Assistant Professor in Animation

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design•Lakewood, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is seeking a Full-Time Professor with expertise in Real-Time Animation to join the Digital Arts + Media Department. This role involves collaboration with the Department Chair and Program Leads, focusing on teaching, curriculum development, and student success. The department offers degree programs emphasizing industry-aligned practices, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in real-time animation, technical animation, virtual production, and/or integrating Unreal Engine with traditional 3D and 2D asset development. Traditional animation skills are also highly valued. This position supports the design, development, and delivery of dynamic curricula to prepare students for leadership in the digital landscape.

Requirements

A graduate degree (MA, MS, MFA, MDes, or equivalent) in Animation, Game Art, Game Design, relevant Motion Graphics, OR a bachelor’s degree with a sustained record of professional or studio-based work in these areas.
Proficiency using and teaching industry-leading 2D + 3D Animation software, such as Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, etc.
Examples of pedagogical approaches that align with the institution's mission and values, along with evidence of effective and inclusive teaching that values a diverse student body.

Nice To Haves

A terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in Art, Design or a related discipline OR equivalent professional distinction recognized at a national or international level.
2 years of teaching experience in an accredited postsecondary institution with proven expertise in teaching Animation, Game Design, or related digital media.
A sustained record of professional or studio-based work in Animation, Game Design, or related digital media, demonstrated through published short/feature films, games, series work, studio credits, freelance projects, portfolio, and/or client-based productions.
Ongoing engagement with contemporary, emerging industry practices and pipelines with demonstrated expertise in 3D and 2D animation production workflows. This includes character animation, scene development, and rigging/puppetry in Toon Boom Harmony, as well as 3D animation workflows in Autodesk Maya.
Experience with storyboarding, motion graphics, or visual development pipelines is also valued.
Professional experience with visual development, including color, lighting, composition, and aesthetic design to support storytelling and animation production pipelines.
Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary animation production, relevant software, industry and independent workflows, with a demonstrated ability to integrate real-time technology.
Candidates should demonstrate expertise in animation fundamentals, time-based storytelling, 2D or 3D character building, real-time animation software.
Motivation to stay current with emerging technologies, including AI-driven workflows.
Ability to teach and mentor students from a broad range of life experiences and educational paths.
Demonstrated commitment to serving and respecting all students, staff, and faculty.
Broad knowledge of the history of art, contemporary art and design.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills across multiple teaching modalities.
Ability to work autonomously, taking initiative on tasks, and meeting deadlines.
Outwardly contribute to a respectful, positive, and professional workspace.
Interest in emerging trends and technologies in design education and practice.

Responsibilities

Teach a full instructional load as defined by RMCAD and commensurate with rank.
Hold regular office hours.
Advise students.
Participate in and contribute to the development of co-curricular activities.
Provide instruction and student engagement across both on-campus and online modalities.
Regularly give feedback and critiques using a combination of in-person and/or online written and video formats.
Teach courses in the Animation and Game Arts Programs, reflecting the faculty member’s range of expertise, including but not limited to: Fundamentals of Animated Storytelling; Storyboarding; 2D and 3D Animation Sequences; Character Creation; Worldbuilding; Environment Creation; 3D Modeling; Rigging; Animation Pipelines; Senior Project Sequence.
Maintain a high standard of teaching effectiveness as evident by student evaluations, retention, and other pedagogical metrics.
Support the Institutional Mission, Vision, and Values, and the Department Mission.
Participate in institutional and Academic Division committees, program reviews, academic assessment, curriculum revision, and/or course development as needed.
Attend college events, meetings, and training sessions as determined by the Academic leadership and/or the Department Chair.
Engage with community organizations and associations that further and promote RMCAD.
Maintain a practice of scholarship, professional achievement, and ongoing professional/creative research.
Contribute discipline-based, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary scholarship that advances knowledge and learning by producing new ideas and understandings (examples can include but are not limited to peer-reviewed articles, guest speaker events and presentations).
Produce and exhibit creative works.
Grow personal knowledge and skills within the fields of Animation and related practices, including maintaining currency with new and essential software.
Continued investment in pedagogical and curricular best practices.
Professional research which seeks to grow personal skills and expand creative practice.