David Stairs - Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI

Professor: David Stairs

Department: Graphic Arts

College: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ART117
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Stairs has a pretty rude vibe overall. His lectures are intriguing, although the video choices can be a bit boring. He is a tough grader on weekly art comparisons, but the class is generally easy. If you attend class you'll do fine, but it's hard to get an A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ART117
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clear guidelines on what you need to do to pass. Respectful and kind. jokes around during lectures but makes things easy to follow.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ART363
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Stairs is a very nice guy, we don't have homework, just the regular reading, we have quiz after class, but it is easy if you take notes. Professor Stairs has patient for every students and he understand everyone, he always tried to help you. I will recommend this professor to my friends.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

David Stairs has been the most supportive educator I've ever had. He truly believed in me and went to bat for me when others doubted my skills. A lot of times in design classes I feel like the professors kill my artistic side, but Dave has encouraged me to be me even when it's not popular. Thanks Dave, I owe a lot to you for your inspiration.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ART363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't understand this class. We sit in a lecture hall and watch slides as he talks about them. Also, get ready to write A LOT. instead of printing off the notes, you have to write down everything on the screen, and it is a ridiculous amount. I'd stay away from this class & Mr. Stairs.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fairly vague on assignments, but that's because he wants you to be creative. If you ask for help he will gladly give you some, but he really wants you to try on your own mostly. also kind of a jerk, but on his good side he's nice. if you miss class you won't know what the hell is going on. really good professor though, hope i can have him again!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ART101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Stairs was by far the most influential designer I could have ever have, a tad starange, but that what makes us good designers even better. students would be lucky to have his creative insight

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ART449
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

went to class everyday knowing that i wasnt going to learn anything afte the first day. stairs is passionate about design but his style is dated and he doesnt care to let his students explore their creativity very much he wants them to do exactly what he wants without really explaining anything. nice person but not a very good teacher

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever had...by far!

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The bomb. Want to learn design, take Stairs' class. You will be the better for it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is cool teacher

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is Hilarious and a great Teacher!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ART366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Here is what you do: go to class, he gives you about 2 or 3 packets to read. He discusses them, you go home. You are not 'allowed' to take what you read home. You have 3 field trips which you have to write 4 page papers for. What is the final on? I have no idea. What did I learn? I have no idea. If you don't need the class, don't take it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ART335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Well if youre taking this class its because you youre a GD major and you have to. The class was easy, just do youre work, be creative, and you'll get a good grade. I recommend getting on his good side early, because he plays favorites. You can leave class early whenever you want, which is nice. Mainly outside of class work, very Independent.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ART366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

David Stairs was honestly one of the worst teachers at Central. You have NO idea what is expected and NO idea what he is talking about 95% of the time. On top of that...he's boring. You have a final, on what? No one knows, because you learn NOTHING literally. His grading is pretty ridiculous as well. Do not take him. Save yourself now.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ART366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

... He has a hard time staying on topic, and his teaching style is horrible (putting a book on the overhead and forcing the entire class to keep up with his pace at reading it in silence for 20something minutes at least...). It's incredible. Take it with another teacher if at all possible...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ART366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ugh, this class is a complete joke and a complete waste of time. The only thing I learned in this class was that pollution was bad (wow, who would have guessed, right?). He was very intimidating to his students, so hardly anybody talked in his class. And when it comes to the grading, he's in another world. ...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ART349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

David Stairs is what a professor should be. He is very serious about design and wants his students to be as well. I was a little leary about taking his class because all of the bad reviews he has gotten on here, but I really learned a lot from him and I think he is absolutely an amazing designer. The class is hard but very beneficial.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If you want to be a Graphic Designer, then Stais is the teacher you want. If you want an easy class and have no desire to put the effort into graphic design, then take a summer class at another college and do not waste Stair's time. He only teaches to students who want to learn. If you are an adult, you will do well in his class. If you are a kid,

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 335
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

True, Stairs is tough. I've had Stairs all 3 years, and he isn't easy, but show him you're as serious as he is and you can DO it and you're good! Take Stairs if you want to learn a lot, but not if you can't take criticism.