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Graphic Design required Equipment and Supplies COSTS
AND SPECIFICATIONS

All prices are estimates and are subject to change. (Issued SPRING 2011)

Required COMPUTER Hardware

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED to purchase an Apple laptop and specified software prior to commencing the program. Have it with you for your first day of class (and for Orientation Day)

Apple Laptops

All current Apple MacBooks and MacBook Pros are capable of running the required software for the Graphic Design program. (The MacBook Air is not suitable for this program) Consider buying an Apple laptop with the fastest processing speed that you can afford. In the long run, the initial expense will be offset by improved software performance and lifespan.

Where to Purchase

Be sure to request educational pricing for hardware and software (often at a substantial discount). It is available only to registered students. You will need valid student ID (identification card or official time-table).
VIU Bookstore – They offer Educational pricing
Heather Fladager - Email: Heather.Fladager@viu.ca  Phone: 250-740-6206
Linda Krusto - Email: Linda.Krusto@viu.ca Phone: 250-740-6203

VIU Apple Education On-line Store http://store.apple.com/ca_edu_95364

MODELS (prices are before tax)

  • MacBook Pro (15” – 17”) 4 gigabytes of RAM - $1749.00, $2049.00 or $2299.00
  • MacBook Pro (13”) 4 gigabytes of RAM - $1149.00 or $1449.00
  • MacBook (13”) with RAM upgrade to 4GB - $1080.00

Your laptop should include a mouse.

AppleCare Protection Plan  strongly recommended
http://store.apple.com/ca_edu_95364/browse/home/applecare

External Hard Drive (Optional but strongly recommended for back up of Artwork, Assignments) 1- 2 terabyte capacity retails for approximately  $100.00 - $150.00 and are widely available.     

TABLET - $90.00 and up (strongly recommended but not required) Some packages include a tablet, mouse, and stylus. Please check with the VIU Bookstore for availability.

IMPORTANT: These are not guaranteed prices but are provided as an indication of what a student may have to pay. We do not service computer hardware or software nor do we support any PCs other than the Macintosh platform. Taxes are extra. A department laptop may be available for a student in considerable financial need. Contact the Graphic Design department to apply.

Required MACINTOSH Software (one-time cost - perhaps future upgrades)

Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5 Design Premium

(includes; Adobe® InDesign® CS5.5 for page layout, Photoshop® CS5.5 Extended for image editing, Illustrator® CS5.5 for vector graphics, Flash® CS5.5 Professional for interactive design, Dreamweaver® CS5.5 for web design and development, and Acrobat® X Pro for Adobe PDF workflows.)

      Mac version                  $399.00 (VIU Bookstore)

Graphic Design students need to pre-order this software!

VIU Bookstore contacts listed below for further information or assistance
Heather Fladager - Email: Heather.Fladager@viu.ca  Phone: 250-740-6206
Linda Krusto - Email: Linda.Krusto@viu.ca Phone: 250-740-6203.

Microsoft Office Mac Home & Student Edition 2011

 Mac version                  $119.95 (www.studica.ca)

Includes: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage for English and elective courses.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

$95.00 (VIU Bookstore)

Upper level students may need to upgrade software to current versions

Be forewarned: although there are many other software packages available, knowledge of these programs is required in the graphic design industry.

Computer printing (ongoing fees)

Our computer labs contain very fine colour printers that consume large quantities of both paper and ink cartridges.  We are unable to supply paper and cartridges for free. You can prepay for your printing ($1.00 for colour and $.10 for b/w) by loading your Vancouver Island University ID card, which will allow access to printing in our lab and various campus locations.

Textbooks (annual fees)

  • Cost of about $500.00 each term.
  • Bring along your program course registration forms and receipts listing the course names and numbers. These numbers will correspond to the Bookstore’s shelving codes (to our current knowledge, all texts are available at the Bookstore).

ANNUAL Progressions and Equipment Loan Fees & DAMAGE DEPOSIT ($75.00 CASH ONLY – Collected at Orientation!!)

  • $10.00 Progressions Fees NON-REFUNDABLE (the fee to participate in the annual year-end student exhibition).
  • $15.00 Equipment Loan Fee (NON-REFUNDABLE)
  • $50.00 Damage Deposit. Held until the end of the academic year. Damage deposits are collected to offset costs due to abuse or misuse of lab equipment and facilities. The intention is to return the full amount at the end of the academic year baring any incidents/expenses.

Locker deposits

  • Obtain lockers at the VIU Bookstore
  • There are two types of lockers in the Art Building available for students to store their work and supplies.
  • They are a large flat drawer and an upright cupboard. There is a refundable deposit of $10.00 for each locker or drawer used and a $10.00 fee for each semester for each locker.

DIGITAL CAMERAS and TRIPOD (one-time fee)

  • Students are expected to have access to a digital camera of at least six megapixels with manual settings capabilities, or a digital SLR of at least five megapixels. Many students will already have digital cameras.
  • Students must also purchase a sturdy tripod. Check with the photo instructor Ellen McCluskey (ellen.mccluskey@viu.ca), concerning any further photography questions.

Course Supplies (first year and annual fees)

  • One-time purchase of Graphic Design supplies kit at approximately $900.00 CDN               (+ GST & PST)
  • In order to save you money, the Bookstore has assembled an art supply kit containing just about everything you will need to complete your assignments in the first year and a good part of the second year and beyond. 
  • The Bookstore buyer has worked very hard to obtain competitive pricing and the savings will be noted when you purchase the kit. If you already have most of the supplies, please add to them to complete the program requirements. Kit savings are about $250.00.
  • Expect to spend an additional $500 to $1000 on supplies each year of the program.