Digital Design Foundations Lecturer

Job Duties:

The School of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, invites applications for a Lecturer in Digital Design Foundations. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing, NASAD-accredited institution and shape the next generation of digital design professionals in a vibrant and collaborative academic environment. This is a 9-month academic year instructional staff position, with full benefits and intent to renew for future years at 75% or greater employment. This position will commence in August 2026.

 

The range of courses taught includes studio-based digital tools courses (Adobe Creative Suite) as well as visual communication design and portfolio building courses. These courses serve undergraduate students in various design disciplines, including graphic design and interactive media, industrial and product design, interior design, game design, and animation.

 

The three primary areas of teaching for this position include:

• Digital tools: introduction to, and use of design principles in, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Communication design: best practices for presentations and client communications
• Portfolio building and job search best practices

 

These courses are fully enrolled and scheduled every semester. Syllabus, typical projects, office space, laptop computer, class resources and mentorship from area faculty are available to support the instructor. Course delivery is in-person and in accordance with NASAD standards.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach a range of digital design foundation studio-based courses each semester in accordance with the standards of our polytechnic mission
• Foster a rigorous and inclusive learning environment
• Schedule and maintain office hours for students, in alignment with departmental expectations
• Provide grades following the process and timeline established by the registrar
• Participate in the university's online learning management system
• Work with the Disability Services office to foster an inclusive learning environment for students with accommodations
• Perform other duties as designated by the Department Chair

 

 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Facilitates classroom, online and/or laboratory instruction for one or more courses, including assessment of student performance

• Develops instructional design and curriculum relevant to a course of instruction

• Serves as an initial point of contact for students as it relates to specific course or series content and expectations

 

 

Department:

The School of Art & Design (SOAD) has over 85 faculty/staff and over 1,300 students, making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in the upper Midwest. Our school serves the M.F.A. in Design, ten undergraduate degrees, and seven minors. For more information, please visit: School of Art & Design.

 

Compensation:

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. A six-month probationary period is required.

 

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. ·

 

Employee Benefits: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ · To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

 

Required Qualifications:

• A terminal degree (MFA) or bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years relevant industry experience.  

• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite software, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Experience in the basics of visual communication design (layout, hierarchy, typography)
• Experience in graphic design or a visual communication-focused discipline

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed terminal degree (M.F.A., Ph.D., or equivalent) in related field of study.
• Documented successful experience in teaching, coaching, or mentoring in related field of study
• Demonstrated success working with diverse student populations
• Commitment to cultivating a work environment and student experience that embraces inclusion
• Experience teaching.  

 

How to Apply:

Complete applications received by end of day, December 1, 2025, are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after December 1 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

 

To apply, please go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

 

Required application materials:

Cover letter (* See below)

Current resumé/CV

Names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references with at least one being from a manager or supervisor

Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and advanced degree; as applicable)

Portfolio of no more than twenty (20) images of relevant work, link or pdf (professional or personal) Portfolio of no more than twenty (20) images of student work, link or pdf (for those with teaching experience)

Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)

 

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

 

Applicants will need to complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

 

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

 

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.wisc.edu/hrs/page.php?id=21900  

 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual's disability.

 

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Andrew Williams

Email: williamsa@uwstout.edu

 

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Rebecca Rother

Phone: 715-232-1097

Email: rotherr@uwstout.edu

 

 

Guidelines to ensure consideration:    

• Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.     

• Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.  

 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.   

 

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. 

• Employee Benefits:  https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

 

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.

 

Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks. 

 

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

 

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

 

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.