Graduate Studies Adjunct faculty – Digital Visualization Techniques for CMF Design

STATUS: Part Time
DIVISION: Graduate Studies
REPORTS TO: Chair of Color and Material Design
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

College for Creative Studies (CCS) invites applications for adjunct faculty to teach a Digital Visualization for CMF Design course in the Fall of 2025.

The Graduate Color & Materials Design program at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) seeks an experienced designer-educator to teach the course Digital Visualization for CMF Design. This course prepares graduate students to apply and visualize color, material, and finish (CMF) concepts across a range of product categories using industry-standard visualization tools. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical rendering skills with a conceptual understanding of CMF design strategy, storytelling, and presentation.

Experience teaching at the college or university level is preferred. Experience with Canvas is an advantage. The post requires in-person teaching on campus – please do not apply if you are interested in remote working.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Deliver high-level instruction on the application of CMF to 3D product forms using tools such as Adobe Photoshop and 3D rendering software (e.g., Keyshot, VRED, Blender, etc.)
Guide students in developing visually compelling, portfolio-ready presentations that communicate CMF intent across multiple views and configurations.
Teach students how to accurately map color, materials, finishes, textures, and patterns onto 3D surfaces.
Emphasize lighting, form, and surface qualities to enhance realism and storytelling in visual outputs.
Provide ongoing critiques and support that foster advanced technical growth and critical thinking.
Collaborate with full-time faculty to align course outcomes with the department’s pedagogical goals.
Maintain regular communication with students and assess their work based on clearly defined learning objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree (MFA, MA, MDes) in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, CMF Design, Product Visualization, or a related field. (Candidates with a BA/BS and significant professional experience may also be considered.)
3+ years of professional experience in CMF design, digital product visualization, or related practice.
Demonstrated proficiency in Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Autodesk VRED, and Blender.
Strong visual storytelling skills with a clear understanding of material mapping, lighting, and surface qualities.
Experience producing high-quality, client- or studio-ready visualizations and design presentations.
Previous teaching experience at the college or graduate level preferred.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams within design, especially in CMF, transportation, or industrial design sectors.
Familiarity with CMF trends, color forecasting, and storytelling strategies.
Ability to critique and mentor students from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds.
A personal design practice or research focus that aligns with sustainability, innovation, or visualization futures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT CCS

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value what this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. We encourage applications from all.

To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format: Please submit the following materials:

Letter of interest outlining relevant experience and teaching philosophy
Curriculum vitae or resume
Portfolio (professional and/or student work examples)
Contact information for three references

Application materials should be submitted to: [email protected]