Black History Month: 28 Black Design Leaders, Thinkers and Advocates

by NPR STAFF

If you pay attention to the Emmys and Academy Awards, then you’ve probably seen those glamorous, haute couture gowns made by Kevan Hall. He’s known for dressing A-listers like Vanessa Williams, Salma Hayek, Celine Dion — even first lady Michelle Obama.

His work has earned him multiple awards. After studying fashion design at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, he won a scholarship sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. After graduating, he won the Peacock Award for Outstanding Fashion Design. In 1989, the NAACP named him the Great American Designer, and in 2005, Life & Style Magazine named him Stylemaker of the Year.

Among the handful of top African-American designers in the country, Hall centers his work in Los Angeles. He’ll be showing off his 2012 bridal and ready-to-wear collections Friday at the Washington Club in the nation’s capital.

More here.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, GRAPHIC DESIGN, SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS, FULL-TIME, TENURE-TRACK, EXEMPT, JOB # 2069

October 2011

Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) is an independent art college with undergraduate programs in architecture, design, fine arts, visual studies, and writing.  The college also has graduate programs in architecture, curatorial practice, design, design strategy, fine arts, visual and critical studies and writing.  Through these programs, the college has created a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment.  Diverse cultural perspectives enrich the CCA community and the college believes that continuing to expand the horizons of the students and faculty is essential to achieving its educational objectives.  With campuses in Oakland and San Francisco, CCA currently enrolls 1,930 full-time students.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Graphic Design Program at CCA offers a fully accredited four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. The program is dedicated to conceptual and skill-based problem-solving grounded in practical knowledge, critical awareness, and social and cultural engagement. Guided by an active and accomplished faculty, students are exposed to diverse design perspectives and practices and encouraged to develop a culturally competent and personally committed point of view. CCA’s Interaction Design Program takes a studio-based, collaborative, and playful approach to training future interaction designers, equipping them with a unique mix of skills to shape their field. The Graduate Program in Design prepares its graduates for careers in innovative design practice, including design direction, strategy, and leadership. Situated at the heart of the Bay’s Area’s vibrant design culture, these programs benefit from a rich community of practitioners and a compelling context for projects.

POSITION SUMMARY:

CCA seeks candidates for a full-time, tenure-track position of assistant professor of graphic design, beginning fall 2012. This position has been created to support the development of the program’s 4D curriculum. The successful candidate will demonstrate an active interest in the evolving relationship between graphic design and screen-based media and a capacity to steer curricular and pedagogical change in this area.

In keeping with the college’s commitment to diversity, community engagement, and social justice, we seek candidates who will cultivate an equitable studio environment and a diverse curriculum. In addition to teaching (a full-time load is five lines per year) and participating in the undergraduate Graphic Design program, the position requires a readiness to teach in the Interaction Design, Graduate Design, and First Year Programs, mentor students in the major, and serve on college-wide committees. It also entails a commitment to continued professional work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A BFA degree in Graphic Design (or equivalent professional degree and/or experience) with a minimum of one year of teaching experience at the college level or two years of professional experience in the field. Applicants should present evidence of leadership ability and the potential to make significant contributions in their field of practice. They should have a strong commitment to design education and a keen interest in design-related technologies. Specifically, CCA seeks candidates who demonstrate conceptual agility and practical aptitude with respect to the dynamics linking graphic design and screen-based media. Please submit at least five projects that provide evidence of front- and/or back-end skills and practice in one or more of the following areas: interface, interaction, video, motion graphics, or mobile/other platforms. Professional and/or educational experience in collaborative interdisciplinary contexts, project-based community engagement, and design writing and research are also desirable.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Postmark deadline for applications is January 20, 2012.

NOTE: If you wish to be notified of the status of your application for this position, please provide a current email address on your resume or cover letter.

application instructions:

Interested candidates should submit the following in .pdf format:

• A formal letter of application
• A brief statement of teaching philosophy highlighting areas of pedagogic concentration
• A curriculum vitae
• A portfolio of professional work
• Course syllabi and student work
• Student evaluations of recent courses taught at the college level.
• Three names of reference, including contact information

Note: A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required for return of submission materials.

