Description
The Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Entertainment Art/Animation with appointment to begin Fall 2021
California State University, Fullerton is a minority-serving institution, and an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.
CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primary responsibility of this instructional faculty member is to teach, and additional responsibilities may include development of, introductory and core courses in the Entertainment Art/Animation concentration with a focus on character animation as it serves animation storytelling. Specific courses that this person will teach include: The Principles of Animation, Intermediate Character Animation, Animation Preproduction, Animation Production, and Special Studies in Entertainment Art/Animation. This person will also be responsible for producing scholarship / creative work commensurate with the requirements for tenure. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.
Required Qualifications
- MFA or equivalent degree from an accredited institution in animation or a related discipline; or a BA or BFA degree along with significant, sustained, and exemplary professional experience
- A minimum of three years animation industry experience with evidence of studio experience in the production of character-based animation
- Evidence of knowledge of the character animation filmmaking process and animation layout design including how an animation camera works
- Demonstrated proficiency in life-drawing/exceptional draftsmanship and traditionally drawn character animation practices
- Demonstrated proficiency in storyboarding for animation—showing a strong interest in story-telling and the use of character animation as a story-telling tool
- Demonstrated proficiency in 2D Digital and 3D Digital character animation practices using tools such as Autodesk Maya, ToonBoom Harmony, Adobe Creative Suite (especially After Effects and Premiere), Adobe Animate, and/or TV Paint
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to a positive working environment and work collaboratively with colleagues and community
- Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching of a very diverse student population, including first-generation college students
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two years or more of college-level teaching experience in courses specifically relevant to the position.
- Experience in the application of VR tools (such as Quill) in the creation of animation art.
- Knowledge/experience in ToonBoom Storyboard Pro and/or Clip Studio Paint EX
- Demonstrated evidence of leadership, communication, organizational, and management skills, which might include successful recruitment and outreach efforts
- A strong record of creative and scholarly accomplishments in the field of animation
- Demonstrated knowledge and critical appreciation of historical and contemporary animation forms
Application Procedure
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission in order to receive consideration. To apply, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/faculty.php to complete the required online Fullerton application, search for position #498582, and provide the following required materials:
- Letter of application responding to your experience related to the required and preferred qualifications within the Entertainment Art/Animation discipline and discussing your teaching philosophy and pedagogical practices
- Curriculum Vitae in an academic format (graphically designed vitas are not preferred)
- Candidate Statement on Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:
- Diversity, Inclusion and Equity are fundamental to the mission of CSUF. Diversity, as reflected in our student body, refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and viewpoints that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, religion, language, differing abilities, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and more. Please discuss how you would include anti-racist and inclusive policies in your teaching and pedagogy, to create a just and equitable classroom. Explain how your experiences and/or qualifications enhance your ability to contribute to the students, faculty, and staff who are members of our diverse CSUF community.
- A list of three references with relevant contact information (please include email addresses and phone numbers).
Semi-Finalists:
Semi-finalists will be asked to submit additional information:
- Digital portfolio and reel demonstrating the candidate’s expertise as a practicing animation artist
- Portfolios and reels must include work completed within the past 5-years (in addition, older examples may also be included). Please date all samples
- Document the contents of the reel with a shot list clearly specifying what you were responsible for in the material presented
- Storyboard work should include 5-10 samples of storyboard work (not pages, but discreet storyboard samples from selected productions)
- Include 5-10 pages of life drawing and/or 5-10 animal life drawings
- Samples of other animation related art are welcome, including layouts, character designs, prop designs, etc.
- The portfolio should provide evidence of professional experience as a character animator, and should include evidence of practice in: 3D Digital character animation using Autodesk Maya; 2D Digital character animation, drawn character animation using paper and pencil, story-telling, and layout
- Digital portfolio of 20 examples of relevant student work (if available)
Finalists:
- Over a one-day period, finalists will be invited to participate in a series of interviews, teaching demonstrations, and talks via Zoom
- Finalists will be asked to critique student works provided (zoom presentation)
- Additional material such as current course outlines, course assignments, and rubrics may also be requested
- Finalists will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit should you move forward to this phase of the search
- On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. A request via email along with information on uploading the letter will be sent. You will be able to verify that each letter has been received by CSUF by logging back into the recruitment system. Please do not submit letters of recommendation until asked to do so
Please do not send additional materials until requested to do so. The semi-finalists and finalists for the position will be contacted when to submit and are required to submit all materials for full consideration.
Please direct all questions about the position to: Dale A. Merrill, Dean, College of the Arts at dmerrill@fullerton.edu with “Entertainment Art Animation” in the subject line or call 657-278-3256.
Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2021 and will continue until the position has been filled. The anticipated appointment date is August 16, 2021.
Additional Information
Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, and is subject to budgetary authorization and any California State University System faculty contract increases. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner and dependent fee-waiver; access to campus child-care; and a defined-benefit retirement through the state system along with optional tax sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator (http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php)