Position Description

Graphic Design for Marketing Instructor

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is Canada’s only polytechnic university, proudly serving the South Fraser region for more than 40 years. With campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, KPU is deeply connected to the communities it serves and to the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of its students. Through academic excellence, applied learning, innovation, and strong industry and community partnerships, KPU prepares students for meaningful futures.

As an open-access university, KPU is powered by the people who live and work here. We believe every employee plays a meaningful role in supporting student learning and success. We are honoured to carry the name of the Kwantlen First Nation and are committed to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful relationships. As one of BC’s Top Employers, KPU is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workplace where employees feel valued, connected to purpose, and empowered to make an impact.

We invite you to explore your next career opportunity at KPU and discover how your work can contribute to a university where thought truly meets action.

FACULTY POSITION TITLE: Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) Instructor
POSITION TYPE: REGULAR (WITH 75% workload), QUALIFIED FACULTY LIST
POSITION START: SEPTEMBER 2026

FACULTY OVERVIEW

Imagine working in a new, cutting-edge facility backed by a 30-year history as an industry leader. The Wilson School of Design (WSD), located on our Richmond campus, has eight different programs that encourage students to take risks and innovate in small, personalized classes offering intensive hands-on learning experiences and state-of-the-art equipment.

Students in Graphic Design for Marketing program learn how to meet the needs of a creative brief, create branding, ad and marketing campaigns, as well as understand and convey the business strategies behind every project. Can you picture yourself working with dedicated students and colleagues integrating a fusion of creative and technical expertise, emphasizing effective communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and strategy in a collaborative classroom? Come and be a part of our team.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) proudly offers all learners opportunities to achieve success in a diverse range of programs that blend theory and practice, critical understanding, and social and ethical awareness necessary for good citizenship and rewarding careers.

KPU takes its name from the Kwantlen First Nation. We work, study, and live in a region south of the Fraser River which overlaps with the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem peoples.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program is seeking applicants who are qualified to teach one or a selection of the following courses:

GDMA 1140 Graphic Design and Society 1
GDMA 1240 Graphic Design and Society 2
GDMA 2200 Editorial Design 2
GDMA 2222 Video & Animation
GDMA 2230 Introduction to Marketing Communications
GDMA 3110 UI/UX Design 1
GDMA 3122 Interactive Technologies: Design & Development
GDMA 3140 Interactive Technologies & Society
GDMA 3220 UI/UX Design 2
GDMA 3225 Advanced Typographic Communications

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Faculty members of WSD are also expected to contribute and participate in any of the following:

Curriculum development and review.
Assisting students outside of scheduled class time.
Service and representation of the program on various university committees, internally and externally.

More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member are outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications include:

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic or Communication Design, or in a related discipline that is relevant to the Graphic Design for Marketing program. Master’s Degree preferred.
Member of DesCan (Design Professionals of Canada) or the Association of Registered Graphic Designers, and eligible for professional designation
Post-secondary teaching experience, minimum 3 years preferred or a teaching credential
Minimum of 5 years of active professional design practice that includes business, marketing and/or relevant domains and evidence of experience or expertise appropriate to specific course content

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are asked to submit:

Submit a resume and cover letter (preferably in PDF format) that includes evidence of teaching and/or design experience, as well as scholarly or industry accomplishments. The cover letter should indicate the specific course number(s) and name(s) of interest.
Provide a rationale for the selected courses. Course numbers, names, and calendar descriptions are listed below for reference.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Student focused: Demonstrates appreciation for students and the role of a learner-centered institution.
Collaborative: provides evidence of strong interpersonal communication and embracing a collaborative style of working. A team player committed to fostering consensus building towards the success of the program. Demonstrated teamwork abilities in a creative and collaborative working environment.
Leader: Strong academic leadership qualities and experience
Organizational skills: diplomatic, consultative, and democratic. Organized, pays attention to details and a multi-tasker; able to manage and prioritize multiple demands and various levels of accountability. Understands institutional policies and procedures.
Strong communicator: effective written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills: dedicated and reliable; positive and eager; flexible, open-minded, adaptable, and resilient. Confident, self-directed, pro-active, action oriented, ‘can-do’ personality. Embraces diversity. Has a sense of humour. Dedicated to creating and maintaining a motivational climate and work closely with other faculty.
Innovative: a broad, innovative, creative, and big-picture thinker

Candidates will be required to demonstrate an understanding of Graphic Design for Marketing as well as their interest and abilities to consult with and represent the program.

COURSE CALENDAR DESCRIPTIONS
Course calendar descriptions can be found at https://calendar.kpu.ca/programs-az/design/graphic-design-marketing/#coursestext

COURSE-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
GDMA 1140 Graphic Design and Society 1, GDMA 1240 Graphic Design and Society 2

Master’s degree in a related discipline preferred
Evidence of relevant academic or applied research into graphic design, visual culture, design history, or other related projects or publishing

GDMA 2200 Editorial Design 2

Experience working on printed long-form publication design as an art director
Experience creating and managing digital publications

GDMA 2222 Video & Animation

Experience working on design and production of video and animation campaigns in the last 5 years across all relevant media

GDMA 2230 Introduction to Marketing Communications

Min 3 years working in a graphic design agency or in house design. Must have been at a senior design or CD level
Experience working on agency-level campaigns across all relevant media
Experience with marketing principles and business case studies as they relate to solving marketing communications client-based challenges

GDMA 3110 UI/UX Design 1

Min 3 years working in a graphic design or digital design agency, inhouse design, software/tech or self-employed with a UI or UX design focus
Experience working with developers
Intermediate to expert Figma (or similar software) user, with an ongoing professional development plan to maintain relevant skills
A portfolio with evidence of strong UI design skills
Evidence of relevant user-centred research and testing methods

GDMA 3122 Interactive Technologies: Design & Development

A minimum of 3 years design experience at a senior level working with interactive/digital assets. Demonstrated expertise related to UX/UI design. Understanding of development systems and processes an asset

GDMA 3140 Interactive Technologies & Society

Evidence of relevant academic or applied research into design, design and technology ethics, emerging technologies, interactive experiences in public spaces, critical theory, or media theory

GDMA 3220 UI/UX Design 2

A minimum of 3 years design experience at a senior level working with interactive/digital assets. Demonstrated expertise related to UX/UI design. Understanding of development systems and processes an asset

GDMA 3225 Advanced Typographic Communications

Min 3 years working in a graphic design agency or in house design. Must have been at a senior design or CD level
Experience working with typography across print and screen
Experience with longform publication design and production skills
Advanced InDesign skills preferred
Experience with Figma, After Effects or other application of type with motion preferred
Evidence of ongoing typographic research or practice into trends, licensing, contemporary foundries and/or type designers

*SALARY INFORMATION:
Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience. Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.

This competition is for a maximum FTE of 75% (Regular). When possible, priority will be given to the candidate(s) who can maximize the FTE either individually, or collectively, as such please indicate on your application your preferred workload percentage. This competition could also be used to add candidates to our Qualified Faculty List, therefore also please indicate on your application if you are interested in being added to this list.

Total Rewards

As a part of our total rewards offerings, KPU also offers extended health and dental benefits, healthcare spending account, generous vacation package, defined pension plan, parenthood top-up, sick leave, long-term disability, life insurance, professional development days, tuition waiver, inhouse training & development, inter-campus transportation, and more!

Note: Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time.

Visit https://www.kpu.ca/hr for more information on KPU’s workplace, culture and total rewards.

Note to Applicants

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.