Visiting Lecturer, Graphic Design - Elmhurst - Elmhurst University

Description

Elmhurst University invites applications for a full-time Visiting Lecturer in Graphic Design in the Department of Art & Design. The primary responsibility of this position is to teach in the undergraduate Graphic Design program. This position carries a 4-4 teaching load (four courses per semester) and begins in August 2026.

The Graphic Design program is evolving and aspires to further emphasize design as a strategic practice, building on existing curricular foundations. The curriculum centers on strong conceptual thinking, strategy-driven decision making, and intentionally executed approaches to visual communication in service of audience, context, and purpose. Students are prepared to work as adaptable designers who can think critically, collaborate effectively, and respond to evolving professional contexts.

The position includes instruction across undergraduate studio and lecture courses, participation in curriculum development, departmental and university service, and advising and mentoring students as they prepare for professional practice or graduate study. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued evolution of the program, including expanding the thoughtful and responsible integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into graphic design pedagogy.

Position Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $55,000 - $58,000. This is the expected salary range for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and education, and departmental budget.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this position include teaching across the undergraduate Graphic Design curriculum and supporting the continued development of the program:

• Teaches undergraduate courses across all levels of the graphic design curriculum, with an emphasis on foundation and intermediate coursework, aligned with departmental needs and the candidate's expertise.
• Teaches foundation-level courses in design and software, serving both graphic design majors and non-majors.
• Advises and mentors undergraduate students, including guidance on curriculum planning, professional development, portfolio preparation, and career readiness.
• Contributes to innovative teaching practices and ongoing curriculum development within the Graphic Design program.
• Participates in departmental service and shared governance, consistent with the appointment.
• Engages with contemporary discourse, professional organizations, and evolving practices relevant to the field of graphic design.

Other Responsibilities

• Supports the mission, vision, and values of Elmhurst University.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA or MA in Graphic Design or a closely related field, completed by August 1, 2026; candidates with significant professional experience and demonstrated expertise may also be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise across core areas of graphic design such as branding and brand strategy, packaging design, typography, layout design, layout systems, and UX/UI, aligned with departmental needs and the candidate's strengths.
• Strong grounding in graphic design, design history and theory, and contemporary practice, with the ability to connect these areas in teaching.
• Ongoing record of professional creative practice and/or scholarly or applied research in graphic design.
• Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard software and the ability to teach necessary technical skills, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and AI-informed design tools.
• Commitment to inclusive and effective teaching practices; mentoring undergraduate students; and contributing to curriculum development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience at the university level, which may include college-level adjunct or teaching assistant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to teach across multiple levels of an undergraduate graphic design curriculum.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: UX/UI design, AI-informed design practices, motion graphics, or emerging media.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

The essential functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Benefits

An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available here.

Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following materials with application:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter addressing the listed qualifications
• A brief teaching philosophy
• A list of references including the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references
• A PDF or link to a website presenting examples of professional work
• A PDF or link to a website presenting 6–10 examples of student work (optional but preferred). Student examples should be labeled to indicate how the work relates to specific course assignments.
• A minimum of three examples of course syllabi and assignments (optional but preferred).

For list items 5 and 6 above, applicants have the option to enter links into a designated field of the online application and/or to upload a PDF with links in a different field of the application. Additional materials, including letters of reference or official transcripts, may be requested prior to the start date.