Job Description:

The Illustration and Interactive Media Department seeks a full-time, tenure-track faculty member who is an experienced illustrator/visual artist actively engaged in creating imagery in a range of specialized disciplines and platforms that include editorial and commercial print and online media; sequential, key and concept art for games and animation; production art for film and television; character design; experiential exhibition design, and individual and group art exhibitions.

The ideal candidate will be a highly creative artist and educator whose work and teaching reflect a strong understanding of fundamentals including anatomy, composition, color theory, form and space. The faculty member will be expected to teach and lead both in their specialties and foundation courses. The faculty member will work collaboratively to contribute and maintain a high level of creativity, academic excellence, and pedagogical and technological innovation.

In the conceptual process, the candidate will teach through demonstration and by example from their professional experience, the techniques of research, exploring multiple narrative and editorial directions, developing visual solutions and determining an aesthetic approach that best communicates the ideas they choose or are commissioned to convey.

As a practicing and teaching artist, the ideal candidate understands the importance of embracing diverse cultural backgrounds, thought processes and social issues that inform their work and the work of their students.

Specific competencies sought as related to the position:

Globalism

Demonstrate an understanding of how illustrators, as visual communicators, can educate and influence public perception and beliefs that influence global issues with national and international impact.
Demonstrate an understanding of world and national history, as well as current events, as a means of context and perspective for effective decision-making in the role of visual communicator and illustrator.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the benefits and opportunities of networking with the New York City Creative District and incorporate distinguished guest speakers and class field trips to local museums, galleries and other educational resources as means of enhancing class material and student learning experiences.
Demonstrate awareness of and respect for racial, ethnic, religious, social, and gender diversity, and incorporate this into the pedagogical experience.
Demonstrate ability to develop student awareness in the classroom environment for cultural diversity, and the need to respect all racial, ethnic, religious and social groups, in support of diversity and equity, in the classroom as well as in professional circles.
Demonstrate experience working with people of racial, ethnic, religious, social, and gender diversity in support of the education of a diverse student population.
Demonstrate the ability to share extensive knowledge of art history in both Western and non-Western contexts, as well as current practices, approaches, and movements in the contemporary art world, demonstrating appreciation for cultural diversity and a positive approach to cultural differences.
Demonstrate an understanding of the global nature of today's illustration discipline.
Demonstrate an awareness of professional, ethical and social responsibility.

Instructional Design

Demonstrate ability to implement the newly redesigned Illustration curriculum by teaching students to apply the creative power of new classroom technology while synchronously incorporating the integration of traditional illustration skills and techniques in conjunction with digital media in class assignments and projects.
Demonstrate ability to teach students how to integrate, synthesize, and utilize information and skills from various disciplines including photography, design, animation, film, writing, social sciences, world history, art history, and resources such as the Web, in the creative process of stimulating and effective visual communication images and illustrations.
Demonstrate ability to design engrossing class assignments and other learning experiences to enhance information literacy and research skills, as well as challenge preconceptions, foster experimentation, cultivate critical thinking and advanced problem-solving abilities and inspire students' creativity, innovation and imagination.
Demonstrate ability to be an effective verbal communicator and speaker who conducts enlightening and thought-provoking lectures, presentations, demonstrations and critiques, as well as applies current communication, research and promotional resources, strategies, and technologies, in particular, digitally.
Demonstrate the ability to teach a breadth of 2D processes to all levels of undergraduate students.
Implement an academically rigorous experience by incorporating professional and business practices in classroom learning.
Develop a variety of assessment methods for student work to capture various learning styles in the classroom.
Serve as an active contributor to curricular assessment and development.
Maintain strong connections within the discipline to provide currency and to introduce and integrate new methodologies into the curriculum.
Utilize the college's learning management system to maintain information required for assessment monitoring.
Demonstrate commitment to student-centeredness with active participation in student work reviews, and provide constructive feedback, assessment, and guidance.
Incorporate instructional variety to service students of different learning styles, abilities, demographics, and diversity.

