Assistant or Associate Professor Product Design / Industrial Design

Job Details:

STATUS: Full Time

DIVISION: Undergraduate Studies

REPORTS TO: Chair of Product Design

SUPERVISES: N/A

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Position Description

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate educator to join our esteemed Product/Industrial Design department at CCS.

The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in design, with a proven track record of teaching, a deep passion for design innovation, exceptional technical skills, and a commitment to fostering the next generation of creative thinkers.

As a member of our tight-knit team, the educator will play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience of our students and contributing to the ongoing growth of our program.

Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions

Teaching: Conduct engaging and insightful lectures, workshops, and seminars in various aspects of industrial design. Create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that encourages critical thinking, problem- solving and creative exploration. Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusive content into the classroom to ensure students understand the importance of design that respects the needs and perspectives of all individuals, regardless of background, abilities, or culture.

Curriculum Development: Collaborate with colleagues to develop and refine the curriculum, incorporating the latest industry trends, technologies, and methodologies. Continuously update course content to ensure its relevance and alignment with industry standards.

Technical Expertise: Possess a comprehensive understanding of design principles and an extensive skill set in areas such as sketching, rendering, digital modeling (using software such as Solidworks, Rhino, Blender etc.), and digital rendering (using Keyshot). Demonstrate proficiency in AI design workflows and applications.

Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to students, nurturing their individual talents and helping them develop a strong foundation in design techniques and methodologies. Encourage experimentation and risk-taking in design projects. Provide professional career support with mentoring on soft skills and portfolio preparation.

Team Collaboration: Collaborate closely with fellow faculty members to contribute to a collaborative and innovative departmental environment. Participate in team meetings, contribute to program development, and engage in interdisciplinary projects.

Prototyping: Exhibit proficiency in prototyping techniques and hands-on fabrication skills. Support students in turning their conceptual designs into tangible prototypes.

Research and Scholarship: Stay abreast of the latest advancements in industrial design, design theory, and pedagogical practices. Contribute to research and scholarship in the field through publications, presentations, and participation in relevant conferences.

Community Engagement: Cultivate connections with industry professionals, design organizations, and local businesses to foster networking opportunities, internships, and collaborations for students.

Qualifications and Experience

A Master Degree (MFA) or tested equivalent experience in the Industrial Design field (minimum of 5 years of experience in industry.)

A minimum of 2-3 years of teaching experience in higher education, preferably in the field of industrial design.

A deep passion for design innovation, education, and a commitment to nurturing students' creative growth.

Strong proficiency in design software such as Solidworks, Rhino, Blender, Keyshot and the Adobe Creative Suite.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex design concepts effectively.

A broad depth of knowledge in design theory, methodologies, and technical skills.

Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Experience with prototyping and hands-on fabrication techniques.

A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a team.

Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in guiding students through their educational journey.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually.

Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required.

The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places.

The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required.

CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About CCS

College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students, approximately 7% of whom are international students from more than 30 countries. CCS offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors: Advertising, Communication Design, Entertainment Arts: Animation, Concept Design, Game, Fashion Design, Film, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art + Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Studio Art & Crafts, and Transportation Design and an Art Education Teacher Certification program. It also offers a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in four majors: Art Education, Color and Materials Design, Interdisciplinary Design Studies, Transportation Design, and User Experience Design.

To apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately

The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:

Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to:

CCS website:

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.

Full-Time