Assistant Professor - Graphic Design

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The Department of Art and Design at Utah State University invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in graphic design, beginning in Fall 2027. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in one or more areas that may include advanced typography, brand systems, design history, and UI/UX, along with broad fluency in the cultural, historical, and theoretical frameworks shaping contemporary graphic design. The department is particularly interested in candidates with a current perspective on industry practice and an understanding of the discipline’s expanding boundaries. Candidates who engage emerging technologies in relation to typographic practice are especially encouraged to apply. Primary teaching responsibilities may include advanced typography, brand identity, design history, and advanced studio courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. The professor will advise BFA and MFA students, contribute to curriculum and program development, maintain an active creative research practice, and participate in departmental, college, and university service. The role also involves engagement with the broader design community through professional organizations, conferences, and community partnerships.

Requirements

MFA in Graphic Design or a terminal degree in a closely related discipline by the appointment start date.
Contemporary professional industry experience in graphic design.
A strong, current portfolio demonstrating breadth of practice.
Expertise in one or more of the following: advanced or experimental typography; editorial and publication design; brand identity and visual systems; experimental image-making and visual process.
Awareness of contemporary theoretical and cultural concerns within graphic design.
Proficiency in current industry-standard design tools.
Openness to emerging technologies and workflows.

Nice To Haves

College-level teaching experience.
Demonstrated engagement with the historical and critical discourse of graphic design.
Experience with interactive, computational, or screen-based design as it intersects with typography.
Professional recognition, publication, or exhibition at a regional or national level.
Engagement with emerging technologies in relation to typographic practice.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate graphic design courses, with emphasis on advanced typography, brand systems, and design history.
Advise and mentor BFA and MFA students in developing their design practices and professional careers.
Maintain an active, evolving creative research practice, with outcomes such as industry engagement, exhibitions, scholarly research, or national industry recognition.
Contribute to curriculum development and program planning in the Graphic Design area.
Participate in departmental, college, and university service, including recruitment, NASAD accreditation, and committee work.
Engage with the broader design community through professional organizations, conferences, and/or community partnerships.
Potentially teach advanced typography, brand identity, design history, and advanced studio courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Contribute to graduate thesis advising.