Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, NC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas School of Art invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, starting August 2027. This is a standard nine-month, in-person faculty appointment with a workload of 40% teaching, 40% research/creative activity, and 20% service. Teaching is equivalent to a 2/2 course load in the Graphic Design BFA program, Master of Design in Communication Design, upcoming design minor, and/or the School of Art foundations program.

The position seeks a future-oriented designer and educator with practical knowledge of emerging technologies and design futures. Relevant areas include artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, extended reality, experimental design, data visualization, speculative design, and other innovative design methods. The successful candidate will bring future-thinking perspectives to teaching, creative practice, and scholarly research, including consideration of AI’s effects on visual communication, design authorship, image-making, typography, branding, interaction, publishing, and other areas of graphic-design practice.

This is not a remote position. In-person participation in classes, office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential. Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to maintain collegial working relationships are essential job duties.

The School of Art, housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, offers undergraduate degrees and tuition-free graduate programs in art education, art history, graphic design, and studio art. The Graphic Design program has 110 undergraduate students, 14 graduate students, and nine full-time faculty. It is based in the Studio + Design Center, with studio classrooms, technology and equipment labs, risograph and letterpress printers, and a Design Clinic.

Completed applications received by December 31, 2026, are assured full consideration. Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Requirements

• Terminal degree (PhD, MFA, MDes, or MGD) in Graphic Design or a closely related field such as visual communication, from an accredited institution of higher education, conferred by the first date of appointment.
• At least one academic year of university-level teaching experience as a graduate teaching assistant with classroom teaching responsibilities or as instructor of record in graphic design or a closely related field.
• Evidence of an active research agenda and/or scholarly or creative activity in emerging technologies.
• Ability to perform the position in person; this is not a remote position.
• Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of university-level teaching experience as instructor of record in graphic design or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and/or cross-campus collaborations.
• Demonstrated research trajectory related to emerging technologies such as VR/AR, artificial intelligence, or data visualization.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and coordinating a design program.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal communication as demonstrated in applicant materials.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 2/2 course load in the Graphic Design BFA program, Master of Design in Communication Design, upcoming design minor, and/or School of Art foundations program.
• Conduct research and creative activity, including an active agenda related to emerging technologies.
• Provide service as part of the faculty workload.
• Participate in person in office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings.
• Maintain regular, reliable attendance and collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• University contributions to health insurance.
• University contributions to dental insurance.
• University contributions to life insurance.
• University contributions to disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree