Creative Technologies (CTK) - 2026

Computer Requirements

Computer Type (laptop only)

CTK Majors must own a MacOS or Windows laptop and bring it to all CTK classes. NO Tablets, Chromebooks, eReaders, etc.. These will not be able to render the type of multimedia that we create in our classes. Linux laptops are acceptable but users must find a way to run the software required for CTK classes (see below).

Computer Specifications

Creative Technologies recommends that students maintain computers that are less than two years old and have a warranty. Students may wish to purchase through Illinois State University’s TechZone Sales Center, in the Bone Student Center, which has many models of laptops on display that can be tried out in-store. TechZone also provides academic discounts and is an authorized repair service for Apple, Dell, HP and Lenovo computers.

Minimum specifications for running CTK applications on macOS (Macintosh) and Windows OS machines (note, Game Development students will need a higher level. See Game Design below):

• 13th-generation Intel Core i5 13600, AMD Ryzen 7000 series, or Apple Silicon M3
• 32GB memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• External drive to archive large media projects
• Cloud-based backup
• 3-button mouse (required for Unity / Game Design)

For laptops, pick a display size that best fits your needs. 13-inch laptops seem to be the right size for portability and tend to be popular for that reason. Larger screens, though less mobile, provide more visual space for a more efficient workflow. Many students have a cheap, second monitor screen which they keep in their personal workspace to connect to their laptops.

Audio Production students will be required to have over-ear headphones (not earbuds). For beginning audio students, these headphones do not need to be expensive. Advanced audio students may wish to upgrade to higher quality headphones and can consult with their instructor for recommendations.

Game Design students should check the system requirements for running the latest version of Unity (https://docs.unity3d.com/6000.0/Documentation/Manual/system-requirements.html). If possible, a laptop that can also run the latest version of Unreal Engine 5.4 is preferred. (https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/hardware-and-software-specifications-for-unreal-engine?application_version=5.4).

Animation and Entertainment Arts students should check the system requirements for running the latest version of Autodesk Maya: (https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-Autodesk-Maya.html). Drawing tablets are recommended but not required and are available to check out for particular courses.

Summary: Suggested laptop starting specs – Windows 11, intel i7 processor (X64 architecture with SSE2 instruction set support), 32 GB ram, 1 TB disk space, Nvidia 4000 series or AMD 7000 series GPUs compatible with DX 10, DX11, DX12.

Software Requirements 

The vast majority of CTK classes use Adobe software, and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is provided to all students, free of charge. Additional software may occasionally be required for specific CTK classes. Students will be notified ahead of time before signing up for such a class and will be required to purchase the software if they enroll in such a class. Required software will not be more expensive than an average textbook.

Commonly Used Programs

Game Design: Unity, Unreal, VS Code, Visual Studio
Audio Production: Ableton, Audition, Max, Logic Pro X
Animation and Entertainment Arts: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Animate, Adobe After-Effects, Autodesk Maya
Video Production: Adobe After-Effects, Premiere, Photoshop
Web Design: Visual Studio Code, Firefox, Chrome
Computer Programming: Visual Studio Code, Chrome

Additional Notes

All ISU students will have access to Microsoft Office 365 through Illinois State University. This includes the Microsoft Office basics (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as Outlook calendaring and email. The Illinois State University campus leverages the benefits of Microsoft Office 365 with OneDrive cloud storage. At the time of this writing, all ISU students have 1TB of storage, making OneDrive an excellent utility for backing up files, sharing files with others, and retaining files needed while being mobile. For larger projects, such as video and music creation, CTK students will use their external hard drive. Students should consult with their undergraduate advisor, graduate advisor, or faculty members if they have any questions.

In addition to storage, fast internet connectivity at home is highly recommended. Because of large media file sharing on collaborative projects as well as backing up data, fast connectivity will make a big impact on a project’s workflow and efficiency.