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Position Title:
Visual and Media Instructional Designer
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Instructional & Media Designer
Job Duties:
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Assists with the design and development of engaging, effective learning experiences which may be face-to-face, blended, and/or online
Instructional & Media Designer Link to Official Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The University of Wisconsin–Stout invites applications for a Visual & Media Instructional Designer to join our Multi‑Modal Instructional Designer team. This position plays a critical role in advancing high‑quality, engaging, and accessible learning experiences across online, hybrid, and in‑person courses/training.
This position is predominantly on-site and not remote, with a primary focus on visual design for e‑learning, user experience (UX), and the implementation of accessibility-first practices. The successful candidate will bring strong visual communication skills to instructional design work—translating learning goals into clear, intuitive, and visually compelling course experiences that support diverse learners. Working collaboratively with faculty, subject matter experts, and campus partners, the Visual and Media Instructional Designer helps ensure UW‑Stout courses are pedagogically sound, visually coherent, and inclusive by design.
Consistent with UW‑Stout’s polytechnic mission, this position values applied learning, innovation, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum / Required
- Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, education, instructional technology, visual design, or a related field.
- Experience designing instructional materials for in‑person, online, and hybrid learning environments, with strong visual design skills for digital learning (layout, graphics, multimedia).
- Demonstrated application of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices in digital learning.
- Proficiency with design and media tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro), Canva, or similar platforms.
- Strong communication and organizational skills, with experience collaborating with faculty, staff, or cross‑functional teams.
- Experience using Canvas or other learning management systems (e.g., Moodle, D2L, Blackboard, SAP, Workday).
- Experience applying instructional design frameworks (e.g., ADDIE, SAMR), including familiarity with using AI in instructional design workflows.
Highly Desired/Preferred
- Experience designing accessible visual systems (templates, style guides, reusable components) for online courses.
- Application of HTML and CSS for instructional content customization.
- Experience developing HTML5/H5P style interactions
- Experience with integrating AR/VR or other emerging technologies in education.
- Strong project management skills and experience leading instructional initiatives.
- Experience creating AI applications for instructional design and learning.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional & Learning Experience Design
- Collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts to design engaging, learner‑centered courses for online, hybrid, and in‑person delivery.
- Apply instructional design principles to align learning objectives, assessments, activities, and media with course outcomes.
- Translate complex concepts into clear, intuitive learning experiences through effective layout, visual hierarchy, and multimedia integration.
- Evaluate and implement emerging pedagogical approaches and technologies, including AI‑supported tools and XR (AR/VR) applications, where appropriate.
Visual Design for E‑Learning
- Serve as a visual design partner within instructional design projects, creating cohesive layouts, graphics, infographics, icons, and multimedia assets that enhance comprehension and engagement.
- Apply principles of typography, color theory, contrast, spacing, and visual hierarchy to improve clarity, consistency, and usability of course materials.
- Design and maintain reusable visual components, templates, and design systems that support consistency across courses while allowing flexibility for instructional needs.
- Ensure visual alignment with UW‑Stout branding and quality standards across instructional materials.
Accessibility & Inclusive Design
- Design instructional and media assets using an accessibility‑first approach, ensuring materials meet recognized accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG and ADA).
- Apply inclusive visual design practices such as sufficient color contrast, readable typography, alternative text for images, captioned and described media, and keyboard‑accessible interactions.
- Review instructional materials for accessibility and usability, recommending and implementing improvements based on best practices and user feedback.
- Support faculty in understanding and applying accessible design principles in their courses.
Faculty Support & Professional Development
- Provide consultation, training, and resources for faculty and staff related to instructional design, visual design for learning, accessibility, and educational technologies.
- Develop and deliver professional development workshops, guides, and learning resources focused on effective, accessible course design.
- Partner with instructors to iteratively improve courses based on feedback, evaluation data, and learner needs.
Project Management & Innovation
- Manage multiple instructional design projects simultaneously, balancing timelines, scope, and stakeholder needs.
- Contribute to team initiatives focused on instructional quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Stay current with trends in instructional design, visual design, accessibility, and educational technology.
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
The Instructional Design team at UW‑Stout supports teaching and learning across all modalities through collaborative course design, integration of emerging technologies, and faculty development. The team works closely with instructors to enhance instructional quality, advance accessibility, and support innovative teaching practices aligned with UW‑Stout’s polytechnic mission.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Complete applications received by end of day, 4/26/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after this date may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee until the position is filled.
To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs
Required application materials:
- Cover letter (* See below)
- Resume. You must include a link to your professional portfolio at the top of your resume.
All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.
*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Clayton Benjamin
Phone: 715-232-1291
Email: [email protected]
If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Roberta White
Phone: 715-232-1800
Email: [email protected]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Official transcripts required at time of hire.
Guidelines to ensure consideration:
Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.
Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.
The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.
Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.
Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.
In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
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