Ann Phong

School: Cal Poly Pomona
Department: Fine Arts
Location:Pomona, CA
Overall Rating
rated by 20 students
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Pros: Ms. Phong is a good teacher. She is open and honest and doesn't really judge you based on things out of your control.
Cons: She will constantly question you on your ability to draw and follow instructions.
She will "yell" at you and tell you that she will slap your face if you don't do things right. also
SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL!!!
Remember that when she "yells" or criticizes, she is only joking. She is not saying things to be mean at all. She just wants to see you improve as an artist.
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Pros: Funny as hell
Cons: Tough grader
Phong is... well... crazy. But hilarious. Her instruction is very clear and she will help anyone who asks. She'll yell at you when you do something wrong, but that's okay because her thick accent makes it hilarious. Her lectures are funny and informative.
However, do not take her lightly. She is a tough grader. She makes you earn an A. As long as you take her suggestions, you will do fine. She gives you complete creative freedom for each project (there were 4 total), and she didn't grade heavily on the last one because we were experimenting with a new technique.
If you can take any class with her, then do it.
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Pros: FUN
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I went into this class not knowing much, or anything really, about drawing techniques and mediums. Each project focused on a different medium, and there was usually a corresponding homework assignment that dealt with a technique associated with each project.
In class, Phong was very helpful. She starts off by explaining and demonstrating the basic techniques behind the medium you're going to use, then sets everyone off to work. She walks around class and checks on progress and sometimes will help you along by showing you how to draw a specific part.
She recommends not taking more than 12 units when taking her class because of the work load. I did it with 15 and still got an A. That's not to say that it wasn't a lot of work, and I spent a few all nighters working on homework assignments the day before due.
I highly recommend taking her if you want to learn some great fundamentals.
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What can I say about Phong. This was my first time having her, and she is hilarious. She expects a lot of work though, she will push you to be a great artist.
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Pros: She's very knowledgable
Cons: you have to have a lot of time for the class
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Professor Phong can be intimidating at first. But she knows her stuff. Plus throughout the quarter she encourages you to submit and be involved in the art community. She always offer to help you out even outside of her class. This class can be challenging, but she guides you but also allows you to grow on your own. She's definitely knowledgeable about life drawing and drawing human figures. And she gives great constructional criticism. You just got to make sure that you're trying. You'll learn a lot from her. Grade Received: A
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Although I did not receive the grade I wanted I still noticed progress throughout my drawing skills. Just make sure you have time for her class or else you might fall behind. And make sure you ask questions if you are new to drawing. This professor is a great professor because even though she's hard and all she cares about what you learn and proceed. And make sure you listen to what she has to say the first day of class because it's all true. Grade Received: C
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Ok, I saw that someone had graded her with all D's and I had to correct that. Yes, her class can be a challenge for those who have not taken any art classes, but if you listen to her and ask questions you WILL improve. She lets you redo any assignment, how could you not? However, that is not to say that this class is not a great deal of work, because it is. She usually gives you 2 weeks for her homework assignments. Some people have spent 20 hours straight doing a project, but we got A's on our projects. She also simultaneously gives you in class projects, which take more time than we have in class. Usually about double the time in class.Yes, she is picky with dirty margins, but if you're drawing is good enough, all that will do is lower your grade from an A+ to an A. Do not take her if you have more than 12 units and cannot handle sleepless nights, you will have sleepless nights with that kind of courseload.
As for miss Phong herself, she does "yell" but really it's more of an elevated whisper, I've never actually heard her raise her voice in anger. You'll understand if you've heard her yell. It's mostly a joke. She just wants you to succeed. SHe will walk around when you're doing a project and inspect your work, and help you. Sometimes, she'll draw a bit of it to start you off and so you understand how to shade in the particular medium. We did pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, and white pencil on black paper. The first couple of projects are really easy, just line drawings. But that may differ depending on the level of the class, I took her once before and dropped the class because the first project was a self portrait, but I kept it this time because it was a line drawing.
The bottom line is... if you like to draw, if you want to get better and learn several different mediums, and you don't mind hard work to do your best, take her. If you have a big courseload and can't stand to go without your beauty rest, or don't like drawing that much... just don't. Grade Received: A-
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She is one of the best teachers you could have for design. WARNING: her class is extremely challenging. At first, she is very harsh in critiques and expects you to have a professional, thick skin. However, at the end of the class she is very warm, friendly, and humorous. Do not combine her class with too many other classes or any other challenging classes. She was able to take people with no design ability and make them decent designers while pushing those who had experience to perfect their work. All this in an introductory, 100 level class. Grade Received: A
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She acts as though she knows a lot but she really doesnt. She also grades unfairly. She wanted us to capture cast shadows from her light source and only her light source but it was impossible because the windows were always opened which would let in another light source. She never helps much when you ask for help and half the time she's not even in the classroom. The first couple weeks I thought she was okay and that she was kinda funny, but towards the end it just got really annoying and unbearable. Grade Received: B-
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started out as a B student, somehow climbed up to an A
Just don't skip on any projects and try to keep your work clean and neat. Don't make designs that are too hard for you that it will greatly effect your craftmanship, yet, don't make your designs too simple that even a child can do. Grade Received: A
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awesome class!! she may intimidate u on the first day..coz the first sem i got scared of her and dropped the class but 2nd quarter took it..and figured she does it to scare away her students.. shez aweome.. she like a mommy.. she'll yell at u even mite hit u hehe .. but all her students love her..AWESOME TECHER!! but be prepared to stay up all nite most of the week if u have 16 units.. as i did.. but it was fun i didnt regret even once..when it was not even my major.. trust me u'll love it .. Grade Received: A
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Phong is such a awsome professor!!!! Everyone knows that she yells a lot but its so funny. She doesnt yell at you to hurt you, she yells at you so you can learn. And besides, everyone laughs about it so dont take her comments personally. When you talk to her one on one, shes really nice and helpful. Everytime I had a hard time, she basically drew it for me. I recommend her for 342. She says that her class is hard and does a lot of work but every art class is and it really ISNT BAD AT ALL. And she allows you to redo your projects too.
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Ann Phong is one of the most hardest and challenging Art Professor in the Art Department! She's very precise and anal about craftmanship. Which in basic translation, he looks out for the smallest mistakes, like bent paper, smudges, smears, pencil marks, and even "scratches" on the paper. She'll give you a cold welcome, but she does that so that she'll know who will work hard or not. Just becareful in your work, follow her instructions, study for quizzes, and make sure you're on time.
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Challenging class. Takes a lot of time and effort. You do critiques in class so that you will understand your mistakes. It is very useful, and I enjoyed it. She scared me the first day and I did think about dropping it. Stick around because she is actually very funny, and although the critiques might seem scary, they turn out to be funny. You will learn a lot from her class.
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great teacher, highly recommended. She's funny and you learn alot from the class. Take her, especially if you're an Art major, but be prepared to spend alot of time on the projects and hw. There are weekly quizes which are pretty easy if you read the book, and different drawing projects throughout that are kinda time consuming. You get to work with different mediums. its fun!
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She is great. I agree most of the comments stated above beside one. You know which one am i talking about......Take her if you could.
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You'll never regret if you take her. She is a very nice teacher, she'll help you with all your need. As long as you try hard, come to class every session, she'll never fail you. She is BEST OF THE BEST, you'll learn a lot from her.
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From what I know she is a Cal Poly graduate in Art. Apperently she learned from Prof. Wilson and she did the mural in the science department along time ago. so she is good no doubt but she cant seem to speak english too well. She might seem hard at first but she is a fun professor. she's big on craftmanship but if u got that covered you can get an A. highly recommended.

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