Part-Time Faculty — Creative Technology

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Part-Time Faculty — Creative Technology to join our team.

The salary range for this position: $5,990.00 - 12,583.00 per 3-credit course section.

Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Job Summary

The Humanities and Sciences Department is seeking a technologist with a deep understanding of the creative process and demonstrated engagement with art and design. We particularly welcome applicants with research expertise or professional experience in integrating emerging technologies into creative workflows to facilitate innovation. Familiarity with prototyping, testing and implementation of technological solutions in digital media, HCI, and/or engineering is preferred. Ideal applicants will have experience or enthusiastic interest in teaching creative technologies in an interdisciplinary context, and embrace the unique opportunities presented in teaching undergraduate students from across ArtCenter’s studio programs (e.g. Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Transportation Design, Product Design, Photography, Fine Art). This is a part-time faculty position with an in-person teaching modality. Class schedules are determined by the College, and ArtCenter reserves the right to modify class schedules as needed, with appropriate notice, to meet business needs.

Please Submit

• A cover letter
• A short statement of teaching experience and philosophy that includes evidence of effective teaching
• A curriculum vitae
• Portfolio

Essential Functions

Part-time faculty members are expected to contribute to the further evolution and visibility of the department by activities such as:

• Provide instruction and feedback during scheduled class hours or meetings
• Provide asynchronous instruction and feedback, as applicable for the course
• Maintain, track, and report student attendance through the Learning Management System (“LMS”), and report issues of student attendance to the Department Chair, Associate Chair, or Assistant Chair
• Prepare instructional materials and class syllabi (aligned with current department curriculum Program Learning Outcomes and Course Learning Outcomes) in LMS and other College tools or templates
• Before week one of classes, distribute syllabi to students, and College administration pursuant to college guidelines
• Post student grades in required tools by required deadlines
• Communicate with students through the College’s official LMS, Zoom, at on campus meetings and ArtCenter sanctioned events, and/or ArtCenter email or other pre-approved methods and/or platforms of communication only
• Facilitate course evaluations through the College’s evaluation protocol
• As required by the Department Chair, Associate Chair, or Assistant Chair, participate in communication of courses by providing relevant materials to and communicating with departments
• As required, provide materials for assessment according to accreditation standards and department and College compliance
• Schedule a reasonable amount of time to hold student consultations outside of class to expand upon and/or clarify classroom instruction
• Write student recommendations, if requested by the department or the student
• Remain current on college procedures, tools, and learning modules
• Complete required learning modules related to federal and state requirements and ArtCenter policies pertaining to health and safety rules, regulations and practices, as assigned by Employee Experience and Engagement Department
• Attend required department and other administrative meetings
• Attend required college-wide meetings
• Participate in Faculty Performance Review/Evaluation process

Other Responsibilities and Service Opportunities

• Assist in cultivating guest lectures, visiting designers, publications, and student competitions
• Assist with student gallery, grad show, and web content
• Assist in creating visibility and recognition for the program among prospective students, the design community, creative industries, and potential donors and sponsors
• Maintain external relationships with designers and leaders experienced with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity

Union Membership

As a condition of continued employment, within 31 days following the execution of this Agreement or the first date for which they are on payroll, faculty will either become a member of the Union and pay regular monthly dues thereto, or in lieu thereof, shall pay an agency fee (a service charge as a contribution toward the cost of administration of this Agreement and representation by the Union) to the Union each month.

Essential Skills

Experience in two or more of the following:

• Human-Computer Interfaces
• Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Embodied computing, input output sensor-based computing, tangible computing
• Robotics and hardware programming
• Full stack development, GitHub and variety of prototyping tools such as Figma
• React/JavaScript/NodeJS, HTML/CSS, XML/JSON, Adobe Creative Suite
• Simulation and prototyping in context of game engines (e.g. Unreal or Unity)
• Teaching entry to midlevel python, JS, p5.js, C
• Machine learning, generative AI and LLMs for design research
• WCAG AA/accessibility standards
• Ability to employ systems design thinking in the context of creative design processes

Qualifications

• Master’s in design, CHI, CS, or equivalent
• 3-5 years relevant professional experience
• Preferred experience designing coursework and conducting assessment relative to teaching practice
• Project- and design-based learning: ability to work collaboratively with students to understand project requirements and provide mentorship as projects are implemented
• A portfolio of diverse project types demonstrating an ability to contextualize existing and emerging technologies in multiple creative teams
• Ability to teach a survey of tools
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary understanding

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of shows, publication or industry projects demonstrating the use of emerging creative technologies in the context of human-centered design
• Experience teaching in interdisciplinary or creative contexts

Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.

Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.

Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.

Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president

ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the Director, Title IX Compliance and Programs or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.

Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.