ENTA Instructor : Advanced 3D Animation & Modelling

ENTERTAINMENT ARTS - 3D TEXTURING, SURFACING, AND/OR LOOKDEV INSTRUCTORS

POSITION TYPE: QFL

POSITION START: May 1st, 2025

FACULTY OVERVIEW:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is the fourth largest university in the province of British Columbia and serves communities in the South Fraser region and beyond. A leader in innovative, interdisciplinary education with a teaching-focused mandate, KPU offers all learners opportunities to achieve the highest standards of academic performance. Our many programs of study provide applied learning and broad-based university education.

Within KPU, the Faculty of Arts has over 6000 full-time students and over 300 faculty members from across the Humanities and Social Sciences. The Faculty of Arts includes 19 departments and 21 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Faculty is also home to two Canada Research Chairs: the first in Lifespan Cognition, and the second in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies. Many of our programs offer opportunities for experiential education through practicums, co-ops, international field-schools and exchanges, service learning, community engagement, and research collaborations. For more information about the Faculty of Arts, please visit our website at: KPU Arts.

ASSETS: TEXTURING & LOOKDEV INSTRUCTOR

The Entertainment Arts program within the Faculty of Arts at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) seeks to establish a list of faculty qualified to teach in the program and who will be eligible for future course contracts on a per-semester basis. Applications are invited from individuals with expertise related to the fields of Computer Graphics 3D Character Animation for Feature Film, TV, VFX and/or Game Development, and the areas listed below. Courses may be offered during the day or evening, online or in-person at KPU's Richmond campus, and faculty are expected to be available to teach in either delivery mode.

• Computer Graphics 3D Texturing & LookDev.
• Must provide Texturing & LookDev demo reel that demonstrates relevant artistic and technical experience.
• Strong Observation and Research Gathering skills.
• Strong background or experience in entertainment art which shows thorough understanding of shape, silhouette, form, structure, light, values, colour theory, grouping, proportions, balance.
• Great design sense is desirable.
• Knowledge of material behaviour of nature and non-natural objects/life forms is desirable.
• Life and Still Drawing, Sketching, Sculpture, Photography, Painting, Design Skills (digital and/or analogue) are desirable.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and organizational skills required.
• Ability to provide verbal and drawn feedback to students to improve their assets and projects.
• Has a team-oriented demeanor with an open mind and desire to learn.
• Proven experience and ability to work effectively with individuals with diverse skills and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of how to export and integrate assets in-engine is a plus.
• Understanding of Modelling & Sculpting is a plus.
• Understanding of Basic Rigging concepts is a plus.
• Understanding Layout/Cinematography is a plus.
• Understanding Character/Creature FX is a plus.
• Extensive pipeline knowledge displaying an understanding of both technical and soft skill needs for how the Asset department interacts with other departments within Animation, Film and/or Games Industry.
• Proficiency with UV unwrapping.
• Proficient knowledge of Industry standard software(s) used in the discipline, and ability and flexibility to adapt to different pipelines and workflows (e.g., but not limited to: Maya, Blender, Katana, UV Unwrapping tools, Substance Painter, Zbrush, Unreal Engine, Unity).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to individuals who have previously taught courses in a field of study listed above, who have significant professional, industry-related experience acquired within the last three years, and who have a record of teaching excellence at the post-secondary level.

More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member is outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A link to Demo reel on CV and Cover Letter.
• A cover letter which clearly identifies:
  • the field(s) of study in which you are qualified to teach
  • the type of position in which you are interested: a one-year position at 50% or more (Non-regular, Type 2), and/or single-semester contract work of three or fewer sections (Non-regular, Type 1)
• A curriculum vitae with links to a portfolio site.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., course evaluations, student survey results, peer review reports, past syllabi, or equivalent).
• A statement of teaching philosophy that discusses important elements of your teaching, such as:
  • how it is informed by your professional, industry-related experience
  • how it incorporates approaches to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization
• The names and contact information of three referees able to comment on your teaching ability and professional, industry-related experience.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

SALARY INFORMATION:

Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience. Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.

This competition is for a maximum FTE of 50% (Regular or NR2). When possible, priority will be given to the candidate(s) who can maximize the FTE either individually or collectively; therefore, please indicate on your application your preferred workload percentage. This competition could also be used to add candidates to our Qualified Faculty List, therefore also please indicate on your application if you are interested in being added to this list.