Lecturer in User Experience Design

Website Open Window

Fully accredited Private Higher Education offering Postgraduate, Degree and Higher Certificates qualifications in Creative Fields.

OPEN WINDOW STELLENBOSCH
Vacancy: Lecturer in User Experience Design (full-time)

(Intended starting date, January 2025)

Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of creatives and shaping the future of the digital industry? If so, this opportunity is for you!
The Department of Creative Technologies at Open Window is seeking to appoint a lecturer in User Experience Design in a permanent post at the Stellenbosch Campus.

About The Open Window

The Open Window (OW) is an accredited private higher education institution recognised for setting innovative standards in the field of visual arts and digital sciences. Founded in 1994, OW has a focus on providing a unique tertiary platform where practice-led tuition links traditional fine art practice with the applied arts. Emphasis is placed on continual innovation within curricula so as to maintain relevance in the rapidly evolving creative arts industries. Many Open Window lecturers, in addition to their academic roles, are actively engaged in creative practice – and we encourage our lecturers to maintain their links to industry. Our investment in highly qualified and industry-relevant staff is deemed critical in directing our students in work-integrated learning projects of value. 

Open Window is known for:

  • Bachelor of Creative Technologies
  • Bachelor of Film Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Visual Communication
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice

About User Experience Design at The Open Window (Department of Creative Technologies)

User Experience Design (UI /UX) is a specialisation focused on the conceptualisation and design of interactive products, systems and services unique to the digital age. The course focuses on teaching students to craft beautiful and intuitive user interfaces, develop optimal user experiences through research and testing, and ultimately bring their creations to life through pleasurable and effective digital prototypes and implementations. This course combines creative visual thinking with complex problem-solving to produce digital products such as mobile applications, websites and interactive displays. The course is characterised by a strong user-centred design philosophy and digital workflow focus.
 

Role Description:
We are interested in appointing a candidate who seeks meaningful connections through the facilitation of learning and student mentorship. The successful candidate will join an enthusiastic group of academics and professionals in Open Window’s School of Creative Technologies – an interdisciplinary school that blends creativity and technicality.

On a broad level, the candidate will be responsible for teaching the subject of User Experience Design and its various components to undergraduate students across three-year levels. This role entails the following:

General Lecturer responsibilities:

  • Facilitation of learning: Teach at an undergraduate level in the subject User Experience Design in both physical and digitally mediated environments
  • Curriculum development: Maintain and develop existing course content
  • Course content and documentation: Create and provide course related notes, briefs and other documents
  • Student support: Mentor students and provide ongoing support through contact sessions and digital channels and fostering a dynamic learning environment and nurturing students’ growth.
  • Assessment: Conduct formative and summative assessments and record and finalise student achievements within the subject
  • Event participation: Attend and participate in Open Window related events and initiatives such as open days and graduation ceremonies
  • Ideation and discussion: Participation in strategic initiatives related to teaching, creative production, research and social engagement within the Open window environment
  • Subject administration: Setup, send, record, file and backup subject-related documentation and processes
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with other lecturers and subjects in order to facilitate growth and development
  • Subject specialist: In-depth knowledge of current trends in industry, a progressive attitude in the field of user experience design and a willingness to see the field develop from an education perspective, knowledge of digital workflow and processes and human computer interaction, Information architecture,
  • Wireframing, UX research methods, techniques, processes and documentation types, as well as knowledge of Design systems

Role-related software knowledge requirements:
The role requires competency in the following software:

  • Figma and Figjam
  • Adobe Suite (Adobe XD, Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Office Suite (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
  • Mac OS competency

GENERAL BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES

  • Good interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills
  • Self-motivation and regulation
  • Strong visual intelligence and aesthetic sensibility
  • Enthusiasm towards the subject(s) and field(s)
  • Display a good grasp of the industry (locally and internationally) as well as the discourse related to the field
  • Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
  • Capable of working in a team (very important)
  • Emotional maturity and soft skills for interpersonal development of both colleagues and students
  • Problem solving and problem framing skills / ideation and conceptual abilities
  • Be able to cope under pressure, and meet deadlines
  • Be dynamic, adaptable, and a creative thinker with administrative skills

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • A minimum NQF Level 8 qualification (honours degree or equivalent) in design, UX design, multimedia, or related fields. Preference for candidates with a master’s degree.
  • An up-to-date portfolio showing relevant practical work

Added advantages for this position:

  • Practical experience in interaction design and related disciplines,
  • Experience in facilitation of learning at tertiary level / curriculum development
  • Teaching qualification / Masters qualification
  • Knowledge of Development (HTML and CSS) is an added advantage

Remuneration:

R320 000 – R400 000 per annum 

(negotiable within the indicated annual remuneration range, as commensurate with the incumbent’s overall experience and qualification level)

No additional benefits are on offer, other than a Retirement Annuity of which Open Window contributes towards.


Application Process:

To apply please send your CV, portfolio and a motivational cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position to:

Head of School: Morné Venter – morne@openwindow.co.za


Closing Date for applications is 12 November 2024

Please note

  • In support of the company’s Employment Equity plan, applicants from designated groups are encouraged to apply. 
  • No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements. 
  • Should you not receive a response within two months after the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful. 
  • The Open Window reserves the right to retract the position advertised without notice. 
  • As your application is likely to contain personal information, the documents will be handled according to OW POPIA policies, and the information will be shared with HR, interview panels, and the Academic Executive.

To apply for this job email your details to morne@openwindow.co.za.