design, balancing foundational principles with emerging technologies, critical inquiry, ethical responsibility, and professional relevance. The role involves contributing to an energetic design program with a record of distinction and engaging in sustained scholarly/creative activity, teaching outcomes, and service to the department, university, and community.

Requirements

A terminal degree (MFA or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution with an emphasis in Graphic Design, Interactive Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, or equivalent area.
Evidence of strong foundational graphic design principles and practices.
Evidence of excellent technical skills and demonstrated ability to effectively integrate relevant technology into the classroom.
Evidence of rigorous and impactful student work that demonstrates strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Evidence of achievement as a graphic/interactive designer and scholar working with emerging media.
Evidence of experience working collaboratively with colleagues and communities.
Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching and commitment to teaching diverse student populations, including first-generation college students.

Nice To Haves

Evidence of a professional practice as a graphic/interactive designer or a closely related field.
Evidence of leadership, communication, organizational, and management skills as demonstrated through accomplished outreach efforts in university programs.
Demonstrated emergent media expertise in one or more of the following areas: Interaction Design, User Experience (UX/UI), Information Design and Data Visualization, Human-Centered Design, Creative Coding, Design Research, Human-AI Interaction and Machine Learning, AR/VR/XR and Spatial Computing.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate courses in Graphic & Interactive Design, ranging from introductory/foundational to advanced/interactive.
Balance foundational design principles with emerging technologies, critical inquiry, ethical responsibility, and professional relevance in teaching.
Expand course offerings into new areas of cutting-edge technological research, including data-driven design, advanced visualization, machine learning, and expressive computation for the arts and design.
Contribute to a culture that supports undergraduate and graduate research, creative activity, mentorship, and career development.
Engage in sustained scholarly/creative activity.
Fulfill teaching outcomes.
Provide service to the department, the university, and the larger community.
Supervise graduate instruction and MA/MFA theses.
Advise undergraduate students.
Serve on departmental and university-wide committees.