The Department of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position to begin in August of 2023. Salary is competitive with peer institutions and commensurate with quality of practice, scholarship and current academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.
DEPARTMENT PROFILE
The Department of Visual Communication Design (VCD) galvanizes students to be original, critical, empathetic and vital. Our students represent a diverse collection of interests, skills and cultures, united by a common goal: to explore and experiment, engage and excite, and ultimately advance whatever purpose they choose to pursue through the power of visual and verbal communication.
We prepare our students for a life in design by guiding them along a pathway that is both rooted and radical in its structure and trajectory. We provide a critically-based design education through an understanding of social implications; cultural and historical roles of design; the creation of meaningful, creative, and informative visual forms and messages to diverse audiences; and the exploration and application of a range of technologies, methodologies, and theories to target, develop and assess interactions and experiences. This happens at every level of the curriculum, from the overall framework to individual courses, activities and outcomes. This distinctive approach is made more potent within the context of a legendary, multi-disciplinary art school aligned with one of the most highly regarded art museums in the world.
Further information about the department can be found at https://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/visual-communication-design
RESPONSIBILITIES
Full-time faculty in VCD teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students within the interdisciplinary art and design school environment of SAIC. Faculty impart to their students a progressive awareness of the changing and interrelated roles of representations, objects, environments, interactions, and media; maintain an active and recognized professional practice of client-initiated or self-initiated design development and/or academic research investigations; and participate in the SAIC community through ongoing curricular development, and department and school governance
QUALIFICATIONS
A terminal degree in visual communication/graphic design or other relevant field of study is preferred. Teaching experience at the university level is highly preferred. In particular, we invite applications from candidates with expertise in User Interface (UI) design, hybrid practices, and/or storytelling. Areas of research, practice, and teaching may include design for diverse content structures (narrative, informational, or interpretive), interaction modes (digitally- or physically-interactive), and content formats (screens, pages, objects, or environments). We seek candidates with the knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds, and who will create a positive, inventive, and productively critical learning environment. The ideal candidate will contribute to the diversity of the School by bringing a perspective, way of thinking, and/or a unique set of experiences that expand the intellectual conversations and design practices in the field.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
On or before Monday, January 30, 2023, please submit application materials via http://SAICfaculty.slideroom.com. You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application composed of fill-in fields and uploaded documents. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the deadline.
Complete the fields for educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.
Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files to upload include:
● cover letter stating your interests and qualifications
● resume or curriculum vitae
● statement of research and practice
● statement of teaching philosophy, including your thoughts on teaching to a diverse student body and creating an inclusive learning environment
● documentation of professional work and/or creative practice
● diversity statement
● 3 examples of course syllabi, including detailed descriptions of specific assignments
QUESTIONS
Questions regarding the School and its open positions, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu. Please consult www.saic.edu for information on the School and its programs or https://www.saic.edu/about/work-at-saic for open positions and application procedures.
ABOUT SAIC
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School is one of the largest and oldest private schools of art and design in the country with programs reflecting current practices in art. SAIC's educational philosophy is built upon a transdisciplinary approach to art and design that provides unparalleled opportunities for students to develop their creative and critical abilities with renowned faculty who are leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its Modern Wing, and numerous special collections and programming venues that provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. The campus is located on Chicago’s magnificent lakefront amid the city’s cultural and architectural treasures.
Degree tracks include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio; BFA with Emphasis in Art Education or Writing; BA degrees in Art History and Visual and Critical Studies; Master of Architecture; Master of Design (MDes) in Designed Objects; MDes in Fashion, Body, and Garment; MFA in Studio or Writing; MA degrees in Arts Administration; Art Education; Art History, Theory, and Criticism; Art Therapy; Teaching; Visual and Critical Studies; and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Title IX Coordinator
Robert Babcock, 116 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603, rbabco@artic.edu.
Section 504 Coordinator
Felice Dublon, PhD, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, The Office of Student Affairs, 36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1204, Chicago, IL, 60603, 312.629.6800, fdublon@saic.edu.
For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, see the Office for Civil Rights Discrimination for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 800.421.3481.
REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Roth Scranton, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs at mscranton@saic.edu.
