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VCD Laptop and Equipment Requirements
Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Communication Design
Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

The Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Communication Design at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ requires all Visual Communication Design (VCD) majors to have a laptop. The department primarily operates in a Mac-based environment, which aligns with industry standards in visual communication design. Most faculty use Mac systems, and while students may choose to use a Windows-based computer, the specifications must be comparable to those outlined below.

Recommended Laptop Configuration
MacBook Pro

• Apple M4 chip with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU

• 48GB unified memory

• 512GB SSD storage
  

We strongly recommend purchasing through Apple’s education store or an academic discount program. If cost is a concern, aim to match the specifications as closely as possible. Prioritize RAM and GPU performance over screen size or storage capacity.

External Storage

• LaCie Rugged 5TB Portable External HDD

  • USB 3.0/2.0 compatible

  • Shock, dust, and rain resistant

Camera Requirement
All second-year VCD students are required to take VCD 2361A: Digital Photography. This course requires a DSLR camera. A recommended option is:

Please consult your photography instructor before making a purchase to ensure compatibility with course requirements.

Software Requirements

• Adobe Creative Cloud is required for all VCD students.

  • Available at a discounted rate through the university:
    Adobe User Guide – CPP IT

• Additional software may be required for specific classes. These will be communicated by the course instructor.

Additional Recommendations
While not required, the following items may improve workflow and productivity:

• Mouse

• External keyboard (for home use)

• Second monitor (for home use)

• iPad Pro with Apple Pencil

• GoPro camera