The studio will be divided into individual sections; each led by a studio Critic and a TA (graduate student at Columbia University's GSAPP). Studios will be divided according to skill and experience level and should not exceed 13 students.

The substantive method of instruction is that of desk crits, or dialogues between student and his/her Critic. At these sessions, previous design work is reviewed and discussion ensues about the direction that the student's project should take. Desk crits will be supplemented by Interim Reviews, or Pin-Ups, where all students in a section (sometimes teamed up with another section) pin up their design work for group critique and discussion. Final reviews are the culmination of each project; students present their work for public evaluation by a group of studio and visiting critics from New York City.