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.

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.

About School of Visual Communication, Ohio University

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. There are about 16,000+ students attending school on the Athens campus. Athens Ohio 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.

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