Vis Com Requirements

Visual Communication majors are required to own a laptop computer that meets the minimum specifications listed below before enrolling in FNAR 232: Visual Communication II. All Visual Communication majors and minors are strongly encouraged to purchase a laptop earlier in their studies.

Why a laptop requirement?

Having a personal laptop allows students to research, communicate, and complete school projects on a flexible schedule. Visual Communication students regularly work with large files and use multiple professional design applications, often simultaneously.

The specifications below are intended to help students select a computer that will support their coursework throughout the program.

Apple Macintosh computers are the industry standard for graphic design and remain the dominant platform in the print design, publishing, and multimedia design industries. The Visual Communication program uses Apple Macintosh computers for instruction. Students using a Mac will have the greatest compatibility with the software, equipment, demonstrations, and technical support used within the program.

Minimum laptop specifications

• Computer: Apple MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
• Processor: Apple silicon (M-series processor)
• Memory: 16 GB unified memory minimum; 24 GB or more recommended. Visual Communication coursework includes required motion graphics and video editing projects that benefit from additional memory.
• Storage: 512 GB SSD minimum; 1 TB or more recommended. Motion graphics and video projects can require significant storage space. Internal storage on Apple silicon Macs cannot be upgraded after purchase.
• Display: 13-inch display or larger
• Operating System: Current macOS version compatible with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Ports/Connectivity: A USB-C/Thunderbolt hub or adapters may be needed to connect external storage, displays, projectors, and other peripherals.

Technology changes quickly. Rather than purchasing a computer that only meets today's minimum requirements, students should consider purchasing the best Mac they can reasonably afford. Additional memory and storage are particularly worthwhile investments and can help extend the useful life of a computer as design software becomes more demanding. Students should check for Apple education pricing when purchasing a computer.

Additional Recommended Items

Students are strongly encouraged to have:

• External storage: A portable external SSD with at least 1 TB of storage is recommended for storing and transferring large project files.
• Protective carrying case or sleeve
• Extended warranty/service coverage: AppleCare+ or comparable coverage is recommended.
• Students are responsible for the security of their own equipment. Locks and/or security cables are recommended when appropriate.

Backing Up Your Data

Design files can represent many hours of work and may be difficult or impossible to recreate. Students are responsible for maintaining backups of their files, and important coursework should be stored in more than one location to protect against data loss if a computer or drive fails.

Two common methods for backing up your data are:

• External Drive: Use Apple's Time Machine, the backup software included with macOS, to automatically back up your computer. The backup drive should have approximately 2–3 times the capacity of your computer's internal storage.
• Online Backup Service: Commercial cloud-based backup services can automatically and continuously back up your computer whenever you are connected to the internet.

Using both methods provides additional protection by maintaining both a local and an online backup of your files.

Traditional USB thumb drives are not recommended as a primary method of storing or backing up coursework. Visual Communication projects can contain numerous linked assets and become quite large, making a portable SSD a more practical option.

Note: Loyola provides students with 5 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, which can be used to store and synchronize coursework across devices. Cloud storage should be used alongside a regular backup strategy.