Creating an Superior Placement (AP) artwork portfolio generally is a difficult activity for highschool college students. However it’s additionally an thrilling alternative to point out off their skills. It requires creativity, planning, and an intensive understanding of the necessities set by the Faculty Board. AP artwork college students are usually keen about artwork and design, however they’re additionally typically overwhelmed by the portfolio’s complexity. Learn on to be taught extra concerning the Faculty Board’s present portfolio necessities and scoring standards, in addition to to get ideas for creating portfolios, examples of high-scoring AP artwork portfolios, and insights from the scholars who created them.
AP Artwork and Design Portfolio Necessities
The present model of the Superior Placement (AP) Artwork and Design Portfolio consists of two sections: Sustained Investigation (60% of complete rating) and Chosen Works (40% of complete rating). Whereas the earlier model required 24 artworks, the present one requires simply 15. Till lately, there was a breadth part that demonstrated pupil vary and offered a chance for working with totally different mediums. The intent with Sustained Investigation is to show follow, experimentation, and revision by plenty of photos that search to reply an inquiry chosen by the artist. Whereas college students can submit solely completed artworks, they’ll additionally embody revision and course of photos as seen with many AP artwork portfolio examples. The Chosen Works portion consists of 5 high-quality artworks.
There’s additionally a writing requirement, which incorporates an artist assertion of 1,200 phrases cut up into two 600-word sections. Moreover, artists have 100 characters to clarify the method behind every work and 100 characters to clarify the supplies used.
Whereas there have been modifications to the AP artwork portfolio necessities lately, older, profitable portfolios nonetheless present precious insights.
AP Artwork and Design Portfolio Scoring
The portfolio, which might be 2D, 3D, or drawing, is submitted digitally and scored from 5 (extraordinarily effectively certified) to 1 (no advice). A rating of 4 is taken into account effectively certified, a rating of three is certified, and a rating of two is probably certified. Earlier variations of the AP portfolio scoring had totally different ranges and went as much as a excessive rating of 6. A portfolio supplies college students the chance to earn school credit score whereas displaying off their expertise. The gathering of completed artworks and pictures ought to show college students’ grasp of design and artwork ideas whereas additionally displaying the complete vary of their talents. A pupil’s portfolio ought to undoubtedly present relationships between supplies, processes, and concepts. It would additionally embody written proof of these items. Try our ideas and AP artwork portfolio examples earlier than getting began.
High Ideas for Creating an AP Artwork Portfolio
- Don’t be afraid to revisit artworks.
- Pay cautious consideration to composition.
- Don’t be afraid to desert an paintings if it isn’t working.
- Confer with apstudents.collegeboard.org/art-designprogram for probably the most up-to-date data.
- Present your improvement as an artist.
- Develop your sustained investigation and theme.
- Take some dangers.
Examples From Profitable Portfolios
1. A Good 6
An ideal rating on the AP Artwork Portfolio may be very uncommon however not utterly unattainable. Though tough, pupil Ratthamnoon Prakitpong earned each attainable level within the totally different sections of his drawing portfolio. Prakitpong provides a great deal of good recommendation whereas offering examples, together with before-and-after examples of various paintings. He additionally recommends drawing inspiration from sudden locations.
Study extra: AP Studio Artwork Drawing Portfolio: Ideas from a Pupil Who Gained 100%
2. A 3D Compilation
This video compilation exhibits all kinds of completed 3D artworks but in addition contains pictures displaying Cyan D’Anjou’s course of. D’Anjou mentioned that a lot of the focus part of her portfolio was developed throughout her closing 12 months of highschool. In at the moment’s portfolio, this could be akin to the Sustained Investigation portion.
3. A Robust Theme
As soon as pupil Alina Rhoadarmer selected childhood reminiscences because the theme for her AP artwork portfolio, she was in a position to set out creating all kinds of artworks that match that matter. Rhoadarmer defined, “I was constantly developing and redeveloping my question and reinterpreting my topic to create new art pieces.”
Study extra: 2020-2021 AP Artwork Portfolio Showcase
4. Digital Portray Focus
That is an instance of a 2D AP artwork portfolio with extra of a business focus because it facilities round character creation and improvement. Though there are all kinds of platforms for digital portray, this specific artist used Ibis paint, extremely, on her iPhone. The artist created many various kinds of characters and environments, together with variations on Thomas Edison. The portfolio expresses the story and idea of the characters whereas additionally demonstrating the artist’s vary and talent.
5. Three Portfolios, One Artist
Whereas a video compilation of an AP artwork portfolio is useful, a video together with three is even higher! First, we see artworks from a 2D portfolio submitted in 2015 throughout their junior 12 months. Subsequent, we see a portfolio for drawing from the artist’s senior 12 months. Lastly, we see their 2D portfolio from their senior 12 months. Though tough to do, all three of those portfolios scored a 5 (robust).
6. Artworks With Explanations
Artist/pupil Conan Grey does a pleasant job displaying his paintings whereas offering his rationale for every picture. Since a still-life can fall flat, Grey recommends incorporating that means and shares an instance of his personal still-life that succeeds at that.
7. 2D Images Instance
These photos are from an ideal rating AP 2D Artwork and Design portfolio. This artist explores the animal world by images. As with every good AP artwork portfolio examples, there’s a clear mastery of the chosen medium in addition to consistency in theme all through the works.
Study extra: AP Artwork Portfolio (rating 5)
8. A Good Rating on a Drawing Portfolio
The artist on this video supplies useful ideas and examples for acquiring an ideal rating on the drawing portfolio whereas additionally being hilarious. This artist used 11 accomplished works in her Sustained Investigation portion and 4 extra revision and course of photos to spherical out the required 15 photos. She supplies useful ideas like utilizing your finest works towards the start and finish and placing your least favourite works within the center.
Examples of Sustained Investigation
9. Theme: Femininity and Masculinity By the twentieth Century
This Sustained Investigation is especially efficient because it not solely explores gender however the expression of gender all through totally different moments within the twentieth century.
Study extra: AP Artwork Studio
10. Theme: Unfavourable and Optimistic Results of Social Media on Self-Esteem
This artist explored the adverse and constructive penalties of social media on shallowness. They used colour to precise constructive results whereas a scarcity of colour clearly signifies the adverse penalties.
Study extra: AP Artwork Studio
11. Theme: Feeling Comfy vs. Uncomfortable
Taking a look at artworks on a given theme is useful, however having the artist clarify their processes and concepts is even higher. Artist Karina Singh does a beautiful job of explaining her use of composition and supplies to discover her matter of being snug versus being uncomfortable. Her work exhibits an intensive exploration of a theme with concepts starting from feminine sexuality, COVID, and household to environmental waste.
12. Theme: Nonverbal Communication
Artist/pupil Sophie Miller selected nonverbal communication for her Sustained Investigation so she might draw “with elevated contrast.” In accordance with the artist, at the very least half of her drawing time was carried out throughout a free interval or at dwelling. Her theme is made undeniably clear by her drawings of individuals with intense facial expressions and hand gestures.
Study extra: AP Artwork College students Full Their Portfolios
13. Theme: Phobias
This artist selected a subject that actually allowed for infinite potentialities of subject material. He confirmed his vary by creating photos that represented totally different phobias whereas using totally different supplies and mediums.
Study extra: AP Studio Artwork Focus Portfolio (Phobias)
Different Concepