Departmental Technology Recommendations and Requirements

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Departmental Technology Requirements

This guide outlines the technology and equipment students will need for coursework at KCAI. Requirements vary by department—please review the section for your intended major.

 

Each section includes:

  • Required items needed to participate in coursework 
  • Recommended items that support workflow and overall experience

 

 

Required Software for all Departments

 

Adobe Creative Cloud

Provided by KCAI prior to the start of the semester. Students do not need to purchase this independently.

 

 

Foundation

Requirements: Laptop

Recommended: Digital Camera

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

Windows (PC) laptops should meet equivalent performance specifications as Mac (Apple) specifications above.

 

Digital Camera Specification

  • Canon EOS R10 model is recommended

 

Animation

Requirements: Laptop, Wacom One

Recommended: SSD External Drive

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 32GB memory (RAM) minimum recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

Windows (PC) laptops should meet equivalent performance specifications as Mac (Apple) specifications above.

 

Drawing Tablet Specification

  • Wacom One or a similar drawing tablet

SSD External Drive Specifications

  • SSD external drive, 1TB or larger recommended; USB-C connection (or compatible)

Camera Arts (Photography & Filmmaking)

Requirements: SSD External Drive

Recommended: Laptop, HDMI Adapter, SD Card Reader, Lens Cleaning Kit

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 32GB memory (RAM) recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

HDMI Adapter Specifications

  • USB-C to HDMI Adapter

SSD External Drive Specifications

  • SSD external drive, 1TB or larger recommended, USB-C connection (or compatible)

SD Card Reader Specifications

  • SD/microSD card reader, USB-C connection (or compatible)

Standard Lens Cleaning Kit Specifications

  • Air blower, Microfiber cleaning cloth, lens cleaning pen (brush), lens-safe cleaning solution

Illustration

Requirements: Laptop

Recommended: SSD External Drive, Drawing Tablet, HDMI Adapter

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

Drawing Tablet Specification

  • Wacom or any similar pen drawing tablet 

SSD External Drive Specifications

  • SSD external drive, 1TB or larger recommended, USB-C connection (or compatible)

HDMI Adapter Specifications

  • USB-C to HDMI Adapter

Product Design

Requirements: Laptop, External Mouse

Recommended: SSD External Hard Drive

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

Windows (PC) laptops should meet equivalent performance specifications as Mac (Apple) specifications above.

 

External Mouse Specification

  •  Wired or Bluetooth mouse with a scroll wheel

SSD External Drive Specification

  • Minimum 1TB recommended

Graphic Design

Requirements: Laptop

Recommended: SSD External Drive, Wacom Drawing Tablet, HDMI Adapter, Digital Camera

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

SSD External Drive Specifications

  • Minimum 1TB external SSD recommended

Drawing Tablet Specification

  • Wacom or similar drawing tablet

HDMI Adapter Specifications

  • USB-C to HDMI Adapter

Ceramics

Recommended: Laptop or iPad

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

iPad Specifications

iPads support select Adobe applications and are useful for sketching and light editing.

  • iPad Pro or iPad Air with M-series chip
  • 8GB memory (RAM) minimum (16GB recommended for larger files and multitasking)
  • 256GB storage minimum (512GB or higher recommended for media work)
  • Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation or newer)
  • 11” or 13” screen based on preference

Fiber

Recommended: Laptop or iPad

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

iPad Specifications

iPads support select Adobe applications and are useful for sketching and light editing.

  • iPad Pro or iPad Air with M-series chip
  • 8GB memory (RAM) minimum (16GB recommended for larger files and multitasking)
  • 256GB storage minimum (512GB or higher recommended for media work)
  • Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation or newer)
  • 11” or 13” screen based on preference

Painting

Recommended: Laptop

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

Printmaking

Recommended: Laptop or iPad

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

iPad Specifications

iPads support select Adobe applications and are useful for sketching and light editing.

  • iPad Pro or iPad Air with M-series chip
  • 8GB memory (RAM) minimum (16GB recommended for larger files and multitasking)
  • 256GB storage minimum (512GB or higher recommended for media work)
  • Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation or newer)
  • 11” or 13” screen based on preference

Sculpture

Recommended: Laptop or iPad

 

 

Laptop Specifications

Mac (Apple)

  • Apple Silicon processor (M-series, such as M2 or newer) 
  • 16GB memory (RAM) minimum (32GB recommended for video, animation, and motion graphics) 
  • 512GB storage minimum (1TB recommended) 
  • 14” or 16” screen- larger screens may improve workflow but are not required 
  • Standard M-series chips are sufficient for coursework
  • Higher-performance options (Pro/Max or newer models) may improve performance and longevity but are not required

iPad Specifications

iPads support select Adobe applications and are useful for sketching and light editing.

  • iPad Pro or iPad Air with M-series chip
  • 8GB memory (RAM) minimum (16GB recommended for larger files and multitasking)
  • 256GB storage minimum (512GB or higher recommended for media work)
  • Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation or newer)
  • 11” or 13” screen based on preference