All students are strongly encouraged to have a laptop computer. Students are also recommended to purchase additional warranty and coverage for accidental damage, external storage for secure backups of classwork and personal information, and a security lock.
Adobe Creative Cloud at VPA: Adobe Creative Cloud is available for free on shared computers in ITS labs across campus. VPA students enrolled in specific classes will have access on their personal device during the semester they are enrolled in a participating class. Students in the Department of Film and Media Arts (FMA) receive a personal device license while enrolled in FMA courses.
Below you will find additional recommendations for specific VPA departments, schools and programs.
Laptops capable of running Adobe Creative Suite are recommended. |
Students should own a computer. Computer labs are available for any platform-specific classes. |
Printable School of Design Computer Recommendations [Word] A laptop computer is expected for all students in the School of Design. The School recommends laptops for their easy portability between a residence and studio space. This computing flexibility is paired with access to the Warehouse computer lab for major-specific computer courses. During the first year, students will be required and expected to have access to Adobe Creative Cloud and Trimble SketchUp Free. We recommend subscribing to Creative Cloud Student Edition. Syracuse University provides students with Microsoft Office 365 and Google G Suite. These services are ideal for backup, group work and file sharing. Design Studies Students in the Design Studies program should follow the computing requirements for Communications Design; please see below. Environmental & Interior DesignStudents in the EDI program will need the computing capacity to run Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk AutoCAD, McNeel Rhino 3D (Windows OS), Trimble Sketchup, Autodesk Revit, and rendering plug-ins such as Enscape or Keyshot. The EDI program and Warehouse Lab are set up to principally support computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system. Although in the past it has been possible to run Windows on Macbooks, Apple’s ARM-based Macs (M1) will not support Boot Camp to install and run Windows 10 on the machines. All incoming EDI freshmen should be equipped with computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system to run Windows apps required by the program. We DO NOT suggest a Macbook for EDI students. Minimum Technical Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
Optional Accessories
Communications DesignThe Communications Design major— much like the Communications Design industry— uses Apple Macintosh computers as their primary tool platform for getting work done. Based on our experience we offer the following guidelines as a set of minimum requirements for student computers. Minimum Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
Optional Accessories
Fashion DesignIn the fashion design industry, Apple Macintosh computers are used as a primary tool platform for getting work done. We offer these guidelines for minimum requirements for fashion design student computers. Minimum Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
A laptop computer is expected for all students in the School of Design. The School recommends laptops for their easy portability between a residence and studio space. This computing flexibility is paired with access to the Warehouse computer lab for major-specific computer courses. During the first year, students will be required and expected to have access to Adobe Creative Cloud and Trimble SketchUp Free. We recommend subscribing to Creative Cloud Student Edition. Syracuse University provides students with Microsoft Office 365 and Google G Suite. These services are ideal for backup, group work and file sharing. Environmental & Interior DesignStudents in the EDI program will need the computing capacity to run Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk AutoCAD, McNeel Rhino 3D (Windows OS), Trimble Sketchup, Autodesk Revit, and rendering plug-ins such as Enscape or Keyshot. The EDI program and Warehouse Lab are set up to principally support computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system. Although in the past it has been possible to run Windows on Macbooks, Apple’s ARM-based Macs (M1) will not support Boot Camp to install and run Windows 10 on the machines. All incoming EDI freshmen should be equipped with computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system to run Windows apps required by the program. We DO NOT suggest a Macbook for EDI students. Minimum Technical Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
Optional Accessories
Communications DesignThe Communications Design major— much like the Communications Design industry— uses Apple Macintosh computers as their primary tool platform for getting work done. Based on our experience we offer the following guidelines as a set of minimum requirements for student computers. Minimum Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
Optional Accessories
Fashion DesignIn the fashion design industry, Apple Macintosh computers are used as a primary tool platform for getting work done. We offer these guidelines for minimum requirements for fashion design student computers. Minimum Guidelines
Additional Smart Computing Tools
Optional Accessories
Industrial & Interaction DesignStudents in the IID program will need computing capacity to run Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk products, SolidWorks, Rhino 3D and KeyShot. Minimum Guidelines
For digital sketching, it is recommended that students purchase either a Wacom or Huion digital pen tablet to use with their laptop or an iPad. For students that desire a comprehensive all in one solution, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 is the recommended laptop solution that also supports digital sketching.
Industrial & Interaction DesignStudents in the IID program will need computing capacity to run Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk products, SolidWorks, Rhino 3D and KeyShot. Minimum Guidelines
For digital sketching, it is recommended that students purchase either a Wacom or Huion digital pen tablet to use with their laptop or an iPad. For students that desire a comprehensive all in one solution, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 is the recommended laptop solution that also supports digital sketching. |
Department of Drama, All Majors:Printable 2022 Department of Drama Supply List [PDF]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you have questions, please contact your Program Coordinator or Assistant Program Coordinator.
