Apply on Employer Site

Design Observer · 3 weeks ago

Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Product Design (Assistant Professor)

Louisville, KY

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

Design Observer is seeking an Assistant Professor for a tenure-track position in Product Design at the University of Louisville. The successful candidate will teach and develop BFA courses, emphasizing human-centered design and hands-on fabrication while maintaining an active creative agenda.

ArchitectureDigital MediaNews

Responsibilities

Teach, develop, and refine BFA courses in Product Design, emphasizing concept development, form-giving, drawing as a communication/thinking tool, materials, and fabrication

Integrate human-centered methods, iterative prototyping, sustainable practices, and systems thinking across studios and critiques

Contribute to foundation-level courses (e.g., 3D Design, Drawing) that build students’ visual thinking and shop literacy

Mentor students through portfolio development, internships, competitions, and capstone projects

Maintain an active scholarly/creative agenda demonstrating conceptual rigor and material sophistication

Disseminate work through appropriate venues (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, exhibitions, conferences, patents, juried shows, industry partnerships)

Seek external funding or sponsored collaborations when appropriate

Partner with Speed School faculty to create joint learning experiences, co-taught studios, and/or applied research initiatives at the design–engineering interface

Engage in service to the department, college, and university; participate in professional organizations (e.g., IDSA) and regional/national design communities

Qualification

Human-centered designThree-dimensional form-givingHands-on fabricationSustainable design practicesDigital fabricationInterdisciplinary collaborationDrawing skillsCreative/scholarly achievementInclusive pedagogyGrant writing experience

Required

Terminal degree (MFA, MDes, PhD, or equivalent) in Product/Industrial Design or a closely related field by the start date; ABD considered

Demonstrated excellence in conceptual development and three-dimensional form-giving

Hands-on fabrication expertise (shop safety and practices; materials knowledge; relevant manufacturing processes)

Foundation in human-centered design research and application

Commitment to sustainable and materially responsible design practices

Strong drawing skills and the ability to teach drawing as a tool for ideation, analysis, and communication

Record of creative/scholarly achievement commensurate with rank

Demonstrated commitment to inclusive pedagogy and mentoring

Preferred

Professional practice experience in product/industrial design

Successful university-level teaching

Breadth across fabrication methods (e.g., wood, metal, plastics, composites, textiles)

Facility with digital fabrication (CNC, rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing) and potentially emerging technologies (IoT, smart materials, interactive systems)

Foundation in systems thinking to situate products within broader contexts and lifecycles

Record of interdisciplinary collaboration, especially with engineering or technical fields

Community-engaged or socially responsible design work

Experience with grant writing, industry sponsorships, or external funding

Portfolio evidencing conceptual depth, formal sophistication, material exploration, and user-centered problem solving