Associate Professor of Graphic Design -Tenure Track

Job Summary

The Art Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison welcomes applications for a tenured Associate Professorship in Graphic Design. The position will begin in August 2027 and offers the opportunity to teach in and help lead a well-established, well-equipped program at a major research university. The successful candidate should be a practicing artist who will contribute to the Art Department’s intellectual and academic life through research, teaching, and service.

The position includes undergraduate and graduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach, with ample opportunity for cross-disciplinary dialogue with graduate students across the department. The department is a strong, devoted community of practicing artists committed to its students, collegiality, and the ability to interface with all areas of the Art Department and its 25 tenured/tenure-track faculty members is a significant aspect of the position.

The role also offers opportunities to engage with the Kohler Art Library’s collection of artists’ books.

School of Education / Art Department

Faculty

Regular

Associate Professor

Negotiable Academic (9‑months). Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax‑advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

• Teach undergraduate applications courses and manage a 16‑credit teaching load per academic year, with classes typically 4 credits each.
• Teach graduate courses on a semesterly basis, including independent study sections, interdisciplinary group critiques, or graduate seminars.
• Serve on graduate committees with M.F.A. candidates and advise and mentor graduate students within an interdisciplinary Art Department.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to students.
• Work collaboratively and lead a team of instructors within a large and vibrant Art Department.
• Maintain a studio practice at a nationally recognized level that meets tenure expectations at a major research institution.
• Consult on the management of gift funds and endowments to support the advancement of the Graphic Design area.
• Participate in service activities at local, state, national, and university levels.
• Meet department and university teaching, research, and service expectations.
• Seek extramural funds to support research and creative activity when possible.
• Instruct courses such as Basic Graphic Design, Information Graphics, Graphic Design for Publication, Graphic Design for Posters, Graphic Design for Packaging, Graphic Design for Interactive Media, Typography, Branding, History of Graphic Design, Graphic Design for Accessibility, and Graphic Design for Senior Thesis.

• Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience at the university or college level.
• Demonstrated expertise in contemporary graphic design theory, history, and professional practice.
• Demonstrated experience teaching graphic design coursework across undergraduate curricula.
• Experience with curriculum development, program planning, or academic program leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and advise undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Evidence of successful recruitment, retention, or student outreach efforts.
• Demonstrated leadership and service experience within an academic, professional, or creative organization.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across disciplines.
• Experience working with or supporting diverse populations and fostering inclusive learning environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more contemporary graphic design practice areas such as typography, identity/branding systems, information graphics, publication/editorial, interaction/UX/UI, web, motion/animation, design research & strategy, service design, socially…