Gale Okumura - University of California Davis

Professor: Gale Okumura

Department: TBD

College: University of California Davis

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: DES115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While she has a considerable breadth of knowledge to contribute, I occasionally struggled to understand the particular tenets of her design aesthetic and felt frustrated by the fact that there was little in the way of actual instruction throughout the course. Only one of our grades was entered on Canvas, and frankly the TA was more helpful.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Want to learn something? Take a class with Gale. You will need to be a self-starter, independent researcher, and passionate about the design field to make it in this class... and guess what? That extends to the non-academic world as well. Take a class with Gale to gain skills under the guidance of a design professional. Don't like work? Don't take.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DES115
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Anyone who doesn't like Gale clearly slacked in her class. Show that you care and listen to her feedback; you'll do great. She always knows what isn't working and challenges you to fix it. Yes, this means making dozens of renditions before you get it right. This class will push your design thinking to the limit. Don't like it? Change majors.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gale is a professor that goes above and beyond to take care of her students-- IF you put the work in. She's a tough grader, but necessarily so. This class was my turning point in actually feeling like a designer. Definitely a recommended AND necessary course!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: DES115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Probably the worst design professor at UC Davis. This class actually made me consider whether I should be a design major at all. If you like cutting out tiny strips of paper like a sweatshop worker for weeks on end, then take this class! Course is honestly degrading to anyone serious about design/art. Pointless projects and no helpfulness from prof

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Quite possibly the the least coherent person at UC Davis. Get ready to hear her say "you know", she once said it 95 times in 40 minutes. Besides that, she's unhelpful, unclear with instructions, gives horrible critiques, lets students know her expectations after the project has been graded. Every class felt like a waste of time.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: DES115
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Assignments are time consuming but not super difficult. Gale definitely knows what she is doing but she can be extremely confusing and unclear about assignments sometimes. She is chilled but is a harsh grader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: DES115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Gale is a great teacher who will give back as much as you put in. She can be a lot of help if you ask for her help, and will receive better grades if you work with her rather then against her. Really knowledgeable and awesome teacher to have.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Please ! If you can avoid her class, you should do it. you will die and lost ur passion,time,and own idea. plus she is not kind at all.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• 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:

Gale is really knowledgeable and experienced, but I do understand why people say she can be rude. But I say suck it up - you're a DESIGN MAJOR and will have to deal with way worse. At least she is saying things to help you. Yes, she has a specific style sometimes, but she doesn't shut you down. She helps make your idea work for a bigger audience.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No matter how "tough but good" she may be, she doesn't realize that respect is a two way street. She stops class time to call out and humiliate tardy students, but she comes late herself about half the time. During final critique, 7+ students came late but she only called out ONE, and his arm was broken and he couldn't even carry his projects. Sad.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is the worst professor in the world. I did everything she asked, the research, mini critiques, projects, reading everything. She does not teach anything. The class is pointless. I did not learn a thing. All I did was get criticized. There is nothing good about her class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really great class that I sincerely enjoyed. I'm not sure about the person that posted before me but she has had years upon years of experience in the field, she owns her own design studio and does very well. She gives everyone a business side of design that no other professor provides. That information is very useful. Don't be intimidated!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• 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:

i think people confuse being a hard grader and being opinionated with being smart and having good advice. If she doesn't like your style then your screwed, though her job isnt to enforce a style upon us she tries. Critique is a waste of time, some may think i sound bitter, i got an A in her class, i just cant stand her "holier than thou" attitude

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: DES116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wow! One of the best professors I have ever had. Her class was amazing. I will be using the work from this class in my portfolio for sure. She is very professional and wants all of her students to succeed. She is willing to help you in whatever way possible. Tells you like it is in the real world, really prepares you for life outside of college. =)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 22152AB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: DES22152A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you think Gale is tough - wait until you get a real job and your boss fires you because you overlooked a detail and cost the company you work for thousands of dollars on a print job gone wrong. You'll be glad to have Gale's advise and teachings under your belt. Mediocrity is for the mediocre. Less is more, and learn to use white space properly!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: DES22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice person, if she likes your style your set. Grades hard and on craft. She selects certain styles and favors them, if she doesn't agree with your style watch out. Sometimes very helpful other times don't bother.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: DES22
• 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:

tough and a perfectionist but really good

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: DES152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

tough grader...very professional