The School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech is seeking a faculty member / Professor of Practice to oversee and help re-launch FourDesign, a student-run, faculty-led graphic design agency established as a university center. The successful candidate will be responsible for directing the center and its operations including production management and creative direction. Additional responsibilities include teaching within the undergraduate curriculum, engaging in creative scholarship, participating in committees and outreach opportunities, and handling assigned administrative duties.

The director of FourDesign teaches a dedicated FourDesign class each semester to in-major students; with additional teaching responsibilities (not to exceed 2/2) based on programmatic/FourDesign needs.

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track position with the possibility of renewal and promotion. Mandatory teaching responsibilities will be in Fall and Spring. Summer effort will include student internship management and client maintenance.

SOVA is housed within the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD) at Virginia Tech, a comprehensive land grant research university in Blacksburg, Virginia. SOVA has approximately 275 undergraduate majors within four areas (Graphic Design, Creative Technologies, Studio Art, and Art History). The Graphic Design program has five full-time faculty and about 100 majors. It has been included in GDUSA’s “Top Graphic Design Schools'' for the last six years.

Key Responsibilities:
● Direct and oversee the FourDesign Center, ensuring its smooth operation and high-quality student-led design work that meets industry standards.
● Guide and mentor students through the design process, providing creative direction and feedback on their work.
● Oversee client projects, managing the production process to ensure timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.
● Oversee graphic design student internships, a requirement for graduation of the graphic design program at Virginia Tech.
● Facilitate student industry partnerships, community connections, and research opportunities.
● Teach within the undergraduate curriculum, including the instructional component of the FourDesign program.
● Participate in committees and outreach opportunities, representing the School of Visual Arts and FourDesign Center.
● Collaborate with other programs within the School of Visual Arts and College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, including Studio Art, Art History, Creative Technologies, and Material Culture and Public Humanities, to develop interdisciplinary projects and initiatives.
● Handle assigned administrative duties, such as managing budgets, scheduling, and coordinating events (such as DesignUP, Virginia Tech’s annual philanthropic design-a-thon) and activities.
● Regularly meet with faculty, staff, and administrators to discuss the FourDesign Center’s progress and goals.

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.