Department of Visual Arts
Graphic Design Laptop Policy & Computer Requirements
Revised 6/15/12
All students enrolling in ARS 271, Introduction to Graphic Design, and all subsequent graphic design courses are required to own a personal laptop Macintosh computer that conforms to the graphic design computer requirements. Students are expected to have a computer on the first day of classes. This is a one-student, one-machine requirement. Any student who does not have a laptop by the end of the first week of the semester will be administratively withdrawn from any course requiring the laptop. There are no exceptions to the policy.
This purpose of this policy is to ensure that students have adequate access to computing resources and obtain an extensive working knowledge of the Macintosh system. Possession of a Macintosh laptop allows students access to printers and other available resources on campus and elsewhere.
In addition, owning a laptop aids students with job searches and job preparation as well as provides necessary resources for freelance opportunities that otherwise would not be available.
Computer Requirements
Recommended: Apple Macintosh computer (industry standard for businesses in creative fields)
System requirements: Newest Intel technology and the software required for the courses.
Recommended Hardware:
MacBook Pro, 15-inch
Processor 2.6GHz Intel Core i7
Memory 8GB memory
Display
Hard Drive 750GB hard drive (
)
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro
Total price $2,044 + protection plan= $2,283 with student discount
Minimum Hardware:
MacBook, 13-inch
Processor
Memory
2.5GHz Intel Core i5
4GB memory (
DDR3 memory
)
13-inch Display
Hard Drive 500GB hard drive (500GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm)
8x double-layer SuperDrive
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook
Total price $1,099 + protection plan= $1,282 with student discount
Other Required Hardware:
External mouse
USB flash drive 1GB minimum
Other Suggested Hardware: iPod 30GB hard drive or external hard drive for backup

Wacom Tablet
Software Requirements :
Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design and Web Premium Student Edition for Mac, which includes:
Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended
Adobe Illustrator CS6
Adobe InDesign CS6
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6
Adobe Flash Professional CS6
Adobe Fireworks CS6
Adobe Acrobat X Pro
Total price: $444.95 with student discount
The software included in Adobe Creative Suite may be purchased individually; however, it is more cost effective to purchase it as a package. Online academic retailers typically offer the best prices. Remember to ask for student discounts. You must prove eligibility in order to receive discounted pricing. AppleStore.com offers a student discount as well as a monthly payment options.
Additional Recommendations:
It is strongly recommended that students purchase security software, to prevent unapproved access to data, renter’s insurance, to cover the loss or theft of the laptop, and the AppleCare protection plan that extends the complimentary 90-day support and one-year warranty of your computer for up to three years. It is also recommended that students purchase Extensis Suitcase
Fusion – or similar font management software (approximately $100). The school will provide fonts for Macintosh users to use exclusively for school projects while they are taking graphic design classes.