Selected Works

For the Selected Works section of the AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio Exam, students must submit five works that demonstrate:

• 2-D skills

• Synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas

For each work, students must state the following in writing: 

• Idea(s) visually evident (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 

• Materials used (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 

• Processes used (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 

Physical works or high-quality printed reproductions of works are submitted for the Selected Works section of the AP 2-D Art and Design and AP Drawing Portfolio Exams. Students receive materials, including a shipping envelope and labels, for submission of this section.  Work submitted for this section that is smaller than 8 × 10 inches should be mounted on backing material such as cardboard that is 8 × 10 inches or larger. For protection, work on paper should be backed or mounted. Mats are not required.  Students should not cover or wrap work in reflective material such as acetate or shrink-wrap. A sturdy, opaque overleaf that is hinged to one edge of the backing so that it may be easily lifted is recommended to protect the work. Materials that may be smudged should be sealed with fixative. Students should not send books or journals, canvas on stretchers, work on glass, fragile work, work that is rolled or folded, work that is wet or that contains materials that may cause it to stick to other work, or unmounted work that will likely be crumpled or damaged in shipping.

ACCESS TO PHYSICAL PORTFOLIO MATERIALS

Although the Selected Works section portfolio materials are shipped with testing materials for other AP subjects, the portfolio materials are not secure testing materials. They do not have to be held in a secure place until the students assemble their portfolios. The AP Coordinator’s Manual states explicitly that the portfolio materials may be given to the AP Art and Design teacher early so that they can help students with the preparation that is required for submission.

While AP teachers of other subjects may not be in the room while their students take the AP Exam, AP Art and Design teachers are encouraged to help their students assemble the portfolios. This is clearly stated in the exam instructions sent to AP Coordinators for AP Art and Design.

Written Evidence: the written components that accompany the student’s works of art and design

Visual Evidence: the visual components that make up the student’s works of art and design

Skills: abilities

Rudimentary: emerging or undeveloped

Moderate: adequate

Good: proficient

Advanced: highly developed

2D skills: use of two dimensional elements and principles - point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value,

opacity, transparency, time; unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition,

figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, hierarchy

3D skills: use of three dimensional elements and principles - point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value,

opacity, transparency, time; unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition,

figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, hierarchy

Drawing skills: use of mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, composition

Materials: physical substances used to make works of art and design

Processes: physical AND conceptual activities involved with making works of art and design

Ideas: concepts used to make works of art and design (that can be evident visually or in writing)

Relationships: connections

Unclear: not easily observable, discernable, or legible

Inconsistent: not demonstrated in the same way or to the same degree across works of art and design

Identify: Indicate or provide information

Synthesis: coalescence/integration of materials, processes, AND ideas