Otis requires that incoming students own a laptop that meets the minimum system specifications for software used in the Foundation year. This requirement will help ensure that all students have access to the college’s digital resources at home or on campus. As collaboration is a foundation of our curriculum, owning a laptop will promote communication, investigation, and making, both within and outside of the classroom.
If a student has an intended major, please refer to the major department minimum specs below for guidance.
We have selected these configurations to enable a broad range and a long useful life for your computer. As long as your laptop meets the minimum specifications, you are welcome to customize your machine to suit your individual needs. Otis partners with hardware providers for additional discounts for students purchasing a new laptop at the links below. If you already own a laptop with comparable specs to the Otis minimum requirement, you may use that instead. If you think you may have difficulty purchasing a computer before fall classes begin, please contact Admissions at admissions@otis.edu to submit a request for technology assistance.
Please note that Otis provides Adobe Creative Cloud Suite for free to all BFA and MFA students.
Link to Student Software Requirements page
Campus Purchase Links
| Apple Campus Purchase Links | Windows Purchase Links | Technical Questions? |
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Hardware Requirements
OTIS IT suggests investing in a higher-quality laptop that can reliably serve a student throughout their years at Otis. Cheaper models often lack durability and may not be as dependable. For Foundation students who don't require Windows programs, the lower-end M1 Apple MacBook Pros or MacBook Airs could be a suitable choice.
Foundation
Foundation (Mac Laptop)
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14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Processor or better)
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18 GB Unified Memory (RAM)
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1TB SSD Storage
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AppleCare Warranty Recommended
Foundation (PC Laptop)
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At least an Intel Core i7 processor
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Windows 10 or 11
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16 GB of RAM
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RTX 4050 or better Graphics
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1TB SSD Storage
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Wireless networking adapter (for internet)
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Warranty Service Recommended
Minimum Specification by Major
Environmental Design
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Intel i7 or i9 processor (or better)
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Windows 10 or 11
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Minimum 16 GB of RAM
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Nvidia® Quadro or RTX 4050 or better
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1TB SSD Storage
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Warranty Service Recommended
BFA & MFA Graphic Design / Illustration
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14 or 16 inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Processor or Better)
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Minimum 18GB Unified Memory (RAM)
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1TB SSD Storage
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AppleCare Warranty Recommended
Animation & Motion Design / Game and Entertainment Design ( Option #1 Windows)
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Intel i9 processor (or better)
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Windows 10 or 11
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Minimum 32 GB of RAM
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Nvidia® Quadro or RTX 4060 or better
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1TB or larger SSD
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Warranty Service Recommended
Animation & Motion Design / Game and Entertainment Design ( Option #2 Mac)
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14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Max Processor Recommended)
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Minimum 36GB Unified Memory (RAM)
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1TB SSD Storage
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AppleCare Warranty Recommended
Fashion Design
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14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Processor or better)
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Minimum 18 GB Unified Memory (RAM)
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1TB SSD Storage
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AppleCare Warranty Recommended
BFA & MFA Fine Arts
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14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro Processor or better)
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Minimum 18 GB Unified Memory (RAM)
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1TB SSD Storage
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AppleCare Warranty Recommended
Product Design
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Intel i7 or i9 processor (or better)
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Windows 10 or 11
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Minimum 32 GB of RAM
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Nvidia® Quadro or RTX 4050 or better
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1TB SSD Storage
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Warranty Service Recommended
Toy Design
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Intel i7 or i9 processor (or better)
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Windows 10 or 11
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Minimum 32 GB of RAM
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Nvidia® Quadro or RTX 4050 or better
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1TB SSD Storage
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Warranty Service Recommended
Discounted and Free Software
Otis students, staff, and faculty are eligible to access free and trial versions of popular software titles from the following companies. Please note software requests for instruction are coordinated through the department chairs; please contact them for more information.
Link to Minimum Computer Specifications Page
Adobe Creative Cloud (Free for BFA/MFA students at OTIS )
Students
If you're a new student, your access will begin a week before the semester begins.
