Job: Graphic Design Faculty in Arabic/Multilingual Typography

Jobing Description

Description: VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Painting & Printmaking and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Design Studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.

VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. The university has since been joined by Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, and HEC Paris.

Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the citys Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (MATHAF) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.

Position Description:
The Graphic Design Department at VCUQatar seeks a full-time faculty member to teach courses in the graphic design program at all undergraduate levels with the following focus: Candidates with demonstrated knowledge and teaching experience in/with multilingual typographic treatments including focus on Arabic typography, Arabic/Latin type design and Arabic type history. Candidates must show proficiency with software and technology appropriate to the contemporary practice of design. Additional experience in creative 3D manifestations such as packaging/exhibition/experiential design would be welcome and encouraged. We are searching for a candidate who promotes a culture of learning and teaching design in a multi-cultural context with thorough attention and aptitude to supporting, developing and promoting cultural diversity. We will look for dedication and accountability to this approach in the candidates teaching philosophy.

This candidate will join a team of eight highly collaborative and dynamic faculty members in the Department of Graphic Design. The design curriculum is based on the well-respected VCU course of study including a global sensibility. VCUQatar prides itself on being responsive to the educational, business, cultural and communication needs of Qatar, the Gulf region, and the Middle East. The students are diverse, are admitted to the university on a competitive basis and into the Graphic Design major by portfolio and interview. Faculty teach 15 semester credit loads per year, engage in the development and delivery of significant research, contribute to the function and educational objectives of the department, serve as academic advisers, provide service to the university, the community in Qatar and the profession, and perform all other duties as assigned.

Sample Courses this candidate may teach include:
Typography I and II (Sophomore/Junior + Senior level electives)
Print I and II (Junior level)
Form and Communication (Sophomore level)
History of Graphic Design
Senior level Graphic Design electives
Qualifications: MFA preferred, or equivalent graduate degree and professional experience,
Minimum of two years proven higher education teaching experience
Professional experience and expertise in Arabic typography, multilingual typography and type design
Knowledge of history of Arabic typography and design, and experience in 2D/3D digital skills.
The top candidate will possess strong collaboration and communication skills and will interact closely with an interdisciplinary teaching and research faculty community.
Candidates must show interest in collaborative teaching and learning experiences.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU and VCUQatar.

Application Process: Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest with a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, 20 examples of personal work and 20 examples of student work, unofficial transcripts, and the names of five references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree L. Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted. Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information on VCUQatar and this unique international opportunity, please visit www.vcu.edu/arts/employment/qatar
For Additional Information: Tomaree L. Porter Phone:804-827-1152 Fax:804-827-0683 Web:http://arts.vcu.edu