What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teaching Assistant Professor of Design Foundations position at Appalachian State University?
Posting Details
Request to Recruit
Position Title Teaching Assistant Professor of Design Foundations
Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track
Provide Rank Teaching Assistant Professor
Position Number 087751
VISA Sponsorship? VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Department Applied Design - 265310
Working Location (City, State) Boone, NC
Position Summary Information
Minimum Qualifications
A terminal degree such as an MFA in art or design.
Demonstrated teaching experience at the college level.
Areas Of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)
In-depth knowledge and experience with the Elements and Principles of Design as applied to both 2D and 3D design, skills in drawing, color theory, 3D practices and spatial/ form based exploration. In-depth skills in the Adobe Creative Suite, especially as applied to design (Apparel, Industrial and Interior).
Experience in teaching; especially in cross-disciplinary introductory courses.
Experience with critique-based pedagogy and facilitating group discussions.
Experience supporting diverse student populations in introductory level courses.
Evidence of effective curriculum development and commitment to teaching the fundamentals of design.
Evidence of scholarly and/or creative work.
Evidence of or potential for service within the department, college, university community, and profession.
License/Certification Required
N/A
Description Of The Department Or Unit
The Department of Applied Design, offers three NASAD accredited undergraduate majors with 500 students: Apparel Design and Merchandising, Industrial Design with concentrations in Furniture and Product Design, and Interior Design. Applied Design includes design studios, 12,000 square feet of prototyping studios, computer labs and designated classrooms. Applied Design’s 16 tenure-track and full-time faculty focus on enhancing human experience through design. Students acquire the skills necessary to envision solutions from concept to prototypes through experiential learning. Students are required to complete one internship. Alumni occupy diverse professional positions.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Responsible for teaching introductory classes in the fundamentals of design sequence and for collaborating with other instructors in the foundations program. The classes in this area serve students in Interior Design, Industrial Design, and Apparel Design and Merchandising. The courses may include but are not limited to: Visual Literacy 1 (2D); Visual Literacy 2 (3D); and Digital Design.
Collaborate with faculty in a coordinated, mutli-section program including shared curriculum development, alignment of learning outcomes and contents and participation in program development.
Teaching load: four courses per semester (12 credit hours). There is also an opportunity to teach summer courses for additional compensation.
Type of Position Full Time Position
Appointment Type 1.0
Number Of Months Per Year 9
Physical Demands of Position
Typical physical demands of a professional position at the university.
Posting Details Information
Proposed Date of Hire 08/10/2026
Suggested Salary Range Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABD Consideration: N/A - ABD is not applicable for this position. See Minimum Qualifications.
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate’s salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.
No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University’s Job Board:
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
Posting Date 03/25/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Evaluation of Applications Begins 04/15/2026
Search Chair Name Garner Dewey
Search Chair Email deweygg@appstate.edu
Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/53548
Posting Number FA00246P
Request to Recruit
Position Title Teaching Assistant Professor of Design Foundations
Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track
Provide Rank Teaching Assistant Professor
Position Number 087751
VISA Sponsorship? VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Department Applied Design - 265310
Working Location (City, State) Boone, NC
Position Summary Information
Minimum Qualifications
A terminal degree such as an MFA in art or design.
Demonstrated teaching experience at the college level.
Areas Of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)
In-depth knowledge and experience with the Elements and Principles of Design as applied to both 2D and 3D design, skills in drawing, color theory, 3D practices and spatial/ form based exploration. In-depth skills in the Adobe Creative Suite, especially as applied to design (Apparel, Industrial and Interior).
Experience in teaching; especially in cross-disciplinary introductory courses.
Experience with critique-based pedagogy and facilitating group discussions.
Experience supporting diverse student populations in introductory level courses.
Evidence of effective curriculum development and commitment to teaching the fundamentals of design.
Evidence of scholarly and/or creative work.
Evidence of or potential for service within the department, college, university community, and profession.
License/Certification Required
N/A
Description Of The Department Or Unit
The Department of Applied Design, offers three NASAD accredited undergraduate majors with 500 students: Apparel Design and Merchandising, Industrial Design with concentrations in Furniture and Product Design, and Interior Design. Applied Design includes design studios, 12,000 square feet of prototyping studios, computer labs and designated classrooms. Applied Design’s 16 tenure-track and full-time faculty focus on enhancing human experience through design. Students acquire the skills necessary to envision solutions from concept to prototypes through experiential learning. Students are required to complete one internship. Alumni occupy diverse professional positions.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Responsible for teaching introductory classes in the fundamentals of design sequence and for collaborating with other instructors in the foundations program. The classes in this area serve students in Interior Design, Industrial Design, and Apparel Design and Merchandising. The courses may include but are not limited to: Visual Literacy 1 (2D); Visual Literacy 2 (3D); and Digital Design.
Collaborate with faculty in a coordinated, mutli-section program including shared curriculum development, alignment of learning outcomes and contents and participation in program development.
Teaching load: four courses per semester (12 credit hours). There is also an opportunity to teach summer courses for additional compensation.
Type of Position Full Time Position
Appointment Type 1.0
Number Of Months Per Year 9
Physical Demands of Position
Typical physical demands of a professional position at the university.
Posting Details Information
Proposed Date of Hire 08/10/2026
Suggested Salary Range Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABD Consideration: N/A - ABD is not applicable for this position. See Minimum Qualifications.
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate’s salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.
No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University’s Job Board:
- A letter of application addressing minimal qualifications and areas of interests
- Philosophy of teaching statement
- Current vitae
- Copy of unofficial transcripts
- Complete contact information of three professional references
- Portfolio of professional work (not to exceed 9MB)
- Portfolio of student work from classes you have taught (not to exceed 9MB)
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
Posting Date 03/25/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Evaluation of Applications Begins 04/15/2026
Search Chair Name Garner Dewey
Search Chair Email deweygg@appstate.edu
Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/53548
Posting Number FA00246P