Graphic Design Computer Specifications
Computers are dramatically affecting the way designers see and think about design. To address this issue, studios will address how technology impacts the design process.
The required design related software places very large demands on the hardware. Design illustrations can take many hours to completely render on the best computers. As students progress through the program, their resulting design illustrations become more complex and place further strains on aging hardware. As a result the minimum requirements are based on recommendations of the most computer intensive software and looking to the future when students will be required to do more complex presentations when their computers are 3 years old.
Hardware | Mac | Approx. Cost: $2899-$3899, depending on upgrade options |
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CPU | 2.9GHz 6-core: 8th-generation Intel Core i9 processor |
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Display | 15" Full HD (1920p) Minimum |
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RAM | 32GB 2400 MHz DDR4 memory |
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Disk Storage | 1TB SSD storage |
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Video Card/Graphics | Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB memory |
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Warranty | 3-Year Apple Care warranty strongly recommended |
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External Mouse | Magic Mouse 2 |
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External Hard Drive | portable Mac Use 4TB External Hard Drive |
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Flash Drive | 64GB Flash Drive |
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Operating System | 10.12.6 (macOS Mojave) OR above |
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To Purchase: | University Bookstore |
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To facilitate student competency in top-rated software products demanded by industry professionals, SDSU requires students to purchase current versions of software packages from Adobe. It is imperative that students have the required software packages purchased and properly installed PRIOR to their first day of studio in their second year of the program (FALL of 2nd year). Students with questions or needing clarification should contact Professor Young Ae Kim at YoungAe.Kim@sdstate.edu. Questions about the installation process should contact the SDSU Support Desk (see below for contact information).
Software (Student Licenses) |
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|---|---|---|
Business | MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR MAC 2011 (FREE through SDSU - Jacks e-mail Office 365 to access) | Typ. $149.99 |
Design | Adobe Creative Cloud | $19.99/mo. |
Students may be asked to purchase additional software, such as Webflow and InVision in conjunction with additional coursework. Any additional software purchases will be disclosed prior to students’ class registration.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
SDSU and the School of Design at SDSU prohibits the use of pirated software. Students who have pirated software on their computers will not be serviced and can be reported. Students are expected to maintain proof of ownership for all software, and will be expected to maintain a file cataloging of all software license numbers, serial numbers, etc.
Be advised that it takes 2-6 weeks for laptops with custom specifications to be received after purchase. Students should plan ahead accordingly to ensure their computer has been received, software loaded, and full functionality ensured prior to the first day of class in their second year.
Direct sales of specific software packages may be required. See the following websites for information about those packages.
4. Contact the Support Desk with any issues: sdsu.supportdesk@sdstate.edu Phone: 605-688-6776