UCDA : connecting, inspiring, and supporting a creative community in education

Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, Graphic Design - Fall 2025

Job Information

  • Overview:

    The design program within UMBC’s Department of Visual Arts seeks to recruit an innovative and versatile design educator with a broad range of contemporary practices in digital design including: visual design, UX/UI for Web or App design, and a commitment to the professional practice of graphic design for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor.

    This position requires a deep interest and expertise in contemporary issues within the discipline, coupled with an ability to adapt to technological and philosophical shifts in the design industry. Along with a shared enthusiasm surrounding all things design, our new colleague should possess strong foundations in typography, aesthetics, and their application across multiple reading environments and media.

    Our department seeks individuals with a solid record of research and/or industry experience in screen-based visual communication: areas of focus include mobile design, interactive design, motion graphics, web design, or hybrid/immersive reality technologies and applications. Demonstrated proficiency with the tools and technologies used in these areas is essential and will be assessed through interview questions and review of a portfolio of the applicant’s professional work, research, student work samples.

    The graphic design program is a growth area with robust enrollment in the Visual Arts department and this position will join four faculty members in the graphic design area. We welcome applicants with innovative and creative approaches to design practice—individuals who will bring exciting new ideas and skills to our students and elevate the academic excellence of the Department of Visual Arts. Candidates will be selected based upon the strength and breadth of their creative work, research and/or teaching experience, and their dedication to building a diverse, socially inclusive, and welcoming academic environment for our students.

    The design program in the Department of Visual Arts offers a BFA in Design. We also offer an MFA in Intermedia and Digital Arts, and Visual Arts faculty are encouraged to work and serve within the graduate program as well.

    Duties:

    • Teach two classes per semester within the design program’s schedule of classes
      at all undergraduate levels
    • Participate with committees at department, college and university levels;
    • Advise design students on curriculum and pathways to graduation;
    • Supervise undergraduate independent studies;
    • Write and/or revise undergraduate curricula;
    • Broaden links to local, regional and national communities within their area of expertise in order to promote and further student success.
    • Engage with current undergraduate/graduate students and alumni to build the design program community.
    • The successful candidate is expected to remain active in the research, professional work, or other forms of creative scholarship in their respective fields. As a top-tier research institution (R1), UMBC offers many funding and mentorship opportunities to extend and explore new directions in scholarly and creative practice.
  • URL: http://apply.interfolio.com/155394
  • Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Job Requirements

  • Job Description:

    Successful candidates must possess:

    Terminal degree in Graphic Design, Digital Design or related visual communications field;

    Knowledge of contemporary issues and emerging platforms in screen-based visual communication;

    3-5 years of prior college level teaching with experience in digital design/digital media courses;

    Thorough knowledge of industry standard software; Fluency in Mac and PC operating systems;

    Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, and a collaborative approach to working with students and colleagues;

    Commitment to inclusive pedagogies, issues related to conscious and unconscious bias in design, and/or accessible design;

    Beneficial/Useful Qualifications:

    Theories and tools of web and mobile design;

    Human-centered / UX/UI design;

    Interactive or motion design;

    Service design or community engagement;

    Data visualization;

    Speculative technologies such as VR, AR or AI;

    Experience in, or commitment to, fostering inclusive excellence and diversity in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences or service.

    Experience in using technology to enhance instruction, manage classroom administrative tasks and communicate effectively with the campus community.

  • Education Required:

    Terminal degree in Graphic Design, Digital Design or related visual communications field;

Company Information

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    1000 Hilltop Circle
    Baltimore Maryland 21250

Contact Information

  • Ellen Feldman
    Phone: (410) 455-2150

    http://art.umbc.edu/
  • Contact Method:

    Application
    To apply for the position, please submit the following to Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/155394.

    Your application packet should include:

    A statement about your experience in, or commitment to, fostering inclusive excellence and diversity in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences or service (3 pages maximum).

    A cover letter of application explaining your qualifications for, and interest in, the position, including discussion of your most significant research/creative/professional, teaching;

    A curriculum vitae (CV) or professional resume;

    A link to or pdf of a portfolio of recent design work and student work (if applicable) (10 samples max for each)

    Contact information for three references (letters will be requested only for finalists)

    Questions about the application process and Interfolio may be directed to Ellen Feldman at ellenf1@umbc.edu. Questions about the position itself may be directed to search committee co-chair Prof. Kelley Bell at gdsearch@umbc.edu.