Academic Computing Services

700 Beacon Street, 3rd Floor
617.585.6663

601 Newbury Street, Lower Level
800.773.0494 ext. 2030

Facilities | Discounts | Recommendations | Requirements

Academic Computing Services at AIB provides students with state-of-the-art equipment for learning and for producing comprehensive digital works. Students utilize these facilities to construct professional portfolios and to access a variety of creative mediums outside the traditional studio atmosphere.

Equipment and Facilities

The AIB digital graphics and media studios are equipped with hardware and software designed to support the requirements of illustrators, fine artists, photographers, graphic designers, and animators. The facilities boast a variety of Apple computing solutions including, but not limited to, powerPCs, iBook G4s, and Intel equipped iMacs. These machines are also equipped with an equally varied array of peripheral devices such as media readers, CD/DVD-R/RW burners, color and B/W laser printers, wide-format printers, flatbed and slide scanners, as well as digital acquisition devices, which include digital still- and video- cameras.

The computing facilities also offer the industry standard software packages such as the Adobe Design Premium Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Bridge. Some of our studios provide specialized software; our digital video/animation studio offers the most current versions of Maya, Final Cut Studio, and Adobe After Effects. Of course, we also provide additional software support for Corel Painter X, Microsoft Office, iLife Suite, and many others.

There are more than 100 computers available for student use on the Cambridge campus.  All of the computers are iMacs running a dual boot environment giving you the ability to use both Windows and OS X compatible applications.  For more details regarding computers on the Cambridge campus, please visit the University Technology site.

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Educational Discounts Available

Through an arrangement with Harvard University, AIB and Lesley students receive educational discounts on Apple computer hardware and software. Visit the AIB/Lesley portal within the Harvard Technology Services website to download the latest price guide; students may contact Harvard Technology Services at 617.495.5450 and place orders directly.

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Computer Recommendations

The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University has wireless networking for computers in most of its classrooms and work areas. Students using a laptop computer equipped with a wireless card can print or go online in almost any area of the school.

Apple laptops are required for design students (see below) and recommended for other students.

Recommendations for both computers and software are the same for design students (below) as for students who are likely to work with larger files for their artwork (particularly photo, animation, video, and illustration).

Students are advised to purchase the higher-end MacBook Pro, but they may consult the academic department chairs or the Academic Computing staff to confirm that their purchases match their needs. If students are unsure of their interests in digital work, they can wait until their first semester at school before making a purchase.

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Computer Requirements for Design Students

All design students are required to have an Apple laptop computer by the beginning of their freshman year (or for certificate students, as they enter the program). Computers are used extensively by design majors in their first-semester design course, and in most design courses throughout their academic career.

Requirements for design students (as of Summer 2011) are:

Minimum configuration for computer:
MacBook Pro 13.3-inch - Dual-core Intel Core i7 Processor
2.7GHz 4GB/500GB, 384MB shared graphics. MC724LL/A

Recommended configuration for computer:
MacBook Pro15.4-inch - Quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor
2.0GHz 4GB/500GB, SuperDrive, 256MB graphics. MC721LL/A

(Note: if already owned, a PC that runs Adobe's Creative Suite can be used. If purchasing new, this is not a recommended option.)

Required software for designers:
Current Adobe CS Design Premium (CS 5 is current; CS 4 or 3 are acceptable if previously purchased)
Note that software used immediately includes InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Photoshop

Strongly recommended:
Extended AppleCare warranty (3 years phone and hardware support)
Small hard-drive for file backup (500 GB)
Adobe Font Folio Education Essentials, Microsoft Office software or Apple iWorks
3rd party warranty for accidental damage like getting wet or dropped

Check to see if your renters insurance will cover accidental damage, or contact these companies:
Worth Ave Group
Square Trade
Safe Ware
 

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