Learning Enrichment

Demonstrate and generate an excitement and passion for teaching, illustrating and learning that inspires students to experiment, innovate and create.
Demonstrate ability to formulate and create a clear and concise class syllabus to enable and empower students to maximize their potential academically and creatively.
Demonstrate integration of knowledge of industry and entrepreneurship in classes, and personal career development strategies and experiences, to support and encourage students' creative and professional interest and progress.
Demonstrate currency in the discipline, incorporating innovative technology in instructional pedagogy and changes into a progressive curriculum.
Incorporate industry developments, technology updates and illustration applications into the curriculum, and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching.
Contribute to ongoing student centeredness through mentorship and advisement.
Demonstrate the ability to support different student learning styles and abilities.
Model and guide professional development and facilitate student engagement with the illustration community within and beyond FIT.

Professionalism

Demonstrate active and continued engagement in professional, creative and scholarly work and activities aligned with the discipline of illustration in the competitive graphic arts business, and that inform and enhance the discipline.
Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of established and emerging industry practices and their relevance to the illustration markets.
Demonstrate expertise in the application of entrepreneurial skills, a comprehensive understanding of copyright and other laws as they relate to intellectual property, and current knowledge of billing practices, asset management, marketing and promotional protocols.
Maintain active participation and engagement in discipline-related activities that inform and enhance the discipline.
Demonstrate expertise in the application of entrepreneurial skills, a comprehensive understanding of copyright and other laws as they relate to intellectual property, and current knowledge of billing practices, asset management, marketing and promotional protocols.
Maintain and foster a cultivated network of alumni and experts in the discipline who will serve as a resource for internships, mentors, curriculum development, guest speakers and placement opportunities for graduates.
Demonstrate currency and engagement in the teaching discipline.
Model professional behavior that prepares students for entry into related fields.
Demonstrate ability to apply professional expertise in the continued advancement of the program, including curriculum, and program assessment and development, and program expansion into other areas of illustration applications and markets.
Demonstrate collaboration and engagement in contributing to and participating in administrative and committee service for the department, the school, and the college.

Technology

Utilize course management systems and demonstrate capability and currency in utilizing technology in the classroom/studio, emerging technology in the discipline, and professional use in illustration applications in the graphic arts business.
Possess discipline-specific technology skills and demonstrate expertise and effective utilization of technology and software in illustration to deliver course material and convey practical learning experiences to students.
Demonstrate ability to inspire students' imaginations and educate them in further developing the integration of traditional with digital illustration proficiencies consistent with current industry standards and protocols.
Demonstrate the dynamic application of digital technology to serve as a research tool on the Web for illustration assignments, in developing concepts, and conveying visual communication illustrations.
Demonstrate the effective use of technology and electronic information systems in the illustration hybrid classroom environment.
Demonstrate interest and commitment in areas of emerging technologies in illustration.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of six (6) years professional experience as an illustrator in one or more visual storytelling media.
Candidates must present a currently active professional record demonstrating agility in adapting to new modes of visual storytelling and an aptitude for adopting new technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

Terminal degree in illustration, fine arts, design or other visual art discipline.
Three to five (3-5) years of college-level teaching.

Additional Information:

Please note, all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

The final starting salary and appointment rank will be based on education level and cumulative experience; Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Salary Schedules pg. 72.

Instructor: $59,673- $69,524
Assistant Professor: $69,475- $102,388
Associate Professor: $81,317- $122,427
Professor: $99,159- $149,217

The College reserves the right to select one or more candidates after having been duly reviewed and presented to the President in conformance with the provisions of Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

Retirement Plans
Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Account
Commuter Benefit Plan
FIT Tuition Exemption Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged.Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements

This position will be required to constantly read and comprehend, occasionally perform calculations, constantly verbally communicate, frequently analyze, and constantly write. The working conditions for this position will be any combination of the classroom, lab, and/or office space. Certain roles may be required to handle machinery and chemicals. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasional lifting 10 lbs. or less.

Application Instructions:

In order to considered for this position, please submit the following documents online:

Letter of interest clearly indicating your qualifications for the position
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching Philosophy Statement
A digital portfolio in PDF format (less than 10 MB) with examples of your work or URL to a professional portfolio.
Unofficial Transcript*
A minimum of three professional references, including names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail contact information.

*Official transcripts are required within the first 30 days of hire. Applicants with foreign degrees must submit a completed credential evaluation comparing their foreign academic accomplishments to standards in the U.S.

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application materials.

This faculty position will begin Fall 2024. Review of applications will commence in Fall 2023 and continue until the position is filled, or until April 2024.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding his or her application status.

Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: