🎨AP Art & Design Unit 5 – AP Art Portfolios: FAQs

What's an AP Art Portfolio?

• An AP Art Portfolio is a collection of artwork submitted to the College Board for evaluation and potential college credit in AP Art & Design courses (Drawing, 2D Art & Design, 3D Art & Design)
• Consists of two sections: Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) and Selected Works (40% of total score)
• Showcases a student's artistic skills, creativity, and conceptual thinking through a cohesive body of work
• Demonstrates a student's ability to explore and develop a theme or idea over time (Sustained Investigation)
• Highlights a student's technical proficiency and understanding of design principles (Selected Works)
• Serves as a culmination of a student's artistic journey throughout the AP Art & Design course
• Provides an opportunity for students to earn college credit and/or advanced placement in college art programs

Portfolio Types and Requirements

• Three portfolio types: Drawing, 2D Art & Design, and 3D Art & Design
  • Drawing portfolio emphasizes mark-making, line quality, and rendering of form
  • 2D Art & Design portfolio focuses on the application of design principles and creative use of media
  • 3D Art & Design portfolio explores sculptural issues and the use of three-dimensional space
• Each portfolio requires 15 images: 10 for Sustained Investigation and 5 for Selected Works
• Sustained Investigation images must be accompanied by written commentary describing the student's inquiry and discovery process
• Selected Works should demonstrate a range of media, techniques, and subject matter
• All work must be original and completed within the duration of the AP Art & Design course
• Students are encouraged to explore a variety of media and approaches within their chosen portfolio type
• Digital images must adhere to specific size and format requirements for submission

Developing Your Concentration

• A concentration is a sustained investigation of a particular visual idea or theme that is personally meaningful to the student
• Involves in-depth exploration and development of a specific concept or inquiry over time
• Requires careful planning, research, and experimentation to create a cohesive body of work
• Students should choose a concentration that allows for growth, discovery, and the demonstration of their artistic voice
• Brainstorming techniques (mind mapping, journaling) can help students identify potential concentration topics
• Concentrations may evolve and change throughout the creative process as students refine their ideas
• Regular feedback from teachers and peers can help students strengthen their concentration and maintain focus
• Students should document their process, including sketches, references, and reflections, to support their investigation

Selecting and Refining Artwork

• Artwork selected for the portfolio should represent the student's strongest and most cohesive pieces
• Sustained Investigation works should clearly demonstrate the development and exploration of the student's concentration
• Selected Works should showcase a range of media, techniques, and subject matter within the chosen portfolio type
• Students should consider the overall composition, technical execution, and conceptual strength of each piece
• Editing and refining artwork is an essential part of the selection process to ensure a high-quality portfolio
• Seeking feedback from teachers, peers, and artists can help students make informed decisions about which pieces to include
• Students should photograph their artwork in a professional manner, ensuring proper lighting, focus, and background
• Digital editing should be minimal and only used to accurately represent the original artwork

Technical Aspects and Submission Process

• Digital images must adhere to specific size and format requirements (JPEG, 1200 pixels on the longest side)
• Students must submit their portfolio online through the College Board's Digital Submission Web application
• Each image must be accompanied by a title, dimensions, media, and a brief written statement (for Sustained Investigation)
• Students are responsible for accurately entering all portfolio information and ensuring the quality of their digital images
• Technical issues (file corruption, incomplete submissions) can result in a portfolio not being scored
• Students should allow ample time for uploading and reviewing their portfolio before the submission deadline
• It is recommended to save backups of all digital files and written statements in case of technical difficulties
• Students should carefully review their portfolio for completeness and accuracy before final submission

Scoring and Evaluation Criteria

• AP Art Portfolios are evaluated by trained College Board reviewers using a standardized scoring rubric
• Sustained Investigation is scored based on three criteria: Inquiry (1-4 points), Practice, Experimentation, and Revision (1-4 points), and Reflection (1-4 points)
• Selected Works are scored based on two criteria: 2D/3D/Drawing Art and Design Skills (1-6 points) and Synthesis of Materials, Processes, and Ideas (1-6 points)
• Each portfolio is scored by multiple reviewers, and the scores are combined to determine the final score (1-5)
• A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing and may result in college credit or advanced placement, depending on the institution
• Portfolios are evaluated holistically, considering the student's overall artistic development and the cohesiveness of their work
• Reviewers look for evidence of experimentation, risk-taking, and growth in addition to technical skill and conceptual strength
• The written commentary for Sustained Investigation plays a crucial role in providing context and insight into the student's creative process

Tips for Success

• Start early and plan ahead to allow sufficient time for developing your concentration and refining your artwork
• Regularly document your creative process, including sketches, references, and reflections, to support your investigation
• Experiment with a variety of media, techniques, and approaches to push your artistic boundaries and discover new possibilities
• Seek feedback from teachers, peers, and artists to gain fresh perspectives and insights into your work
• Attend to the technical aspects of your portfolio, ensuring high-quality digital images and adherence to submission requirements
• Write clear and concise commentary that effectively communicates your inquiry, discovery, and reflection process for Sustained Investigation
• Edit and refine your artwork carefully, selecting pieces that demonstrate your strongest skills and conceptual thinking
• Create a cohesive portfolio that showcases your unique artistic voice and the depth of your investigation
• Manage your time effectively, setting realistic goals and deadlines for completing your portfolio
• Stay organized and maintain backups of your digital files and written statements to avoid last-minute technical issues

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Procrastinating and leaving portfolio development until the last minute, resulting in rushed or incomplete work
• Choosing a concentration that is too broad, superficial, or lacking in personal relevance and engagement
• Failing to experiment with a range of media, techniques, and approaches, limiting artistic growth and discovery
• Neglecting to document the creative process, making it difficult to demonstrate inquiry, experimentation, and reflection
• Submitting artwork that is technically weak, poorly photographed, or does not adhere to the portfolio requirements
• Writing commentary that is vague, repetitive, or fails to provide insight into the student's artistic journey
• Including artwork that is derivative, copied, or created outside the duration of the AP Art & Design course
• Selecting pieces that do not effectively demonstrate the student's skills, conceptual thinking, or the depth of their investigation
• Disregarding the importance of editing and refining the portfolio, resulting in a lack of cohesion or the inclusion of weaker pieces
• Encountering technical difficulties due to poor organization, lack of backups, or failure to review the portfolio before submission