Mark Laughlin is a Design professor at Northeastern University rated 2.76/5 by 155 students, with 3.35/5 difficulty and 36.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Mark Laughlin professor reviews and ratings: 2.76/5 from 155 student reviews at Northeastern (36.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
You definitely get out what you put into his classes. He explains things conceptually and gives you feedback by telling you what feelings your posters should express. His advice is thoughtful and clearly based in a lifetime of experience. Showing up and participating is the trick. Fantastic professorARTG2252 2025-04-16 15:00:32 +0000 UTC
Great, but not enough assignmentsARTG3350 2022-12-01 15:48:34 +0000 UTC
Mark really knows his stuff. His class may be a bit project-heavy but he gives great feedback and the everything you make will turn out to be portfolio-worthy. Hes so nice and will be understanding of any slips as long as he can youre trying.ARTG2250 2019-04-11 18:47:36 +0000 UTC
Really enjoyed this class. If you want to do good, you need to do the work. Hard professor at first, but if you try, you'll see why he is so good. Really knows his stuff.ARTU334 2007-05-02 16:28:29 +0000 UTC
No CommentsTYPOGRAPHY 2005-12-02 16:29:32 +0000 UTC
Mark is truly one of the worst professors I've ever had the displeasure of encountering. His course page is disorganized, assignments are unclear and vague, and he does not lecture. Class time is used as crit time, with his critiques being entirely based off his opinion of the day. I cannot emphasize enough how much you should avoid this professor.ARTG2252 2024-12-04 15:33:30 +0000 UTC
Mark did not do a good job for a very important class. Everything from using someone else's syllabus to never having a structured class to telling us we need to print a very expensive book to changing his mind after I printed it. They was never any good feedback and I feel like my time was wasted. Yes Mark is a nice guy but nice does not cut it.ARTG3350 2016-05-15 15:41:23 +0000 UTC
Mark Laughlin has been one of the most helpful professors I have had at Northeastern. While his class maybe unorthodox, its for the better. Rather than lecturing for long stretches of time, Mark teaches through critique. This makes sense for typography as it can be difficult to put into words exactly what makes a typographical exercise successful.ARTG2250 2019-04-11 17:00:57 +0000 UTC
The most unclear instructions I have EVER received in a class in my ENTIRE education career (I am a fourth-year).ARTG2252 2024-09-10 17:31:01 +0000 UTC
This prof did not provide a syllabus or make himself available to his students. He would only respond to emails during a short window one day a week! The assignments dragged on all semester while he changed his mind about requirements, aesthetics, etc. After spending over $100 on final projects I felt like I had learned nothing.ARTG3350 2010-07-01 12:47:37 +0000 UTC
Highly disorganised professor who doesn't set clear expectations/outlines/dates/a syllabus and will often change his mind on the fly. Opinionated on certain design aspects and will say that they are hard and fast rules. That said, if you just follow his crit to a T you'll end up getting a good grade but you may not learn anything.ARTG2250 2018-03-27 12:17:36 +0000 UTC
The only way to do good is follow his rubric and make changes based off only his critiques even if it looks ugly. basically his way or no way, easy to get a good grade but it leaves little room for personal creativity. Unclear with directions, difficult to reach outside of class, doesnt use canvas, doesnt grade throughout the year only at the end.ARTG2252 2023-11-16 15:51:54 +0000 UTC
Very confusing teacher. Avoid his class if you can. Nice guy but definitely not a good professor.ARTG2250 2017-02-22 13:47:14 +0000 UTC
Ineffective teaching- Mark's class is entirely taught through critique, and his comments are often condescending. Following his critique to a T will appease him, but there is little room for your opinions on your own work. Expect lots of revisions, and going in circles. Was not afraid of projecting students' work and calling people out.ARTG2252 2022-05-19 00:05:41 +0000 UTC
mark is very confusing and gives no guidelines as to what he expects from his students. he assigns multiple projects at once and never collects/grades anything until the final. would strongly recommend NOT taking his classARTG2250 2010-03-31 16:39:53 +0000 UTC
Mark Laughlin has an average rating of 2.76/5 from 155 student reviews. 36.0% of students said they would take them again.
Mark Laughlin's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.35/5 based on student reviews.
Mark Laughlin has taught ARTG2252, ARTG3350, ARTG1291, ARTG2242, ARTG2250, ARTG4550, ARTG4551, ARTG3450 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.