Phd In Design Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The School of Design of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time teaching track position in Graphic Design. Position begins in August 2026 and is based in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

As an institution focusing on the arts, media, and communication, Columbia College Chicago is a leader in design education. The School of Design is a growing school with approximately 700 student majors, 32 full-time faculty, and over 100 adjunct faculty and offers undergraduate degrees in Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Game and Interactive Media Development, and Computer Graphics/Animation, and provides courses for the math and science general education core.

The School of Design sees the future of connections between the design disciplines, practices, and pedagogies across the college through collaborations among Fashion Studies, Design Management, Illustration, Marketing, Photography, Communications, Art and Art History. Our Graphic Design program emphasizes creative problem-solving, cultural awareness, and technical excellence. Students learn to navigate both traditional craft-based approaches and cutting-edge digital practices. Our well-equipped facilities include traditional practice space, digital labs, and collaborative workspaces. We maintain strong connections with local design firms, cultural institutions, and community organizations.

The primary responsibility of this position is to teach across the curriculum in the undergraduate Graphic Design program and act as a leader in the program and institution. The ideal candidate's research and/or practice should be in digital design, typography, layout, and branding. The candidate should also engage with spaces from print to public, involving collaboration and human-centric co-creation, inclusion and accessibility, social and economic issues in production and consumption, visual narrative, informational and interpretive strategies, and a history of amplifying underrepresented voices.

In addition to ongoing expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate education. 
Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach a range of undergraduate courses in graphic design, including typography, layout, branding, print, and digital design as assigned by School Director.

• Responsibility for 24 credit hours of classes (12/12) across the academic year.

• Engage students in both traditional and contemporary digital design practices, including web design, motion graphics, UX/UI, and emerging technologies.

• Work with existing faculty to develop and refine the graphic design curriculum to ensure students gain a strong foundation in design principles, conceptual thinking, and technical skills.

• Engage with the broader professional and scholarly communities.

• Mentor and advise students, contributing to their creative, academic, and professional development, including portfolios and capstone work.

• Maintain an active creative practice, publications, client work, exhibiting work, etc.

• Remain current in the field with appropriate creative practice Collaborate with industry partners and community organizations

• Participate in service to the college, school, and design profession.

• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college's mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit here.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree (MFA, MDes, or PhD) in Graphic Design or a closely related design field. Consideration will also be given to candidates with a BA/BFA and a significant track record of professional accomplishments and experience.

• Demonstrated excellence in graphic design practice, with a strong portfolio of professional and/or creative work

Desired Qualifications

• Notable teaching experience at the college/university level, with a proven record of engaging students in both traditional and digital design methodologies

• Knowledge of current design software, technologies, and industry trends

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant's background, qualifications, and vision for the position.

• A current curriculum vitae.

• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without the applicant's prior consultation.

• Artist/Designer philosophy statement.

• Teaching philosophy statement, including current syllabi.

• Digital portfolio of professional work (up to 20 images)

• Digital portfolio of student work (up to 20 images)

• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available)

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget. 

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving roughly 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Columbia College. Located in downtown Chicago's South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. It has many competitive advantages, including a strong reputation in creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.

• This is a non-union position.

• This position is overtime exempt.

• This is an in-person position in downtown Chicago, IL.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.