The School of Visual Studies requires all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running the software listed below. While students will not be denied attendance based on an inability to possess a computer, the SVS does consider a computer to be an essential tool for full participation in the curriculum.
STUDENTS WHO ALREADY OWN LAPTOPS
For those who already have laptops -- we accept any laptop computer running a recent (less than 4 years old) MAC OS or Windows OS with the following:
the current version of Adobe Creative Cloud;
For $60/year discounted Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions:
The default SVS recommendation for all students is to purchase either a new Apple MacBook Air or a new Apple MacBook Pro (or a PC laptop with comparable computing power i.e., storage, processor, and RAM). Minimum computing needs vary by program or emphasis. Please consult the section below for more detailed information.
Click Here for Adobe Creative Cloud computing requirements.
Click Here for $60/year discounted Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ACCORDING TO PROGRAM
Students entering BA in Art History*, BA in Film Studies* (non-production emphasis), or BA/BFA in Art with studio focus in Fibers, Sculpture, Ceramics, Drawing, and Painting are recommended to have the equivalent of a new MacBook Air (or better) laptop meeting the above-stated minimum requirements.
*For humanities-oriented students (Art History andFilm Studies - Criticism), Adobe Creative Cloud is optional.
Students entering the BA in FILM STUDIES PRODUCTION Emphasis or DIGITAL STORYTELLING (either as freshman or transfer students) are encouraged to have a 13+ inch MacBook Pro with an M1 or better processor; 16 GB of RAM; 1TB+ SSD Storage. Students may choose to purchase a laptop with 256GB+ internal storage with a supplemental external SSD drive to reach a total of 1TB of data storage. Free Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive comes with 5TB of storage (See Microsoft Office 365 link above).
Students entering the BA/BFA in ART students taking significant coursework in Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, or who intend to be working mostly with a digital media are encouraged to have a 13+ inch MacBook Pro and 1TB+ SSD Storage either as internal storage or with a supplemental external SSD drive.
NOTE: Free Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive comes with 5TB of storage (See Microsoft Office 365 link above).