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AP 2-D Art and Design Study Guide

Overview of AP 2-D Art and Design Exam

The AP 2-D Art and Design exam is divided into two main parts:

  1. Portfolio Submission (60% of the Exam Score):
    You will submit a portfolio consisting of three sections:
    • Section 1: Sustained Investigation (20 works) – This section explores a theme or concept through 20 works. You will show how your work evolves and develops, demonstrating your ability to experiment and refine ideas.
    • Section 2: Selected Works (5 works) – A set of 5 finished pieces showcasing your best, most refined artwork. These pieces should demonstrate mastery of your chosen medium and strong technical skills.
    • Section 3: Quality (1 work) – A single, polished piece that stands as your best example of your artistic ability.
  2. Written Response (40% of the Exam Score):
    The written portion involves responding to prompts that ask you to explain your artistic choices, processes, and the overall concept behind your portfolio. You must demonstrate an understanding of your creative journey and how each piece contributes to your overall investigation.

Key Concepts and Skills for AP 2-D Art and Design

  1. Elements of Art
    • Line: Use of line to define shapes, create texture, and convey movement. Mastering different types of lines, from straight and curved to implied and expressive.
    • Shape and Form: Understanding both 2-D shapes and 3-D forms. Being able to create compositions that have depth and volume, even in a flat space.
    • Color: Using color effectively to create mood, contrast, and harmony. Understanding color theory, including the color wheel, complementary colors, and analogous color schemes.
    • Texture: Achieving texture through both visual means (like brushstrokes, mark-making) and actual texture in mixed media works. The ability to use texture to evoke emotion or emphasize an idea.
    • Space: Managing positive and negative space, as well as understanding perspective and balance in your compositions.
    • Value: Using light and dark contrasts to create depth, volume, and dimension within your 2-D works.
    • Composition: Organizing elements in your artwork to create balance, unity, emphasis, and rhythm. A well-composed work guides the viewer’s eye through the image.
  2. Principles of Design
    • Balance: Creating visual stability through symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement of elements.
    • Contrast: Using differences in elements (light/dark, rough/smooth, large/small) to create visual interest and draw attention.
    • Emphasis: Creating focal points in your work through color, size, or placement of elements.
    • Movement: The visual flow of the artwork. Leading the viewer’s eye across the composition.
    • Unity and Harmony: Ensuring all parts of your artwork work together to create a cohesive piece that feels complete.
  3. Techniques and Media
    • Drawing: Mastering pencil, charcoal, ink, or any other drawing medium to create expressive and technically accurate pieces.
    • Photography: Understanding composition, lighting, and digital editing techniques for creating compelling photographic works.
    • Digital Art: Mastering tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate to create high-quality digital art, including graphics, illustrations, and photo manipulations.
    • Printmaking: Developing skills in techniques like linocut, etching, or screen printing, and knowing how to create multiple original prints.
    • Mixed Media: Combining different materials and techniques to create artwork that is dynamic and visually rich.

Portfolio Development Tips

  1. Sustained Investigation (Section 1):
    • Choose a concept or theme that is broad enough to explore over multiple pieces but focused enough to give depth to your investigation. Examples might include identity, nature, memory, or technology.
    • Experiment with different media and approaches to investigate your theme from various angles. Document each experiment and refinement.
    • Include your process in your submission: sketches, notes, and reflections on how the work evolved. This will demonstrate the development of your ideas.
  2. Selected Works (Section 2):
    • Focus on 5 pieces that you feel best represent your artistic vision and technical skills.
    • These should be works that have gone through multiple stages of refinement. These pieces should stand out in terms of both their execution and their conceptual depth.
  3. Quality (Section 3):
    • Your "Quality" piece should be one that you believe showcases your highest level of craftsmanship and conceptual achievement.
    • Consider selecting a piece that has strong visual impact, technical skill, and thoughtful composition.

Written Response Tips

  • Clarify Your Artistic Process:
    Be clear and specific in your written responses. Describe the medium(s) you used, the techniques you employed, and the ideas behind each piece.
  • Explain Conceptual Decisions:
    Discuss the themes or concepts in your portfolio. Explain why you chose these themes and how you developed them through your artwork.
  • Document Your Artistic Journey:
    Reflect on your growth throughout the sustained investigation and how your ideas evolved. Articulate how you applied the lessons learned from early works to more refined pieces.

Exam Preparation Strategies

  1. Plan Your Time Wisely:
    Begin your portfolio early to allow ample time for experimentation and development. Rushed work rarely makes the cut for an AP exam.
  2. Document Everything:
    Keep a detailed record of your ideas, process, and revisions. This will help you explain your work in your written response and will showcase your development over time.
  3. Seek Feedback:
    Regularly ask for feedback from peers, teachers, or other artists. Constructive criticism can help you refine your ideas and improve your technique.
  4. Focus on a Cohesive Concept:
    Your portfolio should have a strong, unified concept that ties the work together. Avoid making disjointed works; instead, show how each piece contributes to the exploration of the central idea.
  5. Study Past Portfolios:
    Look at examples of successful AP 2-D Art and Design portfolios to understand what the College Board looks for in the exam. Pay attention to how the work demonstrates both technical proficiency and conceptual depth.