Guidelines: 2-D Design Portfolio
The information below comes directly from the
AP STUDIO ART 2004 SCORING GUIDELINES.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html?studio art

SECTION I: Quality
5 Matted Works: Five works that demonstrate your mastery of design as apparent in content, composition and execution of the works.
The works should:

Be of a consistently high quality
Show an imaginative, inventive and confident articulation of the principles of design
Shows a well-informed sense of composition
Shows obvious evidence of thinking
Addresses complex visual and conceptual ideas
Uses materials effectively; technique is excellent
Work shows experimentation and risk-taking
Work shows sensitivity and subtlety
Work shows decision making
Any work using photographic sources, or work of other artists seems merely to have provided a visual reference in the service of a larger, more personal vision.

SECTION II: Concentration

12 Slides: A body of work “unified by an underlying idea that has visual coherence”.
This section is concerned with growth and discovery.


The works should:
Show an unmistakable connection between the idea and the works produced;
Engage the viewer with the work and the idea;
Show effective integration between the concept and design skills
Show strong technical aspects
Shows informed risk-taking and development beyond technical concerns
Have an evocative theme
Demonstrate an original vision
Overall, be of excellent quality

SECTION III: Breadth
12 Slides: A variety of works demonstrating understanding of the principles of design.
“The work demonstrates serious, successful engagement with a broad range of design problems.” The work confidentially articulates the elements of design. The work uses the elements and principles of design in inventive or evocative ways. Most work demonstrates successful experimentation, risk-taking and/or ambition. The work is technically accomplished. The work focuses on sophisticated and complex ides with confidence and verve. Form and content are synthesized to communicate visual ideas. Overall, the work is of excellent quality. The work stresses the following design principles:
Unity/Variety
Balance/Emphasis/Contrast
Rhythm
Repetition
Proportion/Scale

Figure/ground relationship

COLLEGE BOARD:
2D Design Page

AP PORTFOLIO QUESTIONS

AP EXAM QUESTIONS & EXAMPLES