Professor of Practice, Graphic Design Program

Overview

The School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) at Auburn University invites candidates to apply for a Professor of Practice position in Graphic Design. This is a nine-month, non-tenure track, full-time teaching faculty position commencing in January 2027 with an initial two-year term. The position may be renewed annually by mutual agreement based on the availability of funds, the need for services, and satisfactory performance.

The Graphic Design (GDES) Program at Auburn University prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. Auburn’s nationally regarded B.F.A. in Graphic Design is NASAD accredited, and the curriculum emphasizes a systemic approach to design that enables students to become versatile designers, art directors and economically viable professionals. GDES students receive hands‑on instruction in a professional studio environment that fosters a strong sense of community among students and faculty.

Students establish a foundation in drawing, 2D/3D design, and typography in lower‑level coursework. Foundational skills are then applied and extended in upper‑level coursework experiences that include interactive design, user experience design, strategic branding, publication design, packaging, illustration, and image‑making. The GDES program introduces students to the professional design community by hosting exhibitions, symposia, and guest lectures by industry leaders.

Established in 1856, Auburn University is listed as a top‑tier Carnegie R1 institution and is one of the few land, sea, and space grant institutions in the nation. With a Fall 2025 enrollment of 35,172, Auburn students represent all fifty states in the U.S. and more than 100 foreign countries. The surrounding town of Auburn, Alabama boasts a wide range of public amenities, a highly‑ranked public school system, and has been rated among the "Top 100 Best Places to Live in America" by Money magazine in 2019 and one of the "10 Best Small College Towns in America" by the Huffington Post in 2025.

World Report also ranked Auburn as one of the top 50 public universities in the nation, as well as the top university in the state. Auburn is conveniently located along Interstate 85, 90 minutes from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport with Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Shores beaches less than four hours away. Auburn University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes BCBS health insurance, retirement plans, as well as 50-percent undergraduate tuition waiver for spouses and dependents.

The primary responsibilities of this position involve teaching freshman‑level Drawing, 2-D and 3-D fundamentals that emphasize formal elements and principles of design, and will be responsible for teaching first‑year courses to pre‑graphic design students within a professional degree program.

Responsibilities of the appointment are broken down as follows: 70% teaching, 25% research and scholarly related activity, and 5% service. The teaching load consists of two design studios plus participation on a senior thesis committee per semester, subject to enrollment demand and or institution policy. Candidates are expected to continue and/or develop an active program of scholarly, creative practice and funded research within the discipline that aligns with the SIGD/CADC and AU strategic plans.

Candidates must hold an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, or related discipline from an accredited institution, at the time employment begins.

Desired Qualifications

Previous teaching experience in post‑secondary education and/or professional practice experience is desired.