Vacancy: Professorship for Information Design

In the summer term of 2020, a professorship (grade W2 according to the Hessian Salary Act) is to be filled in the field of Information Design at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach, at first for a limited period of six years. The Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main is an University of Art and Design of the state of Hesse and endowed with the right to award doctorates.

In the School of Design, students are taught in the main areas of Technical Products and Product Systems, Integrated Design, Visualization and Materialization, Design Theory and Design History, Cultural and Technical Theory, Aesthetics, Design and Brand Strategy, Technology in Design, Interaction Design, Design Curating and Intercultural Design Projects. The classes take place in the dynamic field of tension between science and practice. Basic and advanced projects lead to both disciplinary and interdisciplinary design research and practice. In addition to the above-mentioned focal points, the Information Design is an equal teaching and research area in the field of design.

Information design is about designing information in such a way that it can be used unmistakably, directly and effectively and in a way that is appropriate for the target group. This involves the development of coherent symbol strategies and networks that enable interaction between people and products as well as people and technical systems. In a broader sense, information can also be the basis of creative concepts. In the wake of their increasing complexity and relevance, processes and systems are able to provide the framework for how people interact with each other in the future. They may also become responsible for how social relationships develop. Accordingly, information design is based on an extended concept of action and can go far beyond the realm of language, knowledge and culture in the application of its tools. 

The horizon of information design is multidimensional in its core origin. The application spectrum of information design is manifold and limitless, so that the teaching of information design must undergo a continuous adaptation to technological developments and social relevance. At the same time, new challenges for designing information are to be anticipated experimentally in research. We also have to keep in mind that the teaching area is related to the options as well as to the restrictions of sensory relationships and informational spaces: accordingly, the design tasks are also associated with perception-relevant questions. Complying with a required responsibility in the field of design, universal and inclusive strategies are an essential part of an innovative scientific specialization in design studies.

An active participation in the further development of the discipline of design, the curriculum in design and the participation in the self-administration of the School of design and the university as a whole is assumed.

Qualification

A university degree in design is a prerequisite for employment. You are expected to have extensive knowledge and experience in design practice as well as in research and teaching in the field of information design. Project experience in questions of information design in networked and virtual systems should be proven extensively. Knowledge in coding is desired.

The School of Design at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main is looking for a designer with special professional aptitude and motivation for researching scientific findings in information design and excellent practical skills in practice as well as teaching them in the basic and project modules to be offered.

The recruitment requirements are laid down in §§ 61 and 62 of the Hessian Higher Education Act. The full-time position has a teaching load of 18 SWS according to §3 Abs.3 LVVO (Hessen). The appointment is at first limited to six years. A later conversion into a lifetime professorship is possible. The Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main aims to increase the participation of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore expressly welcome. Applicants with disabilities within the meaning of § 2 Para. 2 SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications.

Applications with relevant documents are to be sent (only by post) under the code number 91 until 03.02.2020 to the President of the University of Art and Design Offenbach am Main, Schlossstraße 31, D-63065 Offenbach am Main, Germany.