Acting Katie McGerr kemcgerr@syr.edu Thom Miller tmiller@syr.edu Musical Theater Brian Cimmet bcimmet@syr.edu Kathleen Wrinn kawrinn@syr.edu Stage Management Don Buschmann dgbuschm@syr.edu Theater Management Jim Clark jaclark@syr.edu Jill Anderson jianders@syr.edu
Theater Design & Technology Carmen Martinez cmarti46@syr.edu Rob Andrusko randrusk@syr.edu All Majors:
ActingRequired Equipment:
Musical Theater
Required Equipment:
Highly recommended:
Optional, but nice to have
Requirements for Dance Classes (All Musical Theater Students)
Please note: All dance attire must present as clean, professional, and tidy. Please refer to syllabi for specific instructor requirements. Additional dance supplies suggestions
Stage ManagementFor DRD 140/240, a personal tools kit that includes the following: Required:
Recommended:
Please note that if you already have any of these, you do not need to buy new.
Theater Design and TechnologyIn the TDT area you will not be required to buy many textbooks, however, you will need a variety of supplies that will be used every year you are in the program. Required:
- PPE: o Safety Glasses o Hearing Protection o Gloves - Tools: o Retractable metal Tape Measure – at least 25’ long and with 1/16” marks o 8” Adjustable Crescent Wrench with hole for attaching a lanyard o Good quality scissors o Olfa Knives (Utility Knife and Olfa 300) o X-Acto Knife with replacement blades - Rulers: o Architect Scale Ruler (NOT engineer, the scales are different) – 1/8”, ¼”/ ½” etc o 6” 45/45 Triangle o 8” 30/60/90 Triangle o 6” or 8” Adjustable Triangle o Small Circle Template o Metal ruler (18” and 36”) – with cork or rubber backing o Clear rulers (6” and 12”) Here is a link: https://www.dickblick.com/products/westcott-plastic-rulers/ - For Drafting: o Large Bow Compass 6” o Sandpaper Pad o Drafting Dots/Drafting Tape o Eraser, white and soft o Pencils (mechanical or wood): HB, 2H. 3H, 4H, B, 2B, 3B, 4B o Sharpener for pencil of choice o Erasing shield, with row of small circles o Drafting Brush - Papers: o Vellum, 17lb 36” wide roll, or 24” x 36” sheets o Tracing paper, 18” x 24” pad or 18” wide roll, white or yellow o 24x36” Newsprint pad o 9x12” Bristol board o 9x12” pad of Watercolor Paper o Illustration Board - For Model Making: o Two 20x30” sheets of Black Foam Core (3/16” thick) (you can wait on this and buy a large box as a class) o Sobo Glue o Tacky Glue o Gesso o Scale lumber and dowels o Emory Board (nail file) o Modelmaking tweezers o Straight Pins o Rabbet Cutter - Art Supplies: o Watercolor set – pans or tubes (Winsor Newton, Holbein, Derwent, Koi are good, not fewer than 12 colors) o Acrylic Paint – Liquitex or Golden are good options and give good coverage. Colors below:
o Sketchbook – Canson XL or Strathmore Visual are good – no smaller than 8.5x11” o Masking Tape o Black Masking tape o Palette – Can be palette paper o A container for water o UHU Glue Stick o Brushes (Synthetic watercolor are good): These are 2 good
o Clear pushpins o Micron pens Recommended:
- A good Multi-tool (Gerber, Leatherman, or similar quality) - French Curves - Large 45/45 Triangle (especially for Lighting Designers) - Beam Compass - Splined Curved Rule - Ellipse Template - Large Circle Template - Drafting Dry‐cleaning Pad or powder - Set of “Needle Files” |
Students in the Setnor School of Music use computers to access course materials, research music concepts, strengthen music theory and aural skills, collaborate with classmates, and communicate with faculty. Student computers should be capable of word processing, e-mail, internet browsing, music notation, and audio/midi/video editing. The Setnor School of Music supports student use of both Macintosh and PC platforms. It is strongly recommended that students consider purchasing a 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro laptop (8 or 10-Core CPU) computer model tailored for use at Syracuse University. Detailed information, including specifications and ordering information for the preferred laptops, is available online at the SU Bookstore or SU IT Services. Syracuse University provides students with Microsoft Office 365 and Google G Suite. These services are ideal for backup, individual and group work, and file sharing. |
All Film and Media Arts majors receive a personal-device license of AdobeCreative Cloud to install and use the Creative Cloud software on a personally-owned computer while enrolled in FMA courses. Based on the current licensing agreement with Adobe, which is subject to change, enrolled students have year-round subscriptions. After the first year, some additional software purchases may be required based on course of study and are included in course syllabi. Apple and Adobe products are available at academic discounts from the SU Bookstore. The following are the minimum required computer specifications. Art Photography Majors
Computer Art and Animation Majors
Film Majors
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