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The School of Design in the College of Architecture + Design at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applicants for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Graphic Design, to begin August 1, 2025. We seek an innovative, dynamic candidate with a forward-thinking approach to design education who broadens the expertise that currently exists across the Graphic Design faculty. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a creative, interdisciplinary academic community dedicated to advancing the field of graphic design. 

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Job Duties + Responsibilities   

As part of a progressive design environment, the selected candidate will hold a teaching load of two courses per semester and contribute to the continued growth and development of the undergraduate BFA curriculum. The successful candidate will demonstrate an interest in teaching across all undergraduate levels and will actively shape the curriculum to reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of graphic design today. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work intersects with emerging technologies, motion design, interaction design, and UI/UX design. With access to the resources of a major R1 university, faculty members are encouraged to pursue bold research agendas and creative practices that shape the future of design. In addition, faculty members are expected to contribute meaningfully through service at the School, College, and University levels, playing a vital role in fostering a vibrant and collaborative academic community. 

This position presents a unique opportunity for candidates eager to engage in pioneering cross-disciplinary research initiatives, fostering collaboration across design disciplines. Within both the College and the School, there exists a nurturing and collaborative atmosphere that fosters faculty development and enables designers to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and public engagement.    

About the School of Design 

The School of Design, situated within the College of Architecture + Design, encompasses a dynamic academic environment, alongside the Schools of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. Established in 2019 to house the undergraduate graphic design program’s move to a new college, it supports students through a full graphic design print production lab including a Risograph print space, opportunities for student field trips and study abroad courses, and a furnished studio space with 24/7 access. Faculty have opportunities to apply for internal research and travel funding at the levels of the School, College, and University. 

The College of Architecture and Design cultivates imagination, curiosity, and empathy as we advocate for the power of design. The College is committed to staying on the leading edge of technology and innovation. The candidate will receive a generous start-up package with access to state-of-the-art facilities including the Digital Futures Lab, an AR/VR/XR design studio and the Fab Lab, an expansive 22,000 sq ft. production facility equipped with an array of analog and digital fabrication tools. In addition to the 160,000-square-foot Art Architecture Building in the center of UT Knoxville’s campus the College will add a new downtown satellite location that will house design studios, faculty, and staff in the urban context.   

About the Area   

Known as ‘The Maker City,’ Knoxville is the third largest city in Tennessee with a metropolitan statistical area population of over 900,000 people. Downtown Knoxville supports an urban culture with theater, film, art, music, and well-recognized events and festivals like Big Ears, a vibrant live music scene across all genres, excellent restaurants, minority-heritage celebration events, farmers’ markets, and community gardens. Unique and walkable residential and business districts include Knoxville's historic Market Square and Old City, North and South Waterfronts, and the Urban Wilderness recreational area. Knoxville and the surrounding region also benefit from the energy and advocacy of civic, business, maker, cultural, religious, neighborhood, minority communities, and organizations invested in local quality of life.  

Within a fifteen-minute commute from campus, Knoxville offers a diverse range of housing from downtown lofts to homes in historic tree-lined neighborhoods. The city and county offer strong public and private K-12 educational options including public international baccalaureate, art, and science magnet programs, as well as private, religious, and Montessori schools. 

Qualifications   

The Assistant Professor of Graphic Design will be an integral member of the School of Design faculty; therefore, the candidate should exhibit the following to be considered eligible:   

Required Qualifications:   

At a minimum, applicants must provide evidence of the following:   

• Terminal degree in Graphic Design (i.e., MFA, MGD, MDes in Graphic Design) or in a related discipline, by appointment start date  
• Demonstrated commitment to a research trajectory 
• Ability to teach Graphic Design courses at the university level  

Preferred Qualifications:   

The successful candidate should:   

• Record of research or creative activity
• Ability to teach courses across the curriculum, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: motion design, interaction design, and/or UI/UX design
• Demonstrated professional experience in design practice

Application Process:   

Applications will receive fullest consideration if submitted by priority deadline of December 8, 2024. Position will remain open until filled.  

Please submit the following application materials in the form of a single PDF (no larger than 15 MB) to http://apply.interfolio.com/155042  
    

• Cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vita  
• One-page research/creative activity statement  
• One-page personal teaching philosophy  
• Complete contact information for three references  
• Portfolio of recent work (up to 20 examples) 
• Examples of recent student work (up to 20 examples)   

Questions about the position should be directed to Kimberly Mitchell (kmitch57@utk.edu), search committee chair, while questions regarding the application process and procedures should go to Administrative Specialist, Jess Parker (jpark119@utk.edu). 
    

To see what students are up to in the School of Design visit our Instagram:   

@utkschoolofdesign. For more information on the College of Architecture + Design, visit: archdesign.utk.edu   

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement   

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.   

   
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to oed@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.