Continuing Education Instructor, Graphic Form

CE Overview

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

Job Description

RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets the essential competencies of an artist and designer. Our instructors respond to students in a timely manner and communicate with the discipline and division via college-provided tools and resources. We welcome instructors whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

The successful candidate should be prepared to teach asynchronous online courses to a diverse group of students from a range of disciplines, through online content development, including recorded video demonstrations and/or lectures provided weekly for the course duration. Candidates should be prepared to develop culturally diverse syllabi for studio and seminar courses, and weekly feedback to student work that models constructive criticism that encourages students to grow creatively and intellectually.

We are looking for instructors whose specialty is in Graphic Form. This course introduces two-dimensional design as it needs to be understood by the graphic designer. The successful candidate must lead adult students to explore and develop an understanding of visual relationships through the use of the elements of design (line, shape, value and texture) and the accompanying principles of design (figure/ground relationships, repetition, contrast, rhythm and transformation). Teaching the use of digital drawing tools such as Adobe Illustrator is a must for this role as students will need to explore design through the dynamics of form, counter form and letter form. Together as a class, the instructor will review the basic concepts and vocabulary of design, as well as teaching how to critique and discuss projects to achieve greater visual literacy.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Bachelor's Degree required

A track record of professional experience at companies successfully doing related work, and/or a robust, creative, intellectually and critically engaged design or studio practice, as evidenced by recognition in publications, commissions, exhibitions, awards and/or collaborative projects

Teaching experience, including the ability to create syllabi and lesson plans, and how to tie those to learning outcomes

Ability to accept and act upon constructive feedback from course evaluations by students and staff

Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills

Ability to meet RISD’s technology requirements

Experience leading classes and critiques that model inclusivity in an environment of diverse learners

Ability to tailor instruction to meet the needs students with a wide range of pre-existing skills

In-depth knowledge of Graphic Form

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Teaching experience in a collegiate or adult education setting that addresses underrepresented communities

Online teaching experience, or experience utilizing an LMS

MFA preferred or equivalent in established professional practice in area of study

Lifelong learning orientation with demonstrated interest in learning about new developments in their area of study

Ability to empathically relate to a wide range of student perspectives and maturely handle interpersonal issues that may arise

Experience in course content development, including video creation of demonstrations and lectures

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume, including a URL link for your professional portfolio

Statement of interest preferred

Work Schedule:

Now hiring for the Winter 2026 semester, course dates: 1/12/2026 - 2/22/2026

Union:

No

Work Modality:

Remote, Asynchronous

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:CE Instructor

R-01756