Assistant Teaching Professor of Visual Communication Design

The Department of Design at the University of Kansas is seeking a faculty member at the Assistant Teaching Professor level to teach undergraduate and graduate students in its Visual Communication Design and MDES programs and help develop new curricular offerings in Experiential Graphic Design (XGD).

We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging design thinker, maker, and educator with a passion for connecting people to place through visual communication in the built environment. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty to strengthen the program's integration of typography, information design, identity systems, interaction, and spatial experience. Candidates with experience in teaching, curriculum development, collaborative practice, and robust professional work will stand out. We also encourage recent terminal-degree graduates eager to launch a career in design education and education- and mentorship-minded industry professionals to apply.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate professional-level skills in visual communication design and experiential graphic design, supported by a strong foundation in typography, visual systems, information design, branding, human-centered research, accessibility, and production. They should be able to guide students from research and concept development through prototyping, fabrication, implementation, and evaluation.

Candidates should also have a strong understanding of industry-standard tools, materials, production methods, and current professional practice, along with the ability to collaborate across graphic design, architecture, interior design, industrial design, interaction design, and related disciplines.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the following areas: wayfinding systems, including signs, maps, directories, and directional cues that help people move safely and intuitively through complex public environments; branded environments that translate organizational identity and culture into spatial graphics and architectural settings; and exhibitions and placemaking, including interpretive panels, interactive displays, public art, and installations that transform spaces into engaging physical stories. Additional strengths may include environmental graphics, mapping and information systems, inclusive and universal design, digital and interactive experiences, 3D visualization, fabrication, project management, and collaboration with clients, communities, architects, fabricators, and allied professionals.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate, and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.  This is a non-tenure position with up to a 3-year limited term contract, which has the possibility of renewal based upon a comprehensive evaluation.