From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

The faculty of the School of Visual Art and Design at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track instructor position at the rank of Instructor to begin August 16, 2025. The position is a 9 month appointment with a teaching load of 8 courses for the academic year. An additional administrative appointment opportunity with this position may extend the position to an 11-month appointment and a 3/3/1 load with the inclusion of responsibilities to manage the Design Studio and the Design Print Lab. The instructor position and the administrative appointment are annual appointments that may be renewed contingent upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding.

Additional courses taught by this position include introductory courses in design technology foundations and typographic design. New courses in entrepreneurship and business strategies for creatives could also be developed.

About the Graphic Design + Illustration program The Graphic Design + Illustration (GD+I) program is a concentration of the Studio Art BFA in the School of Visual Art and Design. Students undergo a portfolio review before admission into the program, pursue internships, and have a capstone experience before graduation. Students in the program regularly win awards and recognition with the American Advertising Federation, AIGA, Creative Quarterly, and more. The GD+I program has an engaged student body and five full-time faculty who teach courses in motion, interaction, interface and experience design, augmented reality, design with AI and machine learning, product and packaging design, typography, branding, systems, traditional illustration, drawing, and digital illustration. Designers and illustrators in our program understand the objects and interactions we create are part of larger systems and that we have responsibilities as message-makers. We lead with research and data to make informed solutions. For more information about the GD+I program, please visit http://www.bit.ly/uofsc_design

About the School of Visual Art and Design The School of Visual Art and Design, http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/art, employs 38 full-time faculty members who teach classes for approximately 650 majors in four disciplines: art education, art history, media arts, and studio art. The school, which is accredited with NASAD and NCATE, offers BA, BFA, MA, MAT, and MFA degrees. For more information about the School of Visual Art and Design visit our website at http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/art.

Candidates must have an MFA or MDES in design or a PhD degree in design or terminal degree in a closely related field by the start date of employment. Applicants must have expertise in graphic design, current design technologies, and the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, adjunct instructors, and graduate students on curriculum matters.

The successful candidate will lead and support the expansion of the award-winning Graphic Design and Illustration (GD+I) BFA program through teaching, mentorship, and service. The position requires teaching courses across the design curriculum, mentoring students, and leading The Design Studio, a public facing, student-run studio housed in the School of Visual Art and Design. The Design Studio is an experiential learning capstone experience for BFA design students; students work with local, regional and national clients to develop strategy-based branding and marketing materials. Additional courses taught by this position include introductory courses in design technology foundations and typographic design. New courses in entrepreneurship and business strategies for creatives could also be developed.

Review of applications will begin on January 3, 2025. This position is open until filled.

Inquiries about this position may be directed to the search committee chair, Prof. Marius Valdes, valdesm@mailbox.sc.edu

Completed applications will include:
● A letter of application
● CV that includes URLs to relevant design artwork and/or design publication, and list of college level courses taught (if applicable)
● Sample syllabi developed and taught by the candidate, unless the applicant is seeking to transition from an industry career into academia
● At least five samples of student design work (PDF format or URL link), unless the applicant is seeking to transition from an industry career into academia
● A statement describing the candidate’s commitment to teaching and mentoring
● Names and contact information for three references. The search committee will request letters from referees of candidates who are selected as finalists. Reference letters must be signed and on letterhead

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.