Professor Hilyard is a really great professor if you have some challenging project ideas and need some help getting things done. He has expansive knowledge of the animation industry and clearly knows how Maya works in general, plus he never sets limit to your project idea. Take his class if you have interesting ideas for your portfolios!

Stephen was always around to provide feedback. Don't get me wrong- if you don't put work into this course you won't pass. Need to understand the software he teaches you and it's not something you can just wait until the night before and wing it. As long as you give ample time towards your projects, start early and ask for feedback you'll have fun.

Mr Hilyard has definetly gotten closer to his students by coming around and providing feedback, I think that is very supportive. Since I've taken many classes with him, I've noticed he has changed for the better. I think his feedback on your work in constructive and he is a fair grader.

Stressful due to the large amount of homework (6 hours a week of boring and complex video tutorials), intense critiques, and overall not friendly professor. Lectures were excessively long and time could have been better used for in-class work time. Also - why is it required to buy an expensive drawing tablet if we never used it?

I personally enjoy working with Steve,though I do agree with other comments regarding his dry humor,sometimes harsh feedback, long lecturing. But I guess it kinda depends on person and how you like his way of teaching. I personally think Steve gives some really valuable feedback in terms of professional development. I'm taking his class again now.

I didn't dislike him, and he grades fairly, but he's not a professor I'd recommend at all. He gives long, excruciatingly dull lectures, and if you ask for clarification or help on anything he's covered before he'll act like you didn't pay close enough attention or didn't take good notes, and if you're lucky he might condescendingly help you.

He is by far the most rude teacher I've had at Madison. His comments toward people's artwork are mean 90% of the time. Lectures are long and time goes by extremely slow, and it doesn't help he talks in a monotone voice, clearing his throat every minute. Take this class if you're ready for insults to your art.

Yeah I took the Rhino/Maya class w/ Stephen and he's kind of an odd duck. He's got a certain brand of dry humor that I found rather abrasive, and he can sometimes be condescending and pushy, but he does grade fairly so I guess he's got that going for him. His lectures are really grueling though and he speaks in monotone so... watch out for that.