Assistant Professor of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design, Ohio University
/Job Description: The School of Visual Communication (VisCom) is seeking an experienced individual to join our team as an Assistant Professor of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design. As a UX design leader within VisCom, the best candidate for this full-time, tenure-track position will create and execute a well-rounded curriculum that teaches students how to create effective and seamless digital experiences for end-users while contributing to the growth and development of the design program.
Job Requirements: The ideal candidate must have hands-on expertise in the three pillars of UX design, including a solid understanding of UX principles, an elegant execution of UI aesthetics, and a thoughtful approach to UX research methodologies. This candidate understands how to teach and prepare students for industries where user-centered design meets technology and visual communication.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SKILLS
Design and keep current entry-level curriculum to advanced courses that produce strong UX, UI, and UX research designers ready for real-world roles.
Guide design students through small- and large-scale projects that amount to robust case studies ready for portfolio reviews at the end of their coursework.
Understand and have experience executing qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies and creating courses and projects to strengthen these skill sets for students.
Have hands-on, expert-level experience using modern design tools like Figma or Adobe XD, and confidently teach students tactical skills to create wireframes, style guides and design systems, high-fidelity screens, and interactive prototypes using these tools.
Confidently give feedback to designers at various project stages (concept ideation, execution of low and high-fidelity screens, creation of animations and iconography, etc.) in design reviews that mirror real-world peer and leadership critiques.
Promote the importance of quality UI design execution and introduce students to design foundations and requirements (including mobile/app best practices, ADA compliance, etc.) and embed this thinking to be top of mind within the design process.
Guide students through coursework that mirrors 0-to-1 product launch processes and that allows students to graduate with an understanding of how UX roles fit within organizations, including an understanding of the roles of their cross-functional partners (developers, product managers, etc.)
Teach students to lightly read and manipulate web scripting languages (i.e., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for the purposes of collaboration with the developers they will work with in the future.
Keep a pulse on industry trends and capabilities, allowing VisCom students to evolve as quickly as the internet and industry demands.
Maintain strong research/creative presence in UX and UI design.
This is not a remote position. Along with teaching, mentoring, and advising graduate and undergraduate students, the successful candidate is expected to bring a collaborative spirit to the school’s other majors, in addition to UX/UI design. All VisCom faculty are expected to provide service to the school, to the Scripps College of Communication, and to Ohio University, as well as maintain a strong level of their own creative/professional activities in their respective field.
Minimum Qualifications: At a minimum, a master’s degree in the field of visual communication, graphic design, or a related field, and at least three years of work experience as a UX/UI designer are required.
Preferred Qualifications: An advanced degree in one of these fields, and/or five or more years of professional experience, is preferred. Teaching experience is a plus.
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience, while also considering internal equity. Employees also enjoy a generous benefits package including paid holidays, sick time, personal time, a tuition waiver up to 100% for self and dependents, a comprehensive insurance package (including but not limited to health, prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance), an excellent retirement plan with up to a 14% company contribution, a 12-week parental leave program, adoption reimbursement, transgender care, flextime and flexplace policies, counseling and mental health care, access to professional development programs and more. Additional information is available at https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits.
Type of Job: Assistant Professor
City: Athens
State/Country: OH
Duration: Full-Time Tenure Track Faculty
Benefits: https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits
Company: Ohio University, School of Visual Communication in the Scripps College of Communication
About Our Company:
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE AND SCHOOL
The School of Visual Communication is one of five schools that comprise the Scripps College of Communication (https://www.ohio.edu/scrippscollege/schoolsandcenters/index.cfm). There are also five on-campus centers (such as WOUB Public Media and the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact) and affiliated programs that work in conjunction with each other. In 2015, the schools moved into the Schoonover Center, a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of campus.
There are currently 6 full-time faculty members in the School of Visual Communication. The school, established in the late 1970s, has consistently seen a significant number of its students win international and national awards (including Pulitzer Prizes) in the industry. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in visual communication.
ABOUT THE AREA
Ohio University is located in picturesque Athens, a historic college Southeastern Ohio town in the foothills of the Appalachian mountain range. Athens is known for its “lush land,” “vibrant local music and arts scene,” “interesting food” and “great local cinema.” It’s a place that’s friendly, walkable and affordable.
How to Apply: Candidates for this position should apply at https://www.ohiouniversityjobs.com/postings/45028, Job Posting Number 2016034 where they will submit their application materials online. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Adonis Durado at durado@ohio.edu.
Applicants will need to include the following information:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Teaching Philosophy Statement
Three Reference with current contact information
Creative work under the document type of “Other.”
Unofficial Transcript
Posting Details Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the ‘Posting End Date’ shown at the Ohio University jobs site.
