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Updated Mac Graphics Lab
in the Abercrombie Fine Arts Wing
Two new Mac G5 work stations
in the Graphics
Lab with new flat panel displays.
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With the replacement of the four-and-a-half year old computers in
the Mac Graphics Lab the Pine Manor College facility is once again
“state-of-the art.” The new Macintosh G5 1.8 MGhz Dual Processor
64-bit computers are able to run all standard graphics industry software
with no problems and at warp speed. The computers use Apple’s
new OS X Unix-based operating system. It is incredibly stable and
the processing of large graphics files may still cause an application
to “freeze” yet the machine will not crash and need to restart.
The update has increased the number of machines in the lab from nine
to twelve. This increase makes the lab able to accommodate larger
classes and allows us to increase credit hour production.
New Mac G5 work stations in the Graphics Lab.
Reusing some older displays allowed better use of our funds.
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With the new machines we have also been able to update our graphics
software to Adobe’s new Creative Suite*. These inter-related
applications are the industry standard much like Microsoft Office
and allow students to manipulate images for Digital Photography, set
and layout high quality type for Graphic Design, and experiment with
shapes and colors for basic design courses. As we move further into
the 21st Century it becomes more and more important that students
realize the dominant role of computers in the design professions.
Students today have higher expectations about computer equipment and
it plays a role in college choice. If you have been using computers
since grade school you are aware of what is current and do no wish
to take a backward step when selecting a college. This update will
avoid conflicts and compatibility issues with student’s dorm
or home computers and clearly demonstrates the college’s commitment
to providing our students with a quality educational experience.
*Adobe PhotoShop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe InDesign CS,
Adobe GoLive CS and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
Article by: Bob Evans, Professor
of Visual Arts
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