ARCH 5420

This class was so much fun if you want to learn more about 3d modeling and animation. I wish there were more courses like this offered at UVA. 5 assignments with the first 4 being 1-2 minutes in length, and the last one 2-5. It can get tricky if you encounter a bug and some people hit a learning curve with the software (Maya) but overall, it's a pretty easily graded course. The professor can totally tell how much time/effort you put into it. I almost wish he was more critical so that we could learn more, but he praises everybody, which is nice. He definitely knows his stuff.

He's a really nice- like a cool grandpa you always wanted but never had. You wouldn't expect someone so relaxed and chill with a degree from MIT and Harvard. He always finds something genuine and positive to say even though your work looks like utter garbage. This course is great to take when you have an enormous workload and you don't need experience to start. I came in with 0 experience in architecture, maya, and motion capture.

I have never taken an architecture class before this and my major has no relevant skills for this class to give some context for the rest of the review. I just took this class for fun, and it made me appreciate how much effort goes into animations.

The workload was a lot more than I expected. There are five exercises throughout the semester and each one took me at least eight hours to complete, with the final project taking around twenty-four. I imagine this time will be far less if you've worked with CAD or similar software.

Professor Mark holds office hours around twice a week and is always available via email if you encounter any difficulties. He gives grandfather vibes and is super sweet. I learned a lot in this class and definitely provides a pleasant creative escape. The only qualms I have are that sometimes class runs a few minutes over, there isn't any clear grading criteria, and your grade is a complete mystery until it pops into SIS at the end of the semester.

Don't procrastinate on the exercises if you take this class.

#tCFF23