Foundation – Full Time Faculty IT/Digital

STATUS: Full-Time (Assistant Professor)
DIVISION: Undergraduate Studies
REPORTS TO: Chair of Foundations
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The CCS Foundation Department provides students in all majors with the core skills needed to succeed in their college and professional careers. The Foundation curriculum introduces students to the essentials in drawing, design concepts, digital techniques, and materials and processes. It also introduces students to thinking critically about their work and the work of others and articulating informed ideas through oral and written critique.

The full-time IT/Digital faculty member in Foundation is responsible for developing and teaching courses as assigned and is responsible for maintaining superior pedagogy in accordance with current standards of practice. The faculty member works with the Department Chair to provide ongoing evaluation and enhancement of the current program curriculum, particularly as it relates to Digital Techniques courses, as well as contributes to new curriculum and program development. The faculty member takes an active role in the CCS learning community at large. This position is focused on Digital courses, however, faculty with appropriate skills may be asked to teach a second Foundation discipline (2D or 3D Design).

Appointment:
Non-Tenure track, beginning Winter or Fall 2023

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Primary responsibilities are teaching Digital Techniques courses;
• Introduce students to the process of working and thinking digitally, enabling them to explore the use of multiple digital techniques in support of art and design practice;
• Perform the duties of a full-time faculty member as described in the Handbook for Full-Time Faculty, including teach three classes per semester during the academic year, develop curriculum, advise and serve as a mentor to students, serve on faculty committees as assigned, and participate in faculty governance and other activities of the Department and College, as requested;
• Assist in training and supervision of Adjunct and FT faculty as requested;
• Assist with the jury and installation of the annual Student Exhibition, including the digital collection, submission, curation, and archiving of the Foundation Digital Student Exhibition information;
• Assist with the creation and/or maintenance of Social Media platforms for the Foundation department;
• Assist with the compilation, management and analysis of Foundation department data that will help drive strategic program planning;
• Advise and recommend on the use of innovative technologies to enhance Foundation department workflow and processes;
• Provide localized technical support for adjunct faculty in the Foundation department;
• Uphold high academic standards and encourage the free expression of divergent points of view in class;
• Maintain a professional practice and personal research agenda to keep abreast of best practices, techniques, and trends in the discipline and ensure that pedagogy at CCS remains at a superior level.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• MFA in Studio Art or Design; or
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field to content being taught and a combination of:
  • A minimum of six years, working in the field of industry of the content area being taught and;
  • Evidence of recognized accomplishment in area being taught, including awards, bibliography of publication referencing design or art work or scholarship or;
  • Evidence of scholarly/creative accomplishment in terms of completed design work, patents, exhibitions, presentations, publication, and juried recognition at the regional, national and international level or;
  • Evidence of service to the field in terms of memberships on committees or boards of professional organizations and other contributions to the field.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the Adobe Creative suite, with an emphasis on Photoshop and Illustrator, Adobe Premiere, Digital Photography, InDesign, Lightroom and a functional knowledge of a broad range of 2D and 3D digital/analog creative tools is highly desirable;
• Preference will be given to knowledge of new teaching methodologies and technologies;
• At least 6 years of college-level teaching experience;
• Minimum of 5 years of active/current professional practice or creative/critical scholarship, and an established record of professional success as demonstrated by exhibitions, publications, and/or other evidence of accomplishment;
• Experience with curriculum design and planning;
• Experience with analyzing, interpreting, and organizing large amounts of data;
• Ability to develop and nurture student artistic abilities, including assessment of student skills and ability to succeed;
• Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies;
• Excellent problem-solving, and trouble-shooting skills;
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to work towards meeting multiple deadlines simultaneously;
• Knowledge and commitment to health and safety in the arts.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually.  Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required.  The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places.  The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required.  CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT CCS

College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors:  Advertising Design, Art Education, Art Practice, Communication Design, Craft and Material Studies, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design. It also offers a Master’s degrees in four majors: Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Systems Design Thinking, and Transportation Design.