California College of the Arts

Human Resources (Job # 2069)

5212 Broadway

Oakland, CA 94618-1487

Fax (510) 594-3681

employment@cca.edu

We recommend compressing/zipping your files into a zip format file.  Documents larger than 10MB, should be submitted on CD and forwarded to CCA as indicated above.

CCA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.

CHAIR, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS, FULL-TIME, EXEMPT, JOB # 1968

October 2011

The CCA Industrial Design program
The Industrial Design program at CCA offers a fully accredited four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design. Industrial Design is among the fastest growing programs at CCA and reflects the dynamic nature of the field. Specific areas of interest include sustainability, urban mobility, design research, community engagement, and cultural analysis.  For more information about the program mission, visithttp://www.cca.edu/academics/industrial-design

California College of the Arts (CCA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Industrial Design Program.

The profession of industrial design is expanding to more areas of influence than ever before. Designers have the opportunity to impact social, environmental and political outcomes. Consequently, the way we educate designers matters now more than ever. Merging visionary leadership, curriculum development, and professional and community connections, the Industrial Design Chair plays an essential role in shaping the next generation of industrial designers, who will tackle some of the most pressing concerns of our time.

The Chair of Industrial Design is a key player in the CCA and surrounding communities with access to the Bay Area’s most notable practitioners. The successful candidate will approach the development of a practical and critical design curriculum as a creative and intellectual opportunity and demonstrate a capacity to incorporate diverse cultural and practical perspectives in shaping curriculum, directing pedagogy, and building community.

The chair position is a full-time position throughout the 9.5-month academic year. A program manager provides administrative and organizational support, and faculty coordinators assist with specific aspects of the program, including internships, student reviews, technology support, sustainability and semantics. The director and assistant director of Design provide guidance and oversight for curriculum development, faculty selection, scheduling and accreditation reviews.

Specific Responsibilities of the Chair of Industrial Design

• Lead the program in attracting and retaining the most promising Industrial Design students.
• Design a curriculum that combines skills acquisition, design research, conceptual thinking, and professional preparation.
• Encourage collaboration between Industrial Design and other CCA programs.
• Establish external relationships with the professional design community, including sponsored studio partnerships.
• Promote the visibility of the Industrial Design program locally, nationally and globally.
• Hire and mentor faculty to reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
• Organize subject-specific student workshops throughout the academic year.
• Teach at least one class per semester.
• Direct the academic and administrative operations of the program.
• Oversee ongoing program assessment and prepare for accreditation reviews.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Professional experience in the field of industrial design and its related practices: research, prototyping, manufacturing, materials, sustainability, human factors, interaction, design history and criticism, etc. Experience in design education, including teaching and a demonstrated capacity for curricular and extracurricular program development. Proven management experience in an academic or professional setting.

The ideal candidate will articulate a vision for the future of the program and the field that merges creativity, curiosity and craft. He/she will demonstrate the ability to lead faculty, students and staff, and address diverse design practices that combine professional development, cultural awareness, and community engagement.

SALARY: Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Review of applications will begin January 17th, 2012. Recommended document file formats are Word or PDF. If there are multiple attachments, we recommend compressing/zipping your files into a zip format file. NOTE:  If you wish to be notified of the status of your application for this position, please provide a current email address on your resume or cover letter.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are invited to submit their CV and a letter of interest that addresses their vision for the future of Industrial Design, in both education and the profession, as well as their philosophy of leadership and pedagogy. Applicants should also submit the names and contact information of three professional and academic references. Submit materials to:

California College of the Arts

Human Resources (Job # 1968)

5212 Broadway

Oakland, CA 94618-1487

Fax (510) 594-3681

employment@cca.edu

Recommended document file formats are Word or PDF.  If there are multiple attachments, we recommend compressing/zipping your files into a zip format file.  Documents larger than 10MB, should be submitted on CD and forwarded to CCA as indicated above.

CCA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.

Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) is an independent art college with undergraduate programs in architecture, design, fine arts, visual studies, and writing.  The college also has graduate programs in architecture, curatorial practice, design, design strategy, fine arts, visual and critical studies and writing.  Through these programs, the college has created a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment.  Diverse cultural perspectives enrich the CCA community and the college believes that continuing to expand the horizons of the students and faculty is essential to achieving its educational objectives.  With campuses in Oakland and San Francisco, CCA currently enrolls 1,930 full-time students.

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