The Art and Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking a designer-educator who is enthusiastic about teaching first-year students and design foundations in an undergraduate, student-centered educational environment. The Foundations curriculum in Art and Design introduces critical thinking, experimentation, and creative literacy to undergraduate students in Graphic Design, Photo/Video, and Studio Art. The position, a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor, will begin August 17, 2026.  

We are seeking a practicing designer and educator with a robust creative practice and a commitment to equity-driven pedagogy, who is dedicated to the creative growth of first-year students. The ideal candidate will demonstrate fluency in analog and digital design tools, as well as emerging technology—including, but not limited to, areas such as artificial intelligence, creative coding, extended reality (XR), motion, experiential design, and speculative design. These areas of technical expertise should be informed by and grounded in inclusive design and a global perspective.

The successful candidate will teach two to three undergraduate studio-based courses per semester. Instructional duties include design foundations (2D Design, Design Thinking and Methods), core classes in graphic design, and general education design courses (Fundamentals of Digital Media Art)—with a focus on developing students’ skills in critical thinking, creative practice, industry-standard software, and cultural competence.  

The candidate will be an active participant in our department’s evolving curriculum, which foregrounds inclusive pedagogy, sustainable design, and diverse cultural perspectives in design thinking and practice. We welcome applicants whose practice integrates research, social impact, and technology and who can prepare students for careers at the forefront of graphic design practice. 

Salary: Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 – $98,244/year, $7,523 – $8,187/month  (Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units per semester, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. 

Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semesterbased year-round operations (YRO).  Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters ohered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and stah training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Required Qualifications

• MFA, MDes, or similar terminal degree in graphic/visual communication design or a closely related field by the time of appointment
• Demonstrated experience teaching graphic design and/or foundations courses at the college level
• Active record of professional practice in the field, with exhibitions, publications, and/or significant client work
• Demonstrated breadth of experience in traditional graphic design: typography, layout, identity systems, and branding
• Demonstrated engagement with Art and Design Foundations pedagogy.
• Demonstrated expertise with current industry software, including but not limited to: Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Ehects, XD), Figma, HTML/CSS and/or other design tools
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest or experience in actively following developments at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and graphic design, with an eye to maintaining a robust pedagogy and curriculum that prepares students for success in a changing field
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive design and interest or experience in communitybased design, design for social change, design for accessibility, sustainable design, and/or socially responsive design
• Demonstrated experience with inclusive, culturally competent, and/or equity-driven student-centered pedagogy, responsive to the needs of a diverse student population
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships and interdisciplinary connections across the University and beyond—with community, industry, and professional organizations.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.

Special Conditions

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional oher of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the oher of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are ohered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

About The Department

The Department serves over 200 undergraduate majors and ohers a NASAD-accredited BFA in Art and Design with concentrations in graphic design, photography/video, and studio art. Graphic Design is the largest area with, on average, 65% of Art and Design majors. The Department also serves the university through general education courses in art, design, photography, and art history. All faculty are expected to participate in the following: curriculum development, cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues, supervision of student-related activities, departmental recruiting, and committee service within the department, college, and university.  

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #552566. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• (1) a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
• (2) a current Curriculum Vitae
• (3) copy of unohicial transcripts (sealed ohicial transcripts and letters of recommendation will be required for final consideration)
• (4) a Universal Student Success Statement: Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.
• (5) Statement of research interests/ research plan
• (6) sample syllabi and teaching materials with project descriptions
• (7) Portfolio and examples of recent student work. Provide images of current creative work (maximum of 20 pages) and images of student work, if applicable (maximum of 20 pages). These documents must be submitted as a single PDF file, no larger than 150mb (provide links to online content within the PDF when necessary). Candidate may also submit a link to a portfolio website.

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the review begin date for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. 

Cal Poly’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations.  Cal Poly does not commit to providing visa sponsorship for this position, and applicants should not expect that such sponsorship will be ohered.

Projected Start Date: August 17, 2026

Review Begin Date: January 9, 2026. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.  

For questions about the position please contact Charmaine Martinez via email at cmarti11@calpoly.edu.