<p>dhillman, I agree with your assessment. Once you move into your major you will likely find more students to be better motivated because they will be in their area of interest. </p>
<p>Still, many will do no more than what is requested. I find this to be very sad because each student ought to seek to separate him/herself from his peers. What perks an art director's eye? Something new and different; something that goes beyond the expected. If everyone does only what is asked of them, the only difference between projects becomes a matter of skill, and not one of creative ingenuity. </p>
<p>What you did was great! You didn't respond to the first mental image; you redefined the term "hallway" and recognized it could be vertical as well as horizontal. Also, it would be a greater test and demonstration of skill - which is part of the solution. To take something mundane and make it interesting is an example of a successful creative process.</p>
<p>Hopefully, some that drew a traditional hallway at least found an interesting vantage point in order to create something of interest themselves and not just to demonstrate a skill- which is what the less motivated typically think to be "the solution". Yawn.</p>
<p>In that spirit the professor made a small error. He/she told the class what constituted an "acceptable" subject. Few probably heard, "or something that incorporates perspective."</p>
<p>A better project goal may have been one that stated, "...use perspective to visually activate an environment that is rarely appreciated or noticed..." Then students would begin not only to apply technique, but learn of its power. But the prof also gets a pass because in all likelihood students have probably at times been unable to choose a suitable subject and he/she was providing the class with a minimum acceptable example out of necessity.</p>
<p>Keep trying to outdo yourself and the obvious solutions. There is nothing more refreshing to everyone than a unique perspective - no pun intended.</p>
<p>One more thing I guess, in all aspects of life it is up to each person to bring it upon themselves to find success. No one will hand it to you. College is about becoming self-sufficient.</p>
<p>These are my opinions, I hope they are not preachy.</p>