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.

The Microcomputer Center, part of Sherrill Library at the Lesley campus in Cambridge, has more than seventy microcomputers (Macintosh's, IBM PCs, etc.) for student use at almost all hours, as well as 1,300 software packages.

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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 purchase an Apple laptop computer by the beginning of their second semester of freshman year (certificate students, as they enter the program).

Students are advised to wait until they need a computer to actually purchase one, as models are upgraded frequently. Requirements for design students (as of May 2009) are:

Minimum configuration for computer:
MacBook, 13.3 inch screen, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB/250GB (or 4GB/250GB); any larger capacity or larger screen Mac laptop is also acceptable

More powerful choice for students working with video, animation or large scale photography:
MacBook Pro, 15.4 inch screen, 2.4GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo 2GB/250GB 256MB Graphics card or MacBook Pro, 15.4 inch screen, 2.66Hz, Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB/320 512MB Graphics card (more expensive, but perhaps a longer-term investment)

Required software for designers:
Current Adobe CS Design Premium

Strongly recommended:
Extended AppleCare warranty (3 years)
Adobe Font Folio Education Essentials
Microsoft Office software or Apple iWorks

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