Assistant/Associate Professor of Visual Communication
The University of Oklahoma

Position Description
The School of Visual Arts at the University of Oklahoma invites qualified candidates to apply for a full-time, tenure track position as Assistant/Associate Professor in Visual Communication.

We seek a forward thinking designer and educator to support the growth and development of the Visual Communication area of the school. Visual Communication emphasizes how design culture, theory, and practice overlap with visual form to find applications in graphic design, information and systems design, time-based and interactive mediums, user interface and user experience design, wayfinding, and broader currents of discourse involving design, art, and visual culture. The area combines the study of traditional media arts, including typography, photography, video, and animation, with the demands of a changing media landscape. The new hire will advance the Visual Communication area toward emerging directions in design, especially those that involve new technologies and imagining new futures. Areas of expertise could include: critical design, design fiction, speculative design, critical technical practice, interrogative design, and critical making.

The appointed faculty member will be expected to engage in academic and professional service, contribute to curriculum development, and work collaboratively with other areas of the school (Studio Art; Art, Technology, and Culture; and Art History). The 2/2 course load will encompass teaching at all levels in the program. The position, starting on 16 August 2021, offers a competitive salary, start-up funding, and research support.

The University of Oklahoma is dedicated to diversity, inclusivity, and equity. We highly encourage applications from a wide variety of ethnic, racial, religious, gender identity, and national backgrounds. A successful candidate will support a diverse student and faculty population with values of equity across many areas of artist and professional practice.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges.

The central campus and administrative offices of the University of Oklahoma are located in Norman, a city of more than 120,000 residents. Norman is often cited in “best places to live” rankings and is a culturally rich and vibrant community with outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living. The state capital, Oklahoma City, is located 20 miles to the north. With over 1.35 million residents and a unique central plains heritage, the Oklahoma City metro is home to a diverse and lively array of arts, culture, dining, sports, and entertainment. Visit https://www.ou.edu/publicaffairs/oufacts for more information.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person’s unique contributions, background and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.

Qualifications
Required Criteria:
• Candidates must hold a terminal degree in Visual Communication/Graphic Design or equivalent degree (MFA, MSD Masters in Design, MVCD Masters Visual Communication Design, PhD in Design)

Preferred Criteria:
• University-level teaching experience
• 3-5 years of professional experience in graphic design

Application Instructions
Review of completed applications will begin on April 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. A complete application must include: a curriculum vitae; a letter of application (cover letter); a statement of teaching experience and philosophy; a web portfolio of applicant and student work; and the names and contact information of three references.

The search committee is chaired by Director Pete Froslie. Materials should be addressed to Director Froslie and submitted electronically through this website: https://apply.interfolio.com/83247

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.