Assistant Professor in Art and Design Design Foundations (2627)

The Art and Design Department

The Art and Design Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is seeking a designer-educator who is enthusiastic about teaching first-year students and design foundations in an undergraduate student-centered educational environment. The Foundations curriculum in Art and Design introduces critical thinking experimentation and creative literacy to undergraduate students in Graphic Design Photo / Video and Studio Art. The position a full-time academic-year tenure-track Assistant Professor will begin August 17 2026.

We are seeking a practicing designer and educator with a robust creative practice and a commitment to equity-driven pedagogy who is dedicated to the creative growth of first-year students. The ideal candidate will demonstrate fluency in analog and digital design tools as well as emerging technologyincluding but not limited to areas such as artificial intelligence creative coding extended reality (XR) motion experiential design and speculative design. These areas of technical expertise should be informed by and grounded in inclusive design and a global perspective.

Teaching Responsibilities

The successful candidate will teach two to three undergraduate studio-based courses per semester. Instructional duties include design foundations (2D Design Design Thinking and Methods) core classes in graphic design and general education design courses (Fundamentals of Digital Media Art)with a focus on developing students skills in critical thinking creative practice industry-standard software and cultural competence.

The ideal candidate will be an active participant in our departments evolving curriculum which foregrounds inclusive pedagogy sustainable design and diverse cultural perspectives in design thinking and practice. We welcome applicants whose practice integrates research social impact and technology and who can prepare students for careers at the forefront of graphic design practice.

Salary : Anticipated Hiring Range : $90276 $98244 / year $7523 $8187 / month

(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research / professional development (including publication) student supervision and advising and participation in service activities at the department and college / university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units per semester with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development.

Subject to further planning and approval Cal Poly anticipates a possible transitionto semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO full-time academic year faculty maybe assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall / Spring Spring / Summer or Summer / Fall)out of the three semesters offered annually. Thetwo-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation subject to departmental needs and University policy.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

Required Qualifications / Specialized Skills

• MFA MDes or similar terminal degree in graphic / visual communication design or a closely related field by the time of appointment
• Demonstrated experience teaching graphic design and / or foundations courses at the college level
• Active record of professional practice in the field with exhibitions publications and / or significant client work
• Demonstrated breadth of experience in traditional graphic design : typography layout identity systems and branding
• Demonstrated engagement with Art and Design Foundations pedagogy.
• Demonstrated expertise with current industry software including but not limited to : Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator InDesign Photoshop After Effects XD) Figma HTML / CSS and / or other design tools
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

Preferred Qualifications

supportive and inclusive environment.

professional capabilities.

Special Conditions

All CSU employees are designated mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional offer of employment a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note : Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note : Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children concerns for the safety and security of people animals or property or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

About The Department

The Department serves over 200 undergraduate majors and offers a NASAD-accredited BFA in Art and Design with concentrations in graphic design photography / video and studio art. Graphic Design is the largest area with on average 65% of Art and Design majors. The Department also serves the university through general education courses in art design photography and art history. All faculty are expected to participate in the following : curriculum development cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues supervision of student-related activities departmental recruiting and committee service within the department college and university.

How to Apply

To apply please visit complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #552566. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application :

(1) a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications

(2) current resume / curriculum vitae

(3) Universal Student Success Statement : Cal Poly is a public student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level including evidence of experience with inclusive accessible and intentional teaching to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.

(4)unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned (official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment)

(5)Statement of research interests / research plan

(6) sample syllabi and teaching materials with project descriptions

(7) portfolio and examples of recent student work : provide images of current creative work (maximum of 20 pages) and images of student work if applicable (maximum of 20 pages). These documents must be submitted as a single PDF file no larger than 150mb (provide links to online content within the PDF when necessary). Candidate may also submit a link to a portfolio website.

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the review begin date for full consideration; however applications received after this date may be considered.

Cal Polys ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities budget availability and current federal regulations. Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be offered.

Projected Start Date : August 17 2026

Review Begin Date : January 9 2026

Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.

Please contact Charmaine Martinez if you have any questions about this position at

Key Skills

Abinitio,HR Administration,Accomodation,Advocacy,Bid Management,Maintenance Engineering

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 7523 - 8187