Assistant Professor of Industrial & Product Design

Job Duties:

The School of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin – Stout invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Industrial & Product Design, with a specialization in Design Drawing, commencing August 2026. This is a tenure-track, 9-month academic year position. As a tenure-track position, this individual is expected to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level and engage in outreach to industry, conduct creative research, and engage in service to the department, college, and university. UW-Stout’s School of Art & Design is NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) accredited. Course delivery is in-person and in accordance with NASAD standards. The appointment will be at the assistant professor level.

 

A core focus of this position will be instructing students in sketching, rendering, and visualization within undergraduate studio courses: DES-205 Design Drawing and Concept Visualization, a perspective-heavy drawing and visualization class required of several undergraduate Design programs, and DES-405 Advanced Design Drawing, a digital sketching, rendering, and visualization class. Additional teaching assignments will align with instructor expertise.

 

This position will support and facilitate student learning in alignment with UW-Stout’s polytechnic tenets of applied learning and research, business and industry partnerships, and career-focused education. Please visit Careers & Jobs to learn about art and design teaching opportunities currently open at UW-Stout. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach studio lab courses each semester, following NASAD guidelines, that may include a combination of beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in the Industrial & Product Design program, The M.F.A. graduate program, the Apparel, Soft Goods, and Footwear minor, and classes related to Design Drawing & Visualization.
• Advance student learning in Industrial and Product Design in alignment with UW-Stout’s polytechnic tenets of applied learning and research, business and industry partnerships, career focused education.
• Provide student academic advisement and conduct assessment of student learning. This includes contributing to academic program assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement processes, in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Develop a productive research program with the potential for refereed scholarship (peer-reviewed publications, peer-reviewed creative scholarship); conduct original research in areas of design 
• Perform university, community, and professional services 
• Demonstrate organizational skills and collegiality.
• Collaborate with other faculty to maintain / develop course curricula.
• Foster a rigorous and inclusive learning environment.
• Schedule, maintain office hours and/or online availability for students, in alignment with departmental expectations; including assessment of student learning.
• Provide grades following the process/timeline established by the registrar.
• Participate in the university’s online learning management system.
• Participate in early alert and other student success initiatives as requested.
• Work with the Disability Services office (http://www.uwstout.edu/disability) to foster an inclusive learning environment when students disclose the need for learning accommodations.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Department Chair.

 

 

Key Job Responsibilities:

 

 

Department:

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Industrial & Product Design program prepares students for careers in contemporary product design. UW-Stout Industrial & Product Design graduates hold successful careers designing a wide array of products including but not limited to consumer electronic, soft goods, medical devices, footwear, furniture, bicycles and other micromobility products, aquatic vehicles, household and industrial products and equipment, tools, prosthetics, toys, and exhibit design. The success of our students is derived from a program that highlights the intersections of fine art, design, history, sustainability, and a strong liberal arts education. The 100-student industrial and product design program has strong industry partnerships and boasts a 95% placement rate. Student designers have been recognized by the Inspired Home Competition, Core77 Design Awards, The Pensole World Sneaker Championship, IDSA, NASA, RESNA, and many competitions sponsored by industry. 

 

The School of Art & Design (SOAD) has over 85 faculty/staff and 1,300 students, making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in the upper Midwest. The School of Art & Design student population accounts for roughly 20% of the on-campus undergraduate population at UW-Stout. Our school serves the M.F.A. in Design, ten undergraduate degrees, and seven minors. For more information, please visit: http://www.uwstout.edu/soad/ 

 

Compensation:

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Completed terminal degree (M.F.A., Ph.D., or equivalent) in an area relevant to Industrial Design by date of appointment (ABD will be considered)

• Demonstrated knowledge and evidence of teaching potential in university courses related to Design Drawing and Industrial & Product Design

• Experience with design drawing techniques: constructed perspective drawing, quick ideation sketching, and digital drawing, rendering & visualization tools

• Interest in advancing student learning in industrial and product design in alignment with UW-Stout’s polytechnic tenets 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary trends, issues, and techniques in the field of industrial & product design 

• Two years minimum professional experience related to industrial & product design; ideal candidates will have experience working on multi-disciplinary collaborations with diverse stakeholders 

• Proficiency in technical software, including (but not limited to) SolidWorks, Rhino, Gravity Sketch, and/or KeyShot 

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentorship of undergraduates 

• Established research agenda of scholarship and creative work 

• Demonstrated success working with diverse student populations

• Commitment to cultivating an inclusive work environment and student experience

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, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

 

Required application materials:

Cover letter (* See below)

Current curriculum vitae or resumé

Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references who can speak to your skills and abilities for the position

Unofficial copies of transcripts of all degrees.

Portfolio, link or no more than 20 pages, showcasing creative work and including samples of sketching, rendering, and/or other drawing.

Teaching portfolio of student outcomes (if applicable), link or no more than 20 pages.

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.

 

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 provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability.

 

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Erik Evensen

Email: evensene@uwstout.edu

 

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, 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.