Full-Time Faculty – Entertainment Arts, 3D Animation

STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Entertainment Arts
REPORTS TO:Chair of Entertainment Arts
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) invites applications for an Entertainment Arts Department Full-Time Faculty Member in the Animation emphasis with a start date of September 2023. Entertainment Arts at CCS is seeking an accomplished professional and academic with proven experience and knowledge in animation and art direction. This position reports to the Chair of the Entertainment Arts department within the Undergraduate Studies Division. The faculty member is responsible for teaching at least three classes per semester that each meet six hours per week, with a possibility of overloading to four classes per semester. Classes are scheduled based on availability and may vary each semester. This position requires strengths in mentoring and motivation of students to achieve their full potential in accomplishing work that meets college-level standards as established by the department along with developing curriculum within the applicant’s area of expertise. Rank and compensation are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Department Mission

The Animation emphasis within CCS’s Entertainment Arts program explores both the theoretical and technical sides of character performance, design, story, and world-building in a mixed visual medium. Through courses and mentorships with faculty—many of whom currently work in the animation industry—students build an understanding of the production pipeline for feature and television animation, games and advertising.

In Animation, students have the flexibility to customize their curriculum in a specific track like visual development, traditional animation, CG, stop motion, storyboarding, fabrication, pitching, character acting, or narrative, among other specialties.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Teach three classes per semester during the academic year and mentor undergraduate students in all areas of entertainment arts, which includes animation, concept design, and game. The faculty member may also be assigned to teach courses in other departments of the College, such as Foundation drawing depending on the expertise. Other duties include: assisting in developing strong industry relations for sponsored projects, internships, and full-time positions for students and participating in the development of the undergraduate curriculum. Contribution to curriculum development both within the Entertainment Arts department and the College as a whole. Continued professional activity and growth, as well as service within the department, college, and professional community are also required.

Entertainment Arts at CCS is seeking an accomplished professional and academic with proven experience and knowledge in animation and art direction:

3D and 2D animation
3D and 2D design
3D and 2D rigging knowledge
Animation development pipelines
Concept development for character animation
Curriculum Development

Under the direction of the Program Chair, Full-Time Instructors will teach courses which will involve the following essential accountabilities:

Preparation of teaching materials
Overseeing live projects
Assessment and feedback

Instructors should be available for face-to-face teaching per course requirements, which could be during the day or evening. They will also be expected to attend department meetings and faculty committee meetings and engage in personal and/or professional development and training as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Successful candidates must possess a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, MFA preferred.
Minimum five years’ experience in the animation industry or equivalent.
Priority is given to candidates with college-level teaching experience who are also dedicated to establishing themselves as an active part of the art community.
Strong character animation background in 3D.
Experience in 2D animation is a plus.
Candidate who is passionate in storytelling and has experience in the animation production pipeline.
Experience in pre-production development such as script writing, character ideation, and storyboarding.
Comprehensive knowledge of Maya, After Effects, and a functional knowledge of the broad range of 2D and 3D digital creative tools is highly desirable.
Knowledge of Blender and ToonBoom Harmony and Storyboard Pro is a plus.
Comfortable with learning new software and emerging industry technologies, such as VR, Gravity Sketch, etc.
Understanding of game animation and VFX pipelines is highly desirable.

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.

To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:
Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to: hr@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

CCS website: http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.