Your guide to the 2022 AP Art and Design Exam

AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio

The Selected Works consists of 5 works demonstrating 2-D skills and synthesis of materials, processes and ideas.Along with each work, you have to write about the ideas evident, the materials used, and the processes that were utilized (100 characters maximum per section).

The Sustained Investigation (SI) consists of 15 works demonstrating sustained investigation through practice, experimentation and revision, along with sustained investigation and synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas, and your 2-D skills.

In writing you have to include the guiding question or inquiry for your sustained investigation and describe how your SI shows practice, experimentation, and revision that was guided by your chosen question.

For each image you submit, you have to include the materials and processes used along with its size. 

AP Drawing Portfolio

The Selected Works consists of 5 works that show your drawing skills and synthesis of materials, processes and ideas.

Along with each work, you have to write about the ideas evident, the materials used, and the processes that were utilized (100 characters maximum per section).

The Sustained Investigation is made up of 15 works demonstrating sustained investigation through practice, experimentation and revision, along with sustained investigation and synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas, and your drawing abilities.

In writing you have to include the guiding question or inquiry for your sustained investigation and describe how your SI shows practice, experimentation, and revision that was guided by your chosen question.

For each image you submit, you have to include the materials and processes used along with its size. 

When is the 2023 AP Art and Design Portfolio Deadline?

The portfolio is due by your tea​cher’s established deadline. This will be in April.  The portfolio will be uploaded online through the digital submission web application.  The 5 selected works will be framed and physically sent in to collegeboard.

Pre-work: set up your working environment

Get organized. Always pay attention to the calendar issued to you each 9 weeks. Keep it in a safe place to reference, or plug in the due dates into your phone.

Plan designated times for working and preparing.

The hardest part is sticking to a routine. Dedicate time in class and at home- to brainstorming and creating your next piece. The routine will help you stay on track to complete every piece needed by May. Studio book pages are due with each piece in AP and must be traditional media in the studio book.

Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable? You will have class rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First set your goal. This could be brainstorming for x number of hours or completing a piece or two with their corresponding writing sections. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help you stay focused!

AP 2D

AP2D explores the use of specific design principles across a variety of media. These media can include but are not limited to painting, drawing, fabrics, printmaking, collage, and photography. The difference between 2D and 3D is depth. 2D means height and width, where 3D includes depth as the third dimension. You can not include 3D works in your 2D portfolio. 

AP Drawing

AP Drawing also explores the use of specific design principles across a variety of media. These media can include almost anything you created for AP2D, with the notable exception of photography and some design work. THINK LINE QUALITY. The key thing that should be highlighted in AP Draw is mark-making (how does the student physically and purposefully manipulate the image with their hands or a tool). Does that mean you have to create an analog (traditional) drawing? Nope! It means if you want to work with collage - the way you cut the materials is the mark. If you want to do use a pad or computer to create, think about the assortment of brushes that are available to create your mark, as well as the pressure sensitivity of them. If you really want to use some photos, you can try things like drawing or painting into them or creating the surface prior to printing a photographic image. 

Exam

A portfolio is a sample of your art. All artists have a portfolio showing their work. It's what you use to show off your style, your skill level, your previous work, any particular media you use, and any themes you tend to work in. It's your work sample. It's what you use to allow people to see your work. For Artists, it's a visual resume of what they are capable of doing. For AP Art and Design, you submit your portfolio for grading. It is, in effect, your "test".