What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design-Fine Arts and Communications, Regular Faculty - CFS Professional position at Brigham Young University?
Job Title: Design-Fine Arts and Communications, Regular Faculty - CFS Professional Faculty, may be filled with visitor
Posting End Date: November 16, 2025
*NOTE: Last day to apply is Saturday, November 15, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m. (MST)
Position Start Date: September 1, 2026
Required Degree: A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Entertainment Design, Illustration, Animation, Drawing, Painting, Industrial Design, or another appropriate discipline is required or Master of Fine Arts degree in the related disciplines preferred. The candidate should have extensive background in drawing, painting, and concept design for Animation. Candidates with extensive professional experience in concept design and entertainment markets are encouraged to apply. Teaching experience at the college/university level is strongly preferred. Candidates with applied professional experience in concept design and entertainment markets are encouraged to apply.
The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Summary: The Department of Design at Brigham Young University is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, continuing-status professional faculty position in Animation, beginning Fall Semester 2026. The position may also be filled with a visiting faculty. This position may also service the Illustration program. The Animation program at Brigham Young University is an interdisciplinary program between the departments of Design, Theater and Media Arts, and Computer Science. The Animation program consists of two full-time faculty within the Department of Design, one full-time faculty within the Department of Theater & Media Arts, and three faculty within the Computer Science Department, and offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. As a professional teaching FTE, this position will be evaluated in the areas of citizenship and professional service.
Qualifications: An ideal candidate would present a portfolio showing evidence of technical drawing ability from figurative to environmental subjects, painting ability in either traditional or digital media, an understanding of design, composition, color theory, perspective drawing, a strong understanding of structure and anatomy of the human form, and the ability to creatively solve visual communication problems. Digital illustration, concept design, environment design, 3D modeling, animation, storyboarding, creative product design, and entrepreneurship would also be of interest. A successful candidate must be able to present and explain difficult visual concepts effectively, conduct studio demonstrations of various methods and media, and individually mentor students in their educational and professional development, and collaborate with colleagues in a collegial manner.
Duties/Expectations:
Depending on the candidate’s creative focus and professional experience, teaching assignments may include Life Drawing, Perspective Drawing, 2D and/or 3D Digital Illustration, Painting, Sequential Art, Concept Design, Character Design, Environment Design, Illustration, or other specialized subjects.
Additional responsibilities include advising senior capstone and other mentored student projects, curriculum development, committee work, administrative assignments and other service to the university. Professional service for this position will include teaching and creative scholarship. Though it is expected that the majority of this position’s professional service will be in teaching and evaluated according to the standards and assessments outlined in the University Rank & Status policy, a smaller percentage of the load of the FTE will include professional service in creative scholarship, which will be evaluated according to the standards and assessments outlined in the University Rank & Status Policy, with additional detail specific in the Design Department Rank & Status policy. Full-time faculty are expected to help develop career opportunities for graduates and enhance the image of the department, college, and university. Faculty are also expected to maintain an active record of professional creative activity, which means continuing publication in works of 2D or 3D animation, concept design fields, illustration markets, art competitions, and other publications.
Documents Required at the Time of Application: Please attach the following to the faculty application:
- updated curriculum vitae
- letter of intent indicating qualifications for the position
- Digital Portfolio of personal, professional, and student work (provide links)
- Belonging Statement (a one-page document explaining experiences and commitments to belonging and inclusion in regards to scholarly, teaching, mentoring, and service/engagement)
- if previously or currently teaching at a higher institution, submit all institutional teaching/student ratings
- Mission Alignment Statement to the faculty application.
BYU Belonging Statement: United by our common primary identity as children of God, BYU values equal opportunity. We also value and embrace the variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts of each member of the BYU community and the richness and strength they bring in helping create and support an environment of covenant belonging centered in Jesus Christ. Candidates with experience in and commitment to mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
Mission Alignment Statement
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education .
Employment Requirements
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.
All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church.
Equal Opportunity
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
