The Willem de Kooning Academy is a leading international academy for bachelor and master programs in media, art, design, leisure and art education. The academy stands for groundbreaking art education, in which connections with social and educational partners give substance to an academy that constantly questions its own boundaries. In addition to art education, the academy also offers economic education focused on entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industry.
The Willem de Kooning Academy is in transition. A new strategic agenda (Strategy 2025 and beyond) gives direction to the (re)development of activities in the coming years, including the curriculum. Leading those changes are three values (making matters, being present and sharing perspectives) and three movements (organizing transitions, sustaining pathways and supporting infrastructures).
The Academy is part of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, strongly rooted in Rotterdam and at the same time internationally oriented. With approximately 400 colleagues, WdKA educates more than 2,500 students. Many of our students and colleagues have an international background.
About Product Design
We stand at the precipice of a transformative era, shifting from a linear, wasteful culture to a regenerative, circular, fair, inclusive, and healthy one. The very essence of product design practice, with its physical, tangible, and material nature, necessitates a re-evaluation of material choices, production techniques, systems, and values. We embark on this journey of discovery through experimentation, testing, modelmaking, and prototyping. Our students, makers of a brighter future, actively engage and shape this transition.
The Product Design department has approximately 135 students and a small interdisciplinary teaching team over our four-year course. We aim to offer our students perspectives on a positive and meaningful future. The professional world is looking for young designers with multiple talents and skills who can help them transition towards this circular, inclusive, and regenerative future.
We teach students to work iteratively, developing material knowledge and technical skills, to grow their identity as designers. In combination with exploring digital fabrication and artificial intelligence, doing research, and experimenting within a theoretical framework, they become conscious of the power of their creative and strategic talents and how to apply that to connect to and support audiences and society today and in the future.
In this major, we empower students to master the skills and tools of product design from an artistic, circular, and inclusive perspective. They will learn to create and present product designs, concepts, and ideas that not only capture attention but also make a significant impact, inspiring change, and progress.
Wat ga je doen?
The Major Product Design program is seeking a tutor for years 1, 2, and potentially 3 and 4. As a tutor, you will play a crucial role in shaping students' understanding of product design, material knowledge, construction, and production techniques, thereby contributing significantly to their academic and professional development.
Focus year 1: You are a practical maker, with experience in wood, metal, and digital manufacturing i.e. who can create a strong foundation for the students to discover their creative power and develop their knowledge of materials, techniques and design skills, such as iterative idea development and divergent thinking.
Focus year 2: Drawing from your expertise as a product designer, you will help students explore speculative futures of design and production. Through smart small assignments and ambitious large assignments, you will develop their ability to understand how to intervene and adapt objects and processes. Your guidance will help them form their own opinions and create and present urgent and communicative work.
Focus year 3: you can inspire and guide students, from your expertise as a product designer, towards collaborating with external partners and their upcoming minor and graduation year.
Focus year 4: you can coach students to reach their full product design potential on a self-initiated project.
It is not possible to apply for a specific year.
Tasks will include:
- Preparing classes and teaching, as part of a project-team, possibly in courses ranging from the first year to the fourth;
- Ensuring an inclusive and safe learning environment;
- Participating in the development of curriculum and classes for the program;
- Participating in assessments, both in the context of classes you are teaching, and in stand-alone assessment moments such as annual competence-based assessments and graduation;
- Participating in team meetings and promoting the department during open days;
- Responding with flexibility to a workload that varies over the course of the academic year.
Wat we jou bieden:
Hogeschool Rotterdam offers a temporary employment contract (D4 cao hbo) of one year. Depending on experience, the salary amounts to a minimum of € 4.173,75 and a maximum of € 6.359,47 gross per month (scale 11 cao hbo) for full-time employment, excluding vacation allowance and year-end bonus.
WdKA likes to invest in motivated and well-trained employees. Working at WdKA means that you can use time and facilities (via access to our Stations) for professionalization. To further your pedagogical and didactical development, you need to be willing to undertake mandatory training.
Our secondary benefits also include access to different kinds of support and discounts by RUAS and an attractive pension plan. In addition, we offer a good work-life balance through more than 50 days off per year for full-time employment.
Ben jij wie we zoeken?
We are looking for people who want to share their practical expertise with the next generation, professionals who are excited to work with an interdisciplinary team within a project-based education.
The ability to work collaboratively is a must, as all our education is team-based. You should be excited about teaching, creating exercises and didactics, and willing to share your expertise and insights with our students. Next, you are questioning established practices through design and be eager to develop new pathways. We're searching for enthusiastic and thoughtful teachers who are interested in helping the Product Design major to stay ahead of the developments in the field.
Next to this, we ask:
- Experience in teaching and in the possession of a BKE (Basis Kwalificatie Examinering). Also having a BDB (Basiskwalificatie Didactische Bekwaamheid) is a big plus;
- Actively working as an independent or employed product designer, with insights into and vision of product design practices;
- Practical hands-on knowledge and skills about production techniques and materials (metal, wood, ceramics, bio-based, fabrics, etc.) are crucial;
- Knowledge about digital fabrication, digital visualisation and presentation;
- A master's degree, favourably in design or a relevant program;
- Familiarity and an ability to engage with design and applied art communities is a significant asset;
- A commitment to developing new didactic forms of design education within the bachelor Product Design program is an asset;
- A good command of verbal and written Dutch and English.
Solliciteren
Ben jij de perfecte kandidaat voor deze vacature en voldoe je aan de eisen? Solliciteer dan direct! Vragen over deze vacature of functie?