The Bachelor of Fine Arts undergraduate degree program has some additional fees required for materials, technology, and laboratory materials that enhance an art student’s education that are automatically assessed to students. The Mississippi State University Department of Art strives to be able to offer comparatively low lab fees thanks to support from alumni and friends.
Students also need to purchase a variety of tools and materials to help them succeed in their studio coursework.
Equipment, Material and Tool Requirements
The Department of Art requires all incoming BFA Art majors to purchase certain technology and equipment necessary for viewing, presenting, and/or the production of artwork within Departmental courses.
Computer
All incoming students should expect to purchase a personal laptop computer and software upon enrollment into their first semester courses.
Financial aid that includes this requirement may be available by contacting the MSU Student Financial Aid and Scholarship office.
The department recommends that students purchase one of the recommended computers below, as these have been structured to meet all of the requirements necessary for courses in the department (all concentrations).
Even though several options are provided below, the department suggests the first recommendation. This is the most expensive option, but by purchasing a quality machine now, the useful and efficient life of the computer is extended. Thus, the student will be able to save money in the long run.
2024 Specs (Updated July 2024)
Tier 1: Graphics heavy, able to edit video content, items associated with animation, graphic design, and photo editing processes (Recommended for graphic design/photography students)
- 16-inch MacBook Pro: $2,699.00*
Apple M3 Pro chip with 12-core CPU, 18- core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
36GB unified memory
512GB SSD storage
Tier 2: Usually a balance of being able to do basic video/animation, but more intended for average graphic design, photo editing, and digital drawing tasks. (Minimum for graphic design/photography students)
- 15-inch MacBook Air: $1,599.00*
Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10- core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
16GB unified memory
512GB SSD storage
Tier 3: This is usually the most affordable option, capable of running most average Adobe Cloud software. (Recommended for most art students)
- 15-inch MacBook Air: $1,199.00*
Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
8GB unified memory
256GB SSD storage
*Education Pricing before taxes
Note: These options do not include optional accessories such as Apple’s USB SuperDrive which is their external CD/DVD drive. CD/DVD drives are no longer included in current computers manufactured by Apple.
The costs associated with each recommendation were compiled from Apple’s Education Store. Prices are subject to change, per Apple. These recommendations reflect the requirement of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, which provides access to programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and others. These programs are extremely RAM-intensive. The more RAM the computer has, the better the programs will operate.
The Department strongly recommends that students purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for any computer purchase. This extends the manufacturer warranty to 3 years from the date of purchase and covers most damage.
Software
Students must purchase an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, which provides access to programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and others. These programs are extremely RAM-intensive. The more RAM the computer has, the better the programs will operate.
For students majoring in all concentrations, the following software is required:
-
Adobe Creative Cloud Student Subscription
Eligibility: Currently enrolled MSU students
Cost: $150 per academic year
Academic Year: August 10th of the current fall semester to August 9th of the following year. Example - August 10, 2022 - August 9, 2023.
Payment: This fee will be charged to your A/R account.
More information: https://www.adobe.msstate.edu
Printer
A printer is not required, but strongly recommended. Printers are available in the Universal Art & Technology Lab (UATL), but only during specified hours. Students are charged set fees for printing.
Any high-quality color inkjet printer capable of printing 13"×19" or larger prints is acceptable.
Recommended Printers:
- Epson Artisan 1430
- Epson Stylus Photo R2000
- Epson Expression XP-15000
- Epson SureColor P400
- Epson SureColor P700
More information: epson.com/wide-format-printers-comparison
Camera
The Mississippi State University Department of Art requires that all art majors provide their own digital camera upon registering for ART 2103: Photography Survey. Photography Survey is a beginning photography course for the art major with an emphasis placed on learning the camera’s manual features for precise control and accurate results in exploring the fundamentals and aesthetics of photography.
The Department recommends that students purchase a camera with the outlined minimum specifications below. The specification list has been structured to meet all of the requirements necessary for ART 2103: Photography Survey. This list is intended for students NOT majoring in photography. However, it is permissible for students to purchase a camera that exceeds the minimum specifications listed below.
Minimum Camera Specifications (non-photography concentration):
- Camera Type: DSLR, Digital Rangefinder, Mirrorless Camera System
- Manual Override: Yes
- Pixels: 10 megapixels
- Sensor Type: full frame or crop sensor
- File Formats: RAW, JPEG, TIFF
- ISO Sensitivity: 200–1600
- Shutter Speeds: bulb, 30 seconds to 1/4000
- Lens Focal Length: 18–55 mm, 24–70 mm, or 50 mm
- Lens Aperture: 3.5–5.6
- Focus Mode: Manual
- Video: Yes
Suggested Cameras:
- Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, or Sony brand cameras that meet the outlined specs
The Department recommends that students intending to major in photography purchase a current camera model with the most up-to-date specifications since the camera will be used throughout their undergraduate careers as they advance in the program. This will allow students to grow with their equipment as they learn new techniques in classes beyond ART 2103: Photography Survey and begin to establish themselves as professional photographers. The specification list has been structured to meet the requirements necessary for the Photography Concentration. However, it is permissible for students to purchase a camera that exceeds the minimum specifications listed below.
Minimum Camera Specifications (photography concentration)
- Camera Type: DSLR, Digital Rangefinder, Mirrorless Camera System
- Manual Override: Yes
- Pixels: 18 megapixels or higher
- Sensor Type: full frame or crop sensor
- File Formats: RAW, JPEG, TIFF
- ISO Sensitivity: 100–3200
- Shutter Speeds: bulb, 30 seconds to 1/4000
- Lens Focal Length: 18–55 mm, 24–70 mm Zoom Lens 50 mm Prime Lens
- Lens Aperture: 3.5–5.6 Zoom Lens, 1.8 Prime Lens
- Focus Mode: Manual
- HD Video: Yes, 24 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps
All students enrolled in ART 2103: Photography Survey and all students majoring in Photography are responsible for providing their own user’s manual for the camera, memory cards, battery and charger, and download cables. If there are any questions about the equipment, students should contact the photography professor(s) prior to enrolling in the class.
General Materials List for Foundation Program courses
- Newsprint pad 18 11 x 24 11 (at least 50 sheets)
- Sketchbook 9" x 12" (spiral bound)
- Black construction paper (one pack)
- Acrylic Paint
- Ivory Black and Titanium White (Golden or Liquitex)
- Nylon Brushes for acrylics (best quality you can afford)
- 1 /2" flat
- #6 or #8 round
- 00 round
- Paper palette 9" x 12"
- Six plastic containers with lid (no larger than 2 oz.)
- Roll of blue painters tape 3/4"
- Black Sharpie markers (fine, ultra fine and chisel)
- Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
- White vinyl eraser
- Kneaded eraser
- Pink Pearl eraser
- Self-Healing Cutting Mat (approximately 12 11 x 18 11)
- #1 X-acto knife
- #11 X-acto blades
- Scissors
- 24" Metal ruler (cork backed)
- Metal compass
- Rubber Cement
- Rubber Cement Pick-Up
- Workable Spray Fixative (large can)
- Some sort of box to carry your supplies safely (i.e. ArtBin or tackle)
- Drawing Board 24" x 30" (made of Masonite) (needs to fit inside your portfolio)
- Portfolio 24" x 30" (water resistant)
(Additional materials will be needed for each class)