Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas School of Art invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design beginning 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 load and may include the Graphic Design BFA program, the Master of Design in Communication Design, the upcoming design minor, and/or the School of Art foundations program.

The successful candidate will bring practical knowledge of emerging technologies and design futures, potentially including artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, extended reality, experimental design, data visualization, speculative design, and other innovative methods. The candidate will demonstrate future-thinking approaches in 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.

The position requires extensive in-person engagement, including office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings. Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to maintain collegial working relationships are essential. The Graphic Design program is based in the Studio + Design Center and has 110 undergraduate students, 14 graduate students, and 9 full-time faculty. Facilities include studio classrooms, technology and equipment labs, risograph and letterpress printers, and a Design Clinic.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. Employment is contingent on required background checks. Applicants must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on their first day of employment.

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 work in person; this is not a remote position.
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

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 virtual or augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or data visualization.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and coordinating a design program.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal communication 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.
• Maintain an active research agenda and/or scholarly and creative activity, with an emphasis on emerging technologies.
• Engage with future-thinking approaches in teaching, creative practice, and scholarly research, including examining the effects of AI on graphic-design practice.
• Participate in in-person office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings.
• Maintain regular, reliable attendance and collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and 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.
• Vibrant work environment and workplace culture that promotes healthy work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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