Minimum Qualifications:

• MFA in Design /Graphic Design/ Visual Communications or a terminal degree in design or design related field from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated competency in working with most, if not all, of the following: motion design / animation, typography, layout design, design thinking, and design foundations.

• Knowledge of the history of design and related fields.

• Broad-based expertise in contemporary issues and practices in graphic design for diverse formats.

• Fluency in the tools, technologies, and software of contemporary design production and instruction. (Examples: Abode Creative Suite, Figma … ).

• Evidence of collaboration skills, multidisciplinary activities and maintaining professional relationships outside of the university.

• Demonstrated potential for active university service.

• Evidence of teaching design and or design related courses through examples of student work.

• Excellent interpersonal skills as evidenced through professional recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An established creative practice and/or training with a national and/or international record of exhibition or performance.

• Ability to demonstrate, through their teaching philosophy or record, an ability to mentor undergraduate and/or graduate students to foster collaboration, experimentation, and innovation across departments.

• Experience in teaching courses, as an instructor of record, in design, at an accredited institution of higher learning.

• Evidence of skills as a designer working with motion design, Animation or other linear narrative formats.

• Outstanding conceptual thinking and design skills as evidenced through personal and or professional work.

• Academic, research and/or professional experiences with underserved populations.

• Evidence of integrating issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion into design classes.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy application materials are not considered. Please attach the following.:

• A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service that informs a collaborative and community-engaged approach to design education.

• Teaching Philosophy

• Current CV

• A list of three current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicant’s approval)-

• Portfolio of up to twenty works representing your creative/scholarly works.

• Examples of student work in classes the applicant has taught.

• Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned.

Examples of web/video/animation/motion graphics must be listed as hyperlinks within the PDF file and link to portfolio web sites or video sharing sites such as Vimeo, or personal website. Do not upload motion graphics files. For personal work, state the title, media, and date. For student work, provide course title, media, date, and assignment description.

The anticipated starting date is August, 2024.

For questions or additional information, please contact Ron Laboray, Director, of the School of Art and Design, via email: relaboray@email.wcu.edu, or John Seefeldt, Graphic Design search committee chair, via email: jseefeldt@wcu.edu.