Technology

To do the best work, you'll need the right gear.

CCAD has all the cutting-edge tech tools you'll need to turn your creative dreams into reality. Our computer labs are loaded with the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud and other industry-standard software. Plus, we've got 3D printers, laser-cutting tools and plenty of 21-inch Cintiq tablets for you to draw on. Not to mention high-quality, large-format printers so you can see your work translate onto paper.

If you have any tech questions, the CCAD Information Technology staff are here to help. Contact the IT Help Desk at 614.222.6174, [email protected].

Scheduled Server Maintenance:
The IT Department performs server maintenance during the hours of 9pm-3am Friday evening into Saturday morning every week. As a result of this maintenance, campus IT services should be expected to experience interruptions during this time frame.

IT Help Desk:
To schedule an in-person or remote support appointment with the Help Desk, email [email protected] or use our online booking page.

Digital Print Lab:

The Digital Print Lab is acccepting online orders only at this time. Submit an order using our online order form, and once we confirm we'll complete the prints within one business day. Prints will be available for pay and pick up at the Ampersand Emporium in Design Square Apartments. We cannot ship prints, if you are not based locally you'll need to order prints from your local print shop.
 

Regular Hours

Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer, Winter Break Hours

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Technology recommendations & guidelines for incoming students
 

Recommended laptop specifications

While having a laptop is a requirement as a CCAD student, it can be confusing knowing which one will best fit your needs. Use the table of recommendations below to help you purchase the right laptop for your intended area of study. You can purchase Mac laptops at the Apple Education Store, PC laptops at the Dell University Store, and Wacom MobileStudio Pro systems at the Wacom Student Discount page.

We support Windows or macOS; we do not support Linux or ChromeOS. Linux and ChromeOS cannot run most of the software titles you will need to use as a CCAD student.

You must get a laptop that meets the minimum requirements listed for your area of study in the table below. If you need any information about our recommendations, please reach out to the Chair of your intended major.

MFA Visual Arts students should refer to major in the table below that most closely relates to their discipline. For example, MFA students whose work is photography-focused should refer to Photography, etc.

Mac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major

OS

Memory

Processor

Storage

Video

Battery

Suggested model

How much will this cost me?*
Photography macOS 12 Monterey or newer 8GB RAM Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine 512GB Integrated graphics standard battery (not customizable) MacBook Air $1,149.00
Comics, Illustration, Advertising & Graphic Design macOS 12 Monterey or newer 16GB RAM Apple M1 Pro chip with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine 512GB Integrated graphics standard battery (not customizable) 14-in MacBook Pro $1,849.00
Film & Video macOS 12 Monterey or newer 16GB RAM Apple M1 Pro chip with 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine 1TB** Integrated graphics standard battery (not customizable) 16-in MacBook Pro $2,499.00
                 

PC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major

OS

Memory

Processor

Storage

Video

Battery

Suggested model

How much will this cost me?*
Interior Design, Fashion Design Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit 16GB RAM Intel Core i5 11th-gen 512GB SSD*** Integrated Intel Iris Xe with 1080p display standard battery (not customizable) Dell XPS 13 Laptop $1440.59
Animation, Industrial Design, Game Design Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit 32GB RAM Intel Core i7 11th-gen 2TB SSD*** Discrete 4Gb Graphics Card with 1080p display 6-cell or higher Dell Precision 5560 OR Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 $2,399.00, $3,499.95
                 

Either Mac or PC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major

OS

Memory

Processor

Storage

Video

Battery

Suggested model

How much will this cost me?*
Fine Arts, Art History macOS 12 Monterey or newer 8GB RAM Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine 512GB Integrated graphics standard battery (not customizable) MacBook Air $1,149.00
Fine Arts, Art History Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit 16GB RAM Intel Core i5 11th-gen 256GB SSD Integrated Intel Iris Xe with 1080p display standard battery (not customizable) Dell XPS 13 Laptop $979.99

 

*Prices are based on "student" or "educational" discounted rates. Prices listed are subject to change, and do not include additional, external storage or accessories such as a mouse, adapters, or extra charge cables.

**Additional 1TB SSD external hard drive recommended

***Upgrade internal storage or add additional external drive

 

 

Adobe Creative Cloud

CCAD BFA and MFA students have full access to Adobe Creative Cloud apps using their CCAD email address. Click here for instructions to download and install the Creative Cloud apps.

 

Antivirus software

Our IT Help Desk can recommend software to keep your files safe. Contact us by emailing [email protected], or by calling 614.222.6174

 

Backing up your files

You have access to unlimited storage on your Google Drive as part of your CCAD account. Store important files here to make sure they are safely backed up in the cloud.

 

A USB flash drive

Or some other form of external storage to move your files between classroom stations and your laptop. Make sure not to keep the only copy of your files on your external storage in case it is lost or damaged.

 

A digital drawing tablet

Tablets are available in person at the Ampersand Emporium. Funds for this are included in the Freshman Supply Kit.