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University of Wisconsin–Madison

Teaching Faculty in Human-Centered Design Fundamentals

LocationUniversity of Wisconsin Madison
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
DepartmentDesign Studies
Company size10,000+ people
PostedOct 1, 2026 · 1w ago
Verified live9h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Must have10
Previous teaching experience or transferable professional experience, with demonstrated potential to excel in higher education
Professional experience in art, design, or a closely related field
Knowledge of human-centered design processes
Strong visual communication and 2D design skills
Experience facilitating critique, co-design, workshops, or other collaborative design activities
Ability to communicate design concepts, processes, and rationale effectively to diverse audiences
Familiarity with contemporary digital design tools and professional workflows
Evidence of creativity, innovation, sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism
Ability to work effectively and collegially within a diverse academic community
Master's degree in design or a closely related field
Nice to have2
University-level studio or design teaching experience
Professional experience in one or more areas of human-centered design practice
Eligibility1
University sponsorship is not available for this position
Skills
digital design tools
Benefits
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Retirement plan
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Teaching Faculty I
Job Summary:
The Design Studies Department in the School of Human Ecology (SoHE) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for an open-rank, renewable, non-tenure-track Teaching Faculty position. Rank will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s professional and teaching experience. More information about Teaching Faculty rank (I, II, or III) is available here: https://kb.wisc.edu/sohe/130059
Reporting to the Chair of Design Studies, the Teaching Faculty member will have instructional (80%) and programmatic (20%) responsibilities. The position carries no research expectations and typically involves teaching four courses per semester (12 credits per semester; 24 credits annually).
The successful candidate will teach foundational 2D design courses and contribute to the broad human-centered design curriculum. Depending on the candidate’s professional expertise, these courses may include design thinking fundamentals as well as more advanced offerings drawing from professional practices such as service design, experience design, exhibition and museum design, brand experience design, environmental graphic and wayfinding design, strategic design, systems-oriented design, or related forms of human-centered design practice.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include developing and teaching undergraduate courses; preparing syllabi, learning objectives, and instructional materials; creating and assessing student assignments and projects; maintaining office hours; and supporting student learning and success. The successful candidate will bring both university-level teaching and professional design experience to inform applied design education.
The successful candidates will be expected to maintain and continuously improve teaching effectiveness and remain flexible in meeting evolving departmental and program needs. Additional summer teaching opportunities, with separate compensation, may be available.
Key Job Responsibilities:
•
Supervises the day to day activities of work unit employees involved in instructional support as needed
•
Develops teaching techniques that enhance course effectiveness in alignment with desired outcomes and established strategy
•
Assists in defining the objectives of the program and plays a major role in carrying out program duties
•
Assists in developing techniques and/or model programs for carrying out instructional goals in disciplinary area and may help identify ways in which new techniques could be of assistance
Design career development initiatives to help students with internships and career readiness
Develop relationships with community and industry partners to build a network of employers and other stakeholders to facilitate career opportunities for students and build the reputation of the program
•
Assesses learner performance and prepares reports recommending instructional improvements
•
Provides classroom, online and/or laboratory instruction, including grading
Department: Design Studies Department
Compensation: Negotiable, 9-month
Benefits
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.
Requirements
Required Qualifications: The Teaching Faculty rank (I, II, or III) will be commensurate with professional and teaching experience.
Qualified candidates will demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
•
Previous teaching experience or transferable professional experience, with demonstrated potential to excel in higher education
•
Professional experience in art, design, or a closely related field
•
Knowledge of human-centered design processes
•
Strong visual communication and 2D design skills
•
Experience facilitating critique, co-design, workshops, or other collaborative design activities
•
Ability to communicate design concepts, processes, and rationale effectively to diverse audiences
•
Familiarity with contemporary digital design tools and professional workflows
•
Evidence of creativity, innovation, sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism
•
Ability to work effectively and collegially within a diverse academic community
Preferred Qualifications:
•
University-level studio or design teaching experience
•
Professional experience in one or more areas of human-centered design practice, such as communication design, service design, experience design, exhibition or museum design, environmental graphic design, brand experience design, or related fields
Education: A master’s degree in design or a closely related field is required. Relevant fields may include graphic or communication design, service design, interaction or experience design, architecture, or art.
How to Apply: Click the “Apply Now” button to start the application process.
To apply for this position, you will need to upload 1) a cover letter and 2) a resume that relates to this position. Your cover letter should address your qualifications as they pertain to the minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience listed above. Additional application materials may be requested at later stages in the recruitment process.
Workday has one upload area, but you can upload multiple documents to your application. We will not consider incomplete application packages that do not include the two documents requested above.
In addition, you may be asked to provide the names and contact information of three references willing to be contacted for reference checks at a later date.
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including sponsorship transfers and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need for an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This is an ongoing position that requires continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
Contact Information: Dana Clay, [email protected]
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Additional Information:
DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN STUDIES: Design Studies focuses on the production, process, and impact of design. Through scholarship, analysis, curriculum, and outreach, we advocate design as an encompassing discipline central to every aspect of life. We emphasize and promote a multi-disciplinary, global approach to design, and we value connections with other campus, community, and professional programs, both nationally and internationally. We are a vibrant community that approaches design through a broad range of disciplinary and practice-based approaches and supports undergraduate (Textile and Fashion Design; Interior Architecture; Design, Innovation, and Society) and graduate programs (MFA, PhD, and Master of Design + Innovation). Department of Design Studies
SCHOOL OF HUMAN ECOLOGY: The mission of the School of Human Ecology is to understand the complex relationships and interdependence among individuals, groups, and families, and to focus on quality-of-life issues through research, creative innovation, education, and outreach. The School has four academic departments (Civil Society and Community Studies, Consumer Science, Design Studies, and Human Development & Family Studies) with a collective enrollment of 2,175 undergraduate students and 100+ graduate students. SoHE centers include the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture, the Kohl’s Center for Retailing, and the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies. https://humanecology.wisc.edu/
UW-MADISON: UW–Madison is a land-grant institution enrolling approximately 50,000 students. Located in Madison, Wisconsin (population 285,000), the state capital combines the cultural amenities of a larger urban area with the accessibility and character of a smaller city. At the heart of UW–Madison’s mission is the Wisconsin Idea: the century-old principle that the university’s work should improve lives beyond the boundaries of campus. This guiding philosophy shapes its teaching, research, and outreach. UW–Madison is one of the nation’s 10 largest research institutions, investing more than $1 billion annually in research and discovery. Spanning the humanities, arts, social sciences, and STEM fields, this broad research enterprise is united by a common purpose: to better understand ourselves and the world around us. https://www.wisc.edu/
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
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