Facilities & Equipment

WCAD’s computer labs are simply the best offered of any regional college. Students have access to three state-of-the-art Macintosh computer labs with 12-15 work stations each. All are networked together to a 165 GB server that allows students backup and transfer capabilities, and access to their projects no matter what lab they are in. The newest computer lab has 15 student workstations of Dual 2 GHz Power PC G5 computers (DVD burning capabilities), with an additional instructor station G5 hooked up to a high-resolution scanner. All workstations are paired with Apple’s 20-inch cinema screen flat panel displays, offering a large work surface that offers incredible viewing capabilities.

The other two labs offer 1.25 GHz G4 computers with 1 GB RAM and 150 GB hard drives with DVD and CD writing capabilities paired with 20-inch cinema screen flat panel displays. All computer labs are running the latest Mac OSX operating system. The latest versions of software on our Macs include Adobe’s Photoshop 7, Illustrator 10, InDesign 2, ImageReady 7, and Acrobat Pro 6. We also work with Quark 6.1 and Macromedia’s Dreamweaver, Flash & Fireworks MX. Some computers are also equipped with the digital editing software Final Cut Pro. In fall 2005, the labs will be upgraded to the Adobe CS Creative Suite softwares. Our current system allows students to master the relevant tools and technologies needed to communicate through print, web, interactive and multimedia design.

To make sure printed pieces look as professional as possible, a commercial-grade Canon 1180 printer/copier is networked to each computer station, allowing high-quality prints up to 12x18 resulting in professional looking mockups for student projects and portfolio pieces. Students also have access to black & white HP Laserjet printers for initial proofs, as well as professional Epson scanners, all orchestrated to enable students to create professional quality comprehensives to best present their ideas.

Not only do the computer labs have the best and newest technologies, but they are also set up in a manner conducive to learning. Instead of setting up desks in rows, the Watkins computer labs have workstations lining the perimeter of the rooms. This makes room for worktables in the center of the rooms where students and professors can gather to discuss projects, review thumbnails and give LCD lectures. The open format rooms also make it easier for teachers to interact with each student, addressing their needs one-on-one.

All graphic design studios provide additional resources in the form of type sample books, Pantone swatch books, design annuals, stock photo books with CDs, magazines, paper samples, and paper swatch books.

Other resources include an extensive periodicals collection in the library, carrying the latest issues of such industry standard publications as Communication Arts and Print, as well as European publications like UK’s Baseline. The graphic design section of the library contains many volumes of books on everything from the history of design to current web design techniques. The library is continually updated with newly released books providing design students with a convenient, valuable resource.