Assistant Professor, Graphic and Experience Design

Job Description

The School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech () invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Graphic Design with a start date of August 2026. The ideal hire will help guide the programs continued evolution collaborating with current faculty to expand its focus and prepare students for the rapidly changing field of graphic design. We are especially interested in candidates whose expertise in user experience and digital technologiessuch as AR VR AI motion web and interactionreflects the future trajectory of the profession. SOVA is housed within the College of Architecture Arts and Design (AAD) () at Virginia Tech () a comprehensive land grant research university in Blacksburg Virginia.

SOVA has approximately 300 undergraduate majors within four areas (Graphic Design Creative Technologies Studio Art and Art History). The Graphic Design program currently has approximately 120 majors and has been included in GDUSAs list of Top 30 Graphic Design Schools for the past seven years. Virginia Tech offers unique opportunities for faculty to collaborate across disciplines expand the impact of their research and engage in innovative projects that address real-world challenges. For example the Institute for Creativity Arts and Technology (ICAT) ()a university investment institute where arts design science and engineering convergeSOVA faculty and students can explore unconventional solutions to complex problems through the lens of art design and technology.

Key responsibilities:


Teach undergraduate courses from introductory to advanced levels of Graphic Design and User Experience Design (and possibly occasional non-majors foundations and graduate courses).
Sustain a program of creative research/scholarship in UX/UI (e.g. peer-reviewed publications juried exhibitions funded projects public-facing work or industry collaborations).
Integrate contemporary tools and methods (Figma Adobe CC Framer ProtoPie Miro) and teach evidence-based processes (user research accessibility prototyping evaluation).
Advance inclusive ethical and accessible design practices (e.g. WCAG-aligned teaching responsible/transparent AI use privacy-aware UX).
Contribute to curriculum development in our evolving UX/UI and Graphic Design pathways (course design assessment alignment with program outcomes).
Mentor students (advising portfolio/case-study development internships career readiness) and support a collaborative studio culture.
Contribute to the growth of our program and school through active participation in a collaborative cross-disciplinary work environment.
Participate in service at school/college/university levels and in community/industry partnerships aligned with Virginia Techs Ut Prosim mission.
Travel occasionally for conferences and meetings.

Required Qualifications

Terminal degree in Graphic Design or User Experience/Interaction Design (i.e. MFA MGXD MDes PhD) or in a closely related discipline by appointment start date.
Evidence of or potential for effective teaching in User Experience Design and Graphic Design at the university level including introductory intermediate and advanced courses.
Demonstrated record of creative research/activity in User Experience Design.
Commitment to inclusive pedagogy accessibility and ethical practice including responsible integration of emerging technologies (e.g. AI).
Excellent communication and collaboration skills suited to a cross-disciplinary environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Record of excellence in one or more of the following areas: design systems interaction/motion; immersive media (e.g. AR/VR/XR immersive experiences); data visualization; web/product design; experimental/kinetic typography; service or speculative design; and emerging digital practices.
Preparedness to work with industry or community partnerships (client projects sponsored studios) and/or applied research that bridges academia and practice.
Ability to teach additional courses depending on area of specialization (e.g. electives graduate courses).
Evidence of interdisciplinary teaching and/or research across design technology and related fields or potential to contribute in this area.
Ability to teach graphic design courses to non-majors.
Commitment to academic leadership with the ability to contribute to a growing and dynamic graphic design program.

Materials Submission

For full consideration interested applicants are asked to submit the following:

• Letter of intent that includes the candidates proven experience the potential capacity to fulfill duties and responsibilities including both the required and preferred qualifications above.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• A one-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidates ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.
• Up to 20 examples of professional work (consider including process artifacts and evaluation).
• Up to 20 examples of student work (optional).
• The professional references (names emails and phone numbers).
• Summarized teaching evaluations in a table (optional but preferred).

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range is $ per year

Hours per week

40 ; as needed

Review Date

Friday January 9 2026 - Review of submissions will begin on this date and continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information

For additional questions about the position contact the Graphic and Experience Design Search Committee Chair Meaghan Dee ().

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.