first year foundation laptop program

The First Year Foundation Laptop Program conveniently provides participants with an affordable Apple MacBook Pro laptop and a software package linked to their first year foundation coursework. Students may choose either the laptop or traditional track for their first year of study.

Laptop track: In the laptop track, students take the 2D/Digital and Color/Digital courses in a studio classroom that integrates digital and hand work in an immediate and fluid way. Design problems are solved through moving seamlessly between media. The laptop is also used in other studio courses, and in the art history and English composition courses. Students may purchase a new MacBook Pro computer with all of the software that is required for their first year courses through a partnership between CVA and Apple. Students may also participate in the laptop track if they already own a MacBook Pro that meets the specifications. Most CVA buildings have WiFi access, so students can do research – both visual and textual -- on the Internet at any time. A big advantage of participation in the laptop program is the flexibility to work at any location – at home, at the student lounge, or at the coffee shop.

Traditional track: The first year foundation curriculum has the same basic structure for all students, regardless of track. Students in the traditional track do their digital work in the CVA computer labs, and move between a traditional studio classroom and the computer lab during their 2D/Digital and Color/Digital classes. The integration of hand and digital methods of solving design problems is still a critical part of students’ experience, but the connections are more fluid and immediate in the laptop track. 

Participation Requirements

Students interested in participating in the program must have a laptop that meets the laptop specifications. Those that do not own a laptop can purchase a MacBook Pro through CVA or choose purchase one on their own.

Step One

Applicants must be accepted and deposited students for the Fall 2012 Semester before June 1, 2012.

Step Two
Complete the online First Year Foundation Program Application (given to deposited students) before June 1, 2012. A confirmation of participation will be sent prior to New Student Registration.

Please contact the Admissions Office with questions about the program  at 800.224.1536 or admissions@cva.edu.

Laptop Specifications:

SOFTWARE
Apple OS 10.7 (Lion) or latest version
Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium

• Photoshop Extended
• Illustrator 
• InDesign 
• Flash Catalyst 
• Flash Professional 
• Dreamweaver 
• Fireworks 
• Acrobat X Pro

Apple iLife '11

• Garage Band
• iPhoto
• iMovie
• iDVD
• iWeb

Microsoft Office v2011

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint