Expectations

How to succeed in class == how to succeed in the industry

Participation & Learning

• Participate in discussion — be proactive about your learning. If there is something you do not understand, ask.
• If you need help or are stuck — ask. I want to find out before grading your work.
• Listen to feedback given to others — if something said applies to your work, fix it too.
• Listening implies doing — expect to see changes applied next time.

Feedback — Receiving It

• Listen to feedback. You may ask for clarification — NEVER ARGUE WITH FEEDBACK.
• If you are receiving feedback, that means the person has faith that you can change it and you have their attention.
• If industry is giving you feedback, respect their time, experience, and expertise.

Specifics — Common Issues

• No black backgrounds — work should always be in context. Always.
• No rendered HDRI as backgrounds — unless your hero asset is photoreal, don't pale it in comparison.
• No double or confusing shadows — tell your story with lighting and be clear.
• Prioritize your feedback — that will help you manage the tasks.

Respect — In the Classroom

• Listen in class — yes, even during critique when it is not your turn.
• During a presentation, if you are typing on the keyboard, it will be noticed — that's rude.
• Do not have side conversations while a presentation is ongoing — that's rude too.
• Label your files correctly — scripts are used increasingly and unlabeled work will be lost.
• Hand work in on time (see the late policy).
• Slack etiquette — respond or react to messages to confirm receipt.

Feedback — Giving It

• Always be constructive — point out the problem and suggest solutions.
• Be specific.

Act professionally — respect deadlines, read and follow instructions, ASK QUESTIONS if you don't understand, do your homework!

On the general information and submission guidelines page you will find details of rules regarding protocol for grading. This page is intended as a reminder to students in the classroom of some basic behaviors that are expected both in the classroom and eventually at the studio in which you will be working. All guidelines from the student handbook apply, but these are absolutely essential for your success.

If you are asked to label things a certain way in your dropbox, please do so. This shows you can be relied on and are able to pay attention to detail.

At some studios, not following naming conventions not only makes things inconvenient for others — it can break things.

The handouts for each exercise are very specific. Don't just hear it from another student — read it! It is your job to be informed of what is asked of you. These are all available online.

Review them before submitting your final result.

It should come as no shock to anyone that you will have to describe what you have done. This is an extremely valuable task — we've all seen bad documentation.

Not only are presentations required, breakdowns will be a part of every class in some way, and these will require you to write about what you have done.

This is absolutely essential in a studio environment. By being able to respond to feedback your work will grow. This is how artists improve.

This is an essential part of every class. You should apply this principle not only to your course work but to everything you do professionally — including demo reels, cover letters, and resumes.

feedback / change / critique / repeat — that's the road to success.

This not only means in the classroom (pick up your food and trash), but also with regard to deadlines, clean dropboxes, submitting problem reports, and more.

Your time is valuable and so is the time of the people you are dealing with — practice respectfulness.

• Respect deadlines
• Keep dropboxes clean and organized
• Submit problem reports promptly
• This is not the time to text / browse social media / sleep / chat

All-nighters are not bragging rights — they show a lack of time management, planning, or an overloaded schedule.

If a message is addressed to you, you need to answer it in a timely manner.

Professors are here for your success — don't hesitate to reach out with questions. Push your work to its best.