"Continuing Education Instructor, Pattern Play: Intro to Surface Design"

Job Details

CE Overview

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

Job Description

RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets the essential competencies of an artist and designer. Our instructors respond to students in a timely manner and communicate with the discipline and division via college-provided tools and resources. We welcome instructors whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

The successful candidate should be prepared to teach in person on the RISD campus in Providence, RI to a diverse group of students from a range of disciplines. Interpersonal and leadership skills, clarity, generosity, and creativity in both personal work and teaching are essential. Candidates should be prepared to develop culturally diverse syllabi for studio and seminar courses and lead classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions that encourage students to grow creatively and intellectually.

We are looking for an instructor whose specialty is in Surface Design, to teach the dynamic and complete introduction to surface pattern design, combining traditional and digital techniques to help students create functional, seamless repeat patterns for a wide range of applications—including textiles, wallpaper, ceramics, glass, metal, and more. The successful candidate will lead adult learners to explore the full design process from sketch to final pattern, using traditional media such as collage, graphite, watercolor, and gouache to develop original motifs. In depth knowledge of 2D design principles, color theory, and illustration techniques to guide creative decision-making, while using digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to transcribe work into a repeat-ready format is a must for this role.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required. MFA preferred or equivalent in established professional practice in area of study
• A track record of paid professional experience at companies successfully doing related work, and/or a robust, creative, intellectually and critically engaged design or studio practice, as evidenced by recognition in publications, commissions, exhibitions, awards and/or collaborative projects
• In person teaching experience, including the ability to create syllabi and lesson plans, and how to tie those to learning outcomes. In person course content; syllabus, learning outcomes, tutorials, assignments and other components such as intuitive navigation, lively discussions, and meaningful feedback as part of a successful class
• Ability to develop and implement diverse teaching and learning for different learning styles and to respond to the needs of learners from a variety of educational backgrounds in a multicultural environment
• Analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills
• Accept and act upon constructive feedback from course and classroom evaluations by students and staff
• Ability to meet RISD’s technology requirements
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to develop syllabi and lead classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions, and that encourage students to grow creatively and intellectually
• In-depth knowledge of Surface Design

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Teaching experience in a collegiate or adult education setting that addresses underrepresented communities
• Ability to convey complex art engagement ideas in a clear and articulate manner for an art and design program and design concepts that serves adult students with varied skills (novice to advanced) in a condensed time frame
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring students
• Lifelong learning orientation with demonstrated interest in learning about new developments in their area of study
• Ability to empathically relate to a wide range of student perspectives and maturely handle interpersonal issues that may arise

Documents Needed to Apply:

• Resume, including a URL link for your professional portfolio
• Statement of interest preferred

Work Schedule:

Classes will be held one day a week for 6 weeks, in the evenings on the RISD campus in Providence, RI

Now hiring for the Spring 2026 semester, with classes beginning 4/21/2026- 6/6/2026

Union:

No

Work Modality:

In person

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:

CE Instructor