The School of Art at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design to start August 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment with a workload of 40% teaching, 40% research/creative activity, and 20% service. Teaching will be the equivalent of a 2/2 load in the Graphic Design BFA program, the Master of Design in Communication Design, the upcoming design minor, and/or the school’s foundations program. The ideal candidate brings practical knowledge in emerging technologies and design futures, including areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, experimental design, data visualization, speculative design, and other innovative design methods. The successful candidate will demonstrate future-thinking mindsets in teaching, creative practice, and scholarly research, with consideration for how AI is transforming visual communication, design authorship, image-making, typography, branding, interaction, publishing, and other areas of graphic-design practice.
This is an in-person position, not a remote position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
About the School of Art:
Housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Arkansas School of Art offers undergraduate degrees and tuition-free graduate programs in art education, art history, graphic design and studio art, including ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Formerly the Department of Art, the School of Art was established in 2017 following a transformative $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. With additional support from the Windgate Foundation, the School of Art developed the Windgate Art + Design District, providing state-of-the-art facilities and strong partnerships with regional arts institutions. Learn more at art.uark.edu.
About the Graphic Design Program:
With 110 undergraduate students, 14 graduate students, and 9 full-time faculty, we are a vibrant community of creatives who are passionate about designing at the edge of what is possible and what is preferable for the future of communities, culture, and technology. Housed in the brand-new Studio + Design Center, the Graphic Design program’s facilities include large studio classroom spaces, multiple state-of-the-art technology and equipment labs, risograph and letterpress printers, and a special projects Design Clinic.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Terminal degree (PhD, MFA, MDes, MGD) in Graphic Design (or a closely related field such as visual communication) from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by the first date of appointment
- At least one academic year of university-level teaching experience as a graduate teaching assistant with classroom teaching responsibilities or instructor of record in graphic design or a closely related field
- Evidence of an active research agenda and/or scholarly/creative activity in emerging technologies
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two or more years of university-level teaching experience as instructor of record in graphic design or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and/or cross-campus collaborations
- Demonstrated research trajectory related to emerging technologies such as VR/AR, artificial intelligence, data visualization
- Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and design program coordination
- Evidence of strong interpersonal communication as demonstrated in applicant materials
Salary Information:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Required Documents to Apply:
Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Other (see special instructions for details), Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Optional Documents:
Proof of Veteran Status
Recruitment Contact Information:
Professor Bree McMahon, bmcm@uark.edu
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Completed applications received by December 14th, 2026, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.
For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Bree McMahon, bmcm@uark.edu.
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum vitae,
- Cover letter/letter of application,
- List of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide letters of recommendation if requested during the application process,
- Research/creative scholarship statement,
- Teaching philosophy statement,
- Syllabi of 1-3 relevant courses taught or proposed, plus one project brief/description (as single PDF),
- 20 examples of professional/research work, identified with title, date, medium, dimensions/time, and project description (as single PDF), and
- 20 examples of student work, identified with course title and level, project description, date, medium and dimensions (as single PDF).
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry
The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
