Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
FAE1967

Advertised Title
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

Campus Location
Main Campus (Memphis, TN)

Position Number
002120

Category
Full-Time Faculty

Department
Art and Design

Position Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Art and Design at the University of Memphis invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Graphic Design. This position offers an opportunity to help shape and launch a proposed Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program. Rooted in the grit and grind spirit of Memphis, the program is designed for the future of design: where creativity meets technology and bold ideas are transformed into impactful experiences.

The proposed B.Des will cultivate students to become versatile, future-ready designers who can move seamlessly between identity, digital media, interactive experiences, and the expanding possibilities of generative and AI-assisted design.

We seek a designer who is both a maker and a mentor, an active practitioner pushing boundaries in their own work and an educator ready to equip students with the tools, resilience, and vision needed to lead in an ever-changing design landscape. The ideal candidate will help forge a studio-centered, technology-driven curriculum that champions experimentation, applied learning, and professional growth while reflecting the raw energy and creativity of Memphis.

Key Responsibilities:

1. • Teach 3 courses per semester in the Graphic Design concentration, spanning foundational through advanced studio courses, including graduate level.

2. • Integrate emerging technologies (UX/UI, generative AI, motion design, prototyping, AR and VR, creative coding) into design pedagogy.

3. • Academic advising, including mentoring students in professional development, internships, portfolio preparation, and capstone projects.

4. • Collaborate with colleagues to continually refine and innovate the curriculum, ensuring its relevance to today's rapidly evolving design landscape

5. • Maintain an active creative practice and/or scholarly research agenda that enriches both teaching and the broader field of design.

6. • Cultivate strong connections with regional and national design industries to expand opportunities for students and raise the visibility of the program

7. • Contribute to the life of the department, college, and university through service and community engagement.

8. Participate actively in department, college, and university committees and initiatives.

Incidental domestic travel such as attending a professional conference may be required for this position.

Minimum Position Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
MFA, MDes, or another appropriate terminal degree in design or a related field.
• Professional experience in communication design or related creative practice, demonstrating the ability to bridge theory and real-world application.
• Expertise in one or more emerging areas such as UX/UI, motion graphics, data visualization, generative design, or creative coding.
• A record of successful teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level, with a passion for inspiring and mentoring the next generation of designers.
• Strong portfolio of creative work, research, or professional practice that reflects innovation and impact.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools along with openness to evolving technologies.
• Ability to mentor students in career readiness, entrepreneurship, and diverse professional pathways.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration across design, technology, communication, and related fields

Special Conditions

EMPLOYER INFORMATION:
The College of Communication and Fine Arts is home to an extraordinary range of disciplines, including Architecture, Art and Design, Communication and Film, Journalism and Strategic Media, Theatre and Dance, the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, and The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM). United by a shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and innovation, the College fosters an environment where students and faculty explore new ideas, challenge conventions, and shape the cultural landscape.

Within the Department of Art and Design, students also benefit from the nationally recognized Martha and Robert Fogelman Galleries of Contemporary Art, a space that brings cutting-edge exhibitions to campus and the community. The Department is proudly accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, underscoring our dedication to excellence and future-focused education.

The Department offers dynamic degree programs that prepare students for impactful careers in the art and design, including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Master of Fine Arts in a range of studio concentrations, as well as the Master of Arts in Art History and the Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education. With approximately 400 majors, 20 full-time faculty who are active artists, designers and scholars, and dedicated staff, the Department of Art and Design combines personal mentorship with the energy of an urban serving university.

Learn more about how Memphis helps students discover, develop and share their voice through creative expression in art and design at: https://www.memphis.edu/artanddesign/ and https://www.memphis.edu/ccfa/.

Posting Date
09/19/2025

Closing Date

Open Until Screening Begins
Yes

Hiring Range
$65,000 - $68,850 per year

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time: Benefits Eligible

Special Instructions to Applicants

APPLICATION:

Applications will only be accepted through the University's portal at https://workforum.memphis.edu. Candidates must upload PDFs of all the following:
• Document 1 - Cover Letter;
• Document 2 - Curriculum Vitae;
• Document 3 - One page Teaching Philosophy/Statement on design pedagogy;
• Document 4 - One page vision for teaching in a B.Des program;
• Document 5 - One sample Syllabi;
• Document 6 - One PDF including 20 Recent Works labeled with title, date, size, medium;
• Document 7 - One PDF including 20 Student works labeled with size, medium, and project prompt;
• Document 8 - One PDF with email addresses for three professional references.

Instructions to Applicant regarding references

Is this posting for UofM employees only?
No

Benefits of Employment (Applies to full-time, non-police employees only)