Jan Fairbairn - University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

Professor: Jan Fairbairn

Department: TBD

College: University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: DES451
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most difficult teachers to take design from but I learned the most from. I believe I am the designer I am today because of her classes. Yes I took several from her. She will heavily criticize your work. Tear it from the wall. But you will walk away ready for the real world.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: DES253
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Jan's class had lots of work. We had 8 projects that required a lot of effort. She's kind of intimidating, but she's nice, and the project directions are confusing. But she basically gives you free reign to figure out the project, to see what works and what doesn't. This teaching method helped, and I learned so much from her class. I love type now!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DES253
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jan's class is the hardest, most rewarding class I've ever taken. She can be intimidating at first, but she gets the best out of her students. If you need work for your portfolio and you're willing to work really hard, take this class. I'd get the book she recommends for your own knowledge, not necessary for the class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GD6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Jan is hands down one of the best people I have ever met. She has helped me more then any other teacher I have ever had. Get ready to work your ass off because she will push you till your projects are flawless. You wont know how great a teacher she is until you are long gone from the school.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: DES452
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By far the best design teacher at UMass Dartmouth. She is a tough teacher but you will not regret taking her class. She knows her stuff and only wants success for her students. I learned more in one year with her than the three years prior.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GD2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most amazing professor at UMD! Makes you work hard, but totally worth the final product of your efforts. Pushes you in the right direction. Her class will inspire you! Anyone who is willing to work hard and wants to have amazing portfolio pieces will be lucky to have her.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Jan is absolutely fantastic, cares about her students, in and out of class. if you want to learn, take her. if you are ready to work hard, take her. she's not 'difficult', she just brings the best work out of people. She will teach you how to work hard, design well, and bring you to the top in your class. Get on her good side, and you will go far.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: DES451
• 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:

Jan makes the Graphic Design program such a success. She makes you want to be prepared for critiques, and does not sugar coat anything. She is one of the most honest professors, and has a lot to offer.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: DES452
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AWESOME

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: DES101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I struggle with typography (DM major) had her twice, learned a lot and would gladly take her class over again. Makes you work hard. Not for the lazy designers out there. - now have a stable hand for gouache

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: DES452
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Please ignore the low level class ratings. Of course they do not like Jan. They don't even know what design is. They don't know what typography is. Jan is the best teacher this university has to offer for design. She also teaches at RISD. So obviously she is the most qualified. She is harder on the newer students because they need it. TAKE HER!!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: DES452
• 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:

Jan is a amazing teacher who will push you to the edge but its all for a good reasons and you see why in the work quality that comes out of her classes. While you in class she is one of the more helpful teachers you will ever have as well as outside of the classroom. She is more then a teacher but a mentor and someone you look for guidance from.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: DES452
• 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:

Jan Fairbarin is amazing person and professor. She is very intelligent and also teaches design at RISD. She received her masters from Yale and is extremely helpful but YOU have to ask for it. She will not "baby" you so dont whine or complain. She is good person and truly loves design. You will learn so much but you wont realize it at first.TAKE HER

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GD101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

can be very overwhelming

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TYP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

she is your worst nightmare if you don't want a teacher who will insult you and make your life way more difficult then it needs to be avoid her at all costs

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: TYPE1
• 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: N/A

Comment:

She is a terrible teacher who just insults you and takes any work you do and turn it into her own. She is a cold woman who doesn't care about anyone except her favorites, everyone else is screwed. Just run away from her even if she isn't your professor. She also is very little help so don't even bother. Avoid at all costs!!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: DES300
• 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:

Extremely intelligent professor. She is brutally honest and will push students forward in their design curriculum. If you are interested in the betterment of your knowledge in graphic design, color and typography this is the professor to take.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Very helpful and honest. Jan will make you work hard and it is worth it in the end!! watch the rag ahhhhhh. lol

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: TYPE3
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Probably one of the most closed minded teachers I've ever met. Specifically avoided her and still couldn't! Makes your life way more stressful with the huge work load and is very dull, boring personality. Type 3 expected to have more fun with design & type it couldnt't be more restricting, must design her way....AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: TYPE3
• 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:

Terrible human being, uncalled for belittling of students in front of their colleagues. Learned nothing at all from her. Avoid at all costs.