Computer Requirements

Recommended Computer Specifications

Having a personal laptop helps you to complete assignments, develop technical skills, work remotely and collaborate with students and faculty.

While there are a number of high-end specialized computer labs available to students at CVPA, it is necessary that you have a personal computer with the critical hardware and software required by your program.

For majors in Drawing, Fashion, Graphic Design, Integrated Studio Arts, Illustration, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture we strongly recommend that students arrive with a laptop. Any Apple Macbook Pro in good condition will be adequate for most students’ curricular needs. Mac OS Big Sur (V 11.6.7) or newer is recommended. Windows OS laptops are accepable but please note demos will not be provided for both interfaces.

Recommended Specifications for New Computer Purchases, Software and Accessories

Mac Base Model

(Appropriate for most students)

  • 13 inch Macbook Pro
  • Processor: Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  • Memory: 16GB minimum
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or greater
  • OS: Monterey (version 12) or later
  • Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan
  • Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
  • Three-Button Mouse for Fashion Design Students

Mac Power User 

(Graphic Design students)

  • 16 inch Macbook Pro
  • Processor: M1 or later
  • Memory: 16GB min (32MB preferred)
  • Storage Capacity: 512GB or greater
  • OS: Monterey (version 12) or later
  • Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
  • Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan
  • External Hard Drive is recommended

Windows Base Model

(Appropriate for most students)

  • Processor: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or greater
  • Memory: 16GB or greater
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or greater
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 21H2) or later
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • Warranty

Windows Power User

(Graphic Design students)

Note: all class demonstrations will be done on a Mac

  • Processor: Intel 2.6 GHZ i7 or faster
  • Memory: 16GB min (32MB preferred)
  • Storage Capacity: 512GB or greater
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 21H2) or later
  • Graphics Card GPU: 4GB (or better/equivalent)
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • Warranty

Software

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) subscription is required
  • Microsoft Office 365 free to UMassD students
  • CLO purchase required for Fashion Design Students

First Year

Any MacOS or Windows laptop in good condition that can run Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) software will be adequate for the first year of study. These programs are required for use in FOU 140 (Digital Essential class taken in first year).

Second Year and Beyond

The following recommendations take effect upon entrance into year two or enrollment into any course using 3D modeling and sculpting, 3D animation and game engine applications.

Recommended Mac* specifications

  • Model: MacBook Pro
  • OS: Ventura (version 13) or later
  • Processor: M1 or later (M3 preferred)
  • Memory: 16GB min (32MB preferred)
  • Video Card: Metal 1.2 compatible graphics card
  • Storage Capacity: 512GB or greater
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • AppleCare

Not recommended, but possible laptop option: MacBook Air
The Air is far less expensive but cannot handle larger 3D projects. Any students with an Air should plan on using the labs later in their career both during class and for any work done outside of class.

Recommended Windows specifications

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 21H2) or later
  • Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.6 GHZ or faster
  • Memory: 16GB min (32MB preferred)
  • Graphics Card GPU: Direct X 11 or 12 compatible
  • Storage Capacity: 512GB or greater
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • Warranty

Recommended Peripherals*

  • Three Button Mouse or Wacom Pen Tablet with Wacom 3D Pen
  • Pen Tablet (e.g., Wacom* Intuos, One, Cintiq)
  • External storage device for file transfer between laptop and Media Lab computers
  • Apple* iPad Pro and Apple Pencil 

Primary Software**

  • Adobe CC (Specifically: Photoshop, Substance Painter, Illustrator, AfterEffects, Premier)*
  • Autodesk Maya*
  • Blender (Free)
  • ZBrush*
  • Unity (Free)

Some students have found success with digital drawing, painting, and sculpting on the iPad using apps such as Procreate and Nomad Sculpt but an iPad is not required, nor can it replace a laptop.

*Student pricing available, see makers website for details.
**CVPA media labs are equipped with all required software. Students are not expected to purchase software after they have finished foundations courses unless they plan to do homework using their laptops.

CVPA media labs are equipped with 24" Wacom displays. The CVPA Media Center lends a variety of equipment including Wacom tablets, iPads and Pens.

Laptop Specifications

  • OS: 64-bit Microsoft® Windows® 10 or Windows 11
  • Screen Size: 14 inch or greater 1920x1080
  • Processor: Intel® i-Series, Xeon®, AMD® Ryzen, Ryzen Threadripper PRO. 2.5GHz or Higher
  • Graphics Card: DirectX 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 5 and minimum of 4GB of video memory (or better/equivalent).
  • Memory: 32 GB RAM
  • Storage Capacity: 320GB Hard Drive minimum
  • Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
  • External Hard Drive is recommended

We base our recommendation on Autodesk REVIT system requirements. For more information please visit System requirements for Revit 2024 products.

Software

  • CAD Software free to UMassD students
  • Microsoft Office 365 free to UMassD students
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) subscription is required

Minors in animation, game arts, graphic design, illustration, & photography

The Art + Design Department is primarily Mac-based, and faculty teach and demonstrate using Macs; thus, we have a Mac laptop requirement for all majors.

Students minoring in animation, game arts, graphic design, illustration, and photography who have PC laptops are allowed to use PCs as long as they are independent enough to follow demos being shown on a Mac interface. Students using PCs may need to supplement their learning via online resources and/or books as needed. Demos will not be provided for both interfaces.

Please refer to the laptop recommendations for chosen studio concentration.

Any Apple Macbook Pro in good condition will be adequate for most students’ curricular needs. Mac OS Big Sur (V 11.6.7) or newer is recommended.

Mac

  • 13 inch Macbook Pro
  • OS: Big Sur or later
  • Processor: Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  • Memory: 16GB minimum
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or Greater
  • Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan
  • Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

Windows

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909) or later
  • Processor: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  • Memory: 16GB or Greater
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or Greater
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • Warranty

Software

  • Microsoft Office 365 free to UMassD students 

Mac 

(Preferred option)

  • 13 inch Macbook Pro
  • OS: Big Sur or later
  • Processor: Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  • Memory: 16GB minimum
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or Greater
  • CoreAudio or ASIO audio support
  • Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan
  • Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

Windows

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909) or later
  • Processor: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  • Memory: 16GB or Greater
  • Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or Greater
  • Monitor: 1920x1080
  • ASIO, DirectSound, or WASAPI audio support
  • Warrenty

Software

  • Finale Music Notation Software
  • Microsoft Office 365 free to UMassD students