DESMA 22
Form
Description: Studio, six hours; outside study, six hours. Interrelation of two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional forms with traditional and experimental materials as foundation for creativity; origination and solution of problems. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 0.0
Units: 0.0
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2024 - Class moves pretty fast deadlines are very quick. She expects a lot from students considering this is a lower-division beginner studio and many students are new to making tangible items (or have never done it at all). At some points it is clear that she wants us to make our projects the way that she would (she will get upset if you choose not to follow her advice), and if something doesn't seem to be working out, she encourages abandoning the idea rather than continuing to work on it or offer to help create a solution. There is a general negative approach towards student ideas (she is trying to push you?), but it will come across demoralizing and discouraging more often than not. She is also very heavy on abstraction, but I believe that while it can be encouraged, it doesn't need to be forced especially if it allows students to be more passionate about what they are creating and focus more on their execution rather than on their idea. However, even with this all being said, some classes she will be in a very happy mood and is be very nice and friendly. TLDR: Take Esposito if you're new to form and would like to create whatever you want; Take Berfin if you're already proficient with form and are an abstract conceptualist and are very confident in your making abilities.
Spring 2024 - Class moves pretty fast deadlines are very quick. She expects a lot from students considering this is a lower-division beginner studio and many students are new to making tangible items (or have never done it at all). At some points it is clear that she wants us to make our projects the way that she would (she will get upset if you choose not to follow her advice), and if something doesn't seem to be working out, she encourages abandoning the idea rather than continuing to work on it or offer to help create a solution. There is a general negative approach towards student ideas (she is trying to push you?), but it will come across demoralizing and discouraging more often than not. She is also very heavy on abstraction, but I believe that while it can be encouraged, it doesn't need to be forced especially if it allows students to be more passionate about what they are creating and focus more on their execution rather than on their idea. However, even with this all being said, some classes she will be in a very happy mood and is be very nice and friendly. TLDR: Take Esposito if you're new to form and would like to create whatever you want; Take Berfin if you're already proficient with form and are an abstract conceptualist and are very confident in your making abilities.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - Paul is great, and I loved the class. The first couple weeks can be pretty dry because of all the tool training you need to use the shop, but it picks up quickly after that and then it's just fun project after fun project. The fab lab has a ton of great resources to do whatever you want with it. The only cumbersome bit of the course is that the lab closes on weekends, which can be a slap in the face if you're working on a big project and need the lab's resources.
Fall 2023 - Paul is great, and I loved the class. The first couple weeks can be pretty dry because of all the tool training you need to use the shop, but it picks up quickly after that and then it's just fun project after fun project. The fab lab has a ton of great resources to do whatever you want with it. The only cumbersome bit of the course is that the lab closes on weekends, which can be a slap in the face if you're working on a big project and need the lab's resources.
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