Professor of Practice, Graphic Design

Georgia State University is a national model for innovation and opening opportunities for all, among the top five most innovative by U.S. News & World Report, ranked 1st among public universities in undergraduate teaching, the number 1 nonprofit university to award bachelor's degrees to African American students, 4th in the country for its first-year student experience, and highly ranked for enabling the social and economic mobility of its students. Among the most diverse universities in the nation, Georgia State opens global perspectives as the number 1 U.S. public university sending African American students to study abroad.

A regional gateway to higher education, the five suburban Perimeter College campuses provide more than 30 associate degree pathways. The downtown Atlanta campus offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degree levels.

With five university-wide research centers and numerous centers and institutes at the college and school levels, Georgia State's interdisciplinary, dynamic and productive research enterprises address major health and societal challenges. It is one of only 146 universities with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Foundation, an honor reserved for the nation's most active research institutions. Outgoing research expenditures have doubled in the last decade and topped $1.2 billion over the last six years, an indication of the University's rapid research growth.

Georgia State is vital to the regional economy, with a more than $2.9 billion economic impact, and is also a vital part of Atlanta's vibrant arts and entertainment community, with highly regarded programs in music, art, creative writing and film, the Rialto Center for the Arts, and the Creative Media Industries Institute that contributes to innovation and the workforce for interactive media and media entrepreneurship.

General information on faculty roles and responsibilities can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook https://faculty.gsu.edu/faculty-handbook/ and the Office of Faculty Affairs website https://faculty.gsu.edu/. All faculty at Georgia State are, as part of their essential job duties, expected to: (1) be physically present on-campus as needed to contribute to Georgia State's in-person educational experience, and (2) be able to teach in each of the following instructional modalities - in-person, online, or blended/hybrid - as determined by their Department Chair or Dean.

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design is part of the College of the Arts, which was established in 2016, and also includes the School of Music and the School of Film, Media & Theatre. Faculty utilize campus resources for their research and student mentoring, including the ExLab (makerspace), the Creative Media Center ( CMC), and the Creative Media Industries Institute ( CMII). Our faculty also take advantage of design facilities in the greater Atlanta area such as the Museum of Design Atlanta, the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking, the HP Graphic Arts Experience Center, National Center for Civil & Human Rights, and the Atlanta chapter of AIGA.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to teach and mentor graphic design students in a large R-1 arts environment in a major city. Georgia State University values both artistic excellence and pedagogical innovation and serves one of the most diverse student populations in the nation. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to teaching, a deep engagement with contemporary design theories and practice, and bring strong creative, technical, and professional expertise.

The Graphic Design area has approximately 40 BFA majors. The 3-year MFA in Graphic Design typically has 4-6 students.

The Professor of Practice will teach six courses per year. The ideal candidate should have a demonstrated investment in teaching a range of student populations and a willingness to integrate their design specialization(s) into the Graphic Design curriculum, from fundamental courses through graduate thesis completion. A successful candidate will think of design broadly and wish to cultivate cross-disciplinary opportunities throughout the university. They will assist with curriculum and program development for Graphic Design, advise students, and participate in BFA reviews. They will assist with graduate recruiting and conduct MFA reviews. They will participate in the professional and academic work of the university, including committee service to the department and college.

* 2+ years of successful teaching experience.

* A distinguished record of prior accomplishments in the design field.

* Terminal degree ( MFA, PhD, or commensurate professional experience) in Graphic Design or related design discipline.

* Evidence of innovative teaching to diverse student populations within university undergraduate and graduate design programs.

* Knowledge and application of contemporary design theories and practice.

* Strong skills in two or more areas: UI/UX design, responsive web design, mobile application design, 3D animation, VR/AR design.

* An active record of distinguished client projects, publications, and/or exhibitions, with an understanding of how design can address contemporary social issues.

* A record of active participation in professional design or academic organizations.

A criminal background check is required.

Xinran Hu
xhu18@gsu.edu

Susan Richmond
srichmond@gsu.edu

For full consideration, please submit all required materials by February 14, 2026.

Qualified candidates must provide the follow application materials to be considered:

* a letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications and experience;

* a curriculum vitae;

* three sample syllabi (intro level, upper level, and graduate level if available) with clear project descriptions and course calendar;

* a portfolio with 20 images of current design/studio work and an artist statement;

* a portfolio with 20 images of student work from courses taught, clearly labeled and described with the relevant assignment and course information (e.g., Title_Medium_Dimensions_Year Completed);
- Letters of recommendation will be requested at the time the application is submitted.

* There is a 10mb size limit for all submitted documents needed to apply. Documents 1, 2, and 3 can be used to upload your portfolio.

Georgia State University is an equal opportunity employer with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.