If you're graduating ( or non-continuing ), access ends two weeks after the semester you are enrolled in ends. Be sure to export and save your projects to your own personal locations if they are stored in the Adobe Cloud. https://creativecloud.adobe.com/cc/?locale=en
If you are and remain registered for classes in the Fall - your access will continue through the Fall semester. The license will extend until the end of Summer, after which your academic license is automatically renewed.
Please try to log in and let IT (helpdesk@otis.edu) know if you need additional assistance.
Staff and Faculty
You lose access to Adobe CC immediately after your employment stops.
Adobe Creative Cloud (Not enrolled for BFA/MFA programs at OTIS but taking classes at a Community College)
If you're enrolled in courses at Santa Monica College or any other California Community College, there's a cost-effective opportunity to access Adobe for just $49.99 for six months.
Rhino 7 for Mac & Windows - ( $138.00 )
https://novedge.com/products/rhino-7-for-mac-and-windows-educational-license
Autodesk - (Free educational license)
Autodesk is not provided by the College for home use, but students and educators can get free one-year educational access to Autodesk products and services, renewable as long as you remain eligible.
More information can be found here:
https://www.autodesk.com/education/edu-software/overview
Cinema 4D, Red Giant, Redshift, Universe, and ZBrush
Plan & Pricing for Students - ( $60.00 per Year )
Educational Licenses for Teaching - ( $199.00 per Year )
Houdini
https://www.sidefx.com/education/education-programs/students/#free_software
KeyShot - (Educational Version)
https://portal.keyshot.com/taxons/education
Microsoft 0ffice 365 - ( Free for BFA/MFA students )
- Go to www.office.com, and if you are not already signed in, select Sign in ( Sign in with your otis email )
- From the Microsoft 365 home page, select Install Office
- Select Office 365 apps to begin the download
- Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the installation
Microsoft Teams
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/download-app
Quixel Suite
https://quixel.com/pricing
SolidWorks – 40 Licenses available only for students and faculty
A license must be requested to helpdesk@otis.edu
ToonBoom StoryBoard & Harmony - We have 50 home-use Licenses available for select Digital Media students.
The ownership and administration of these licenses fall under the purview of the Digital Media department, exclusively designated for select undergraduate Digital Media students.
A license must be requested by sending an email to Ronald Bernard &/or Joffery Black
Toon Boom Personal Licenses for Students
Toon Boom Animation Inc. offers special pricing for Teachers and students.
Please check out their license by following the steps:
- Create your Toon Boom Account: Account Sign-In
- Get your account verified (you will need your faculty ID or student ID): Student Verification
- Purchase the student or teacher licenses: Student Licenses
Unity
https://store.unity.com/academic/unity-student
V-Ray
https://store.chaosgroup.com/educational/product/1-year-term-vray-edu-collection
Figma – Students and teachers get to use the premium version of Figma for free
https://www.figma.com/education/
Laptop FAQs
We recommend waiting until late summer as new system updates are often released mid-summer. We recommend installing your software 2 weeks prior to your arrival to Otis. This will ensure you are running the latest version of the software and allow time to troubleshoot any issues that arise before the start of classes.
If you already have a laptop with comparable specs to the Otis required laptop, you can use your computer. However, buying a new specified model will ensure that your laptop is fully compatible with your department’s curriculum. In addition, it will also ensure that you receive the best possible program support from the college. Otis partners with several vendors to provide Otis students purchasing new laptops additional discounts that they could not otherwise receive on their own.
We have selected this configuration to enable a broad range of use and a long working life for your computer. As long as your laptop meets the minimum specifications, you are welcome to customize your machine to suit your individual needs.
You can do this, particularly if you think you are going to be changing majors, however, we encourage you to talk to your Academic Advisor in Foundation in advance of purchasing a new laptop.
Anyone with an Otis account should connect to the “Otis-Internet” wireless network. For instruction please visit the how to connect to Otis Internet page.
We always recommend that students backup their data in more than one location. While you are enrolled as a student at Otis, you will have unlimited storage available for your use with Google Drive or 1TB with OneDrive. We also recommend that you use your external hard drive to back-up your data.
If you are having difficulty installing the Adobe Creative Cloud or other software, you can come to the ACS Tech Desk in Ahmanson 401 or call the ACS Tech at 310-665-6825 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm). For after-hours support, please email helpdesk@otis.edu and a user support specialist will contact you the following business day.