Joel Varland - Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Professor: Joel Varland

Department: Fine Arts

College: Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: DSGN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Joel can tell when students don't put much effort into their projects and he calls them out on it. Do the work, put in effort, and you will learn a lot. I enjoyed him and have taken a second class with him on purpose!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: DSGN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

ive learned so much in this class, but ive also stressed more over it than any other class. You get tons of infornmation, but not always get taught how to apply it. And his critiques on your projects vary greatly day by day, and can be EXTREMELY harsh depending on his mood, and it pushes you to work harder on projects, but is so mentally draining

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DESIGN100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Varland is a good designer but unclear about how to actually be one. He hates when you kiss up to him so put in little emotion into the class. Also he can be very harsh so youll develop a thick skin. He folded a girls design and called mine BS when I spent two weeks on it. Just be ready for no bs from him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: DSGN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Hes a hippie, low key guy who is funny and strong minded. He has NO filter, and will speak his opinions about your art openly. He makes you work for your grade, but isnt harsh about it. Down to earth guy, I'd love to have him as a teacher again

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: DSGN103
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Definitely got off to a rough start, but prof Varland is a great guy who has a strong passion for teaching design, and color specifically,loves what he does with all his heart, allows a lot of creative freedom, but does give quite a bit of homework/studies outside of class. Aside from the textbook work(which still baffles me)his projects r very fun

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: DSGN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I definitely worked my butt off in this class, but it was so worth it. Varland is extremely passionate about color theory and hes such a cool teacher to listen to and talk to. The homework load is heavy, but if you put in the work and time manage you will be ok. The projects are fun and he really lets you explore and just have fun with color!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: DSGN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Had his color theory class for my first quarter at SCAD and couldnt be happier with the class. Yes he is a tough grader but if you are enthusiastic about his class and are willing to put in the work and time it is an easy A. I dont really understand why he has such a bad rap but if you are at SCAD to work the hardest possible, I recommend him!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 3D
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

One of the hardest professors I encountered at SCAD. Unless you're an architect major or picasso/van gogh don't take him. Thanks for getting me off the deans list...

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: DSGN115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I am a senior and this was my last gen-ed and I am here spending more time on the work for this class than I am for the classes I'm majoring in. He has an unrealistic view of how much time we have for the basic gen-eds. The process book is total bogus along with the projects. He project briefs are also very confusing.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: DSGN115
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class is supposed to open your mind, but honestly none of it made any sense. I never understood what was going on. If you're looking for an easy studio elective, this would be a good class. But honestly it just felt like a waste of time and money.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: DESGN101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is passionate and cares deeply about his students. He wants you to explore Savannah and take full advantage of the college experience. Your enthusiasm can affect your grade so if you convince him that your project has a meaning and that you pushed yourself he will give you the grade you want regardless of your skill level.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CLRTH101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His projects are interesting in concept but he makes things so overly complicated that it's stressful to do anything. For a foundations color theory class he almost takes it too seriously. Definitely prefers results that are overdesigned, complex, not something I was looking for in a foundations class. Nice caring guy tho.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: DESGN101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

hes extremely picky about your work. Even if you meet the criteria for the project, it also has to meet his certain opinions as well.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: DESG100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

A wonderful and caring man outside of class, but not the best professor. If you don't understand his teachings when first said, good luck trying to get a more thorough answer. Projects are very vague, but he looks for specific styles (complexity!) and seems to grade biasly, so there's no room for experimenting. Didn't learn as much as I'd like to

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 3DDESIGN
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

My favorite teacher! Yes, he is hard and will push you but you will create your best work in his class! He goes out of his way for his students and is very passionate!I would take him again!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: DESGN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

NO NO NO NO. I AM CURRENTLY WRITING THIS IN HIS CLASS AND WE HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR THE PAST 2.5 WEEKS BUT WORK ON 20 SMALL PIECES AND THEN HE ASSIGNS US AN EXAM AND 3 PAINTINGS ALONG WITH OUR FINAL PROJECT AND PORTFOLIOS. LET ME ADD THAT THERE ARE 3 CLASSES LEFT.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CLRTH101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is very sarcastic and tough grader, but he respects his students as we respect him as a professor I have taken him two semesters in a row, and I don't regret it one bit. In over all yes he is tough but he pushes you because he wants You to be the best.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: DSN100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Varland will make you work very hard and he will sometimes make you very angry, but you will be a better artist for it. However, he can be vague and unclear on how to improve or "push" your design. He can also be rude, so if you are sensitive don't take his class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: DESIGN100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

There's a project every weekend, but there really interesting and he pushes you to become better. His lectures are interesting and you learn a lot from his class, by far one of the best professors I've had. He's there to help if you need any further information on the project or critique. Your grade is how much you put into the class pretty much.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: DSGN101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tons of work, tough critiques. Your designs will be turned inside out. He's also one of the most compassionate professors I've had, and is clearly passionate about teaching. I worked my ass off in his class, but had trouble at the end and he bailed me out, as well as left me with some incredibly kind parting words. He made me a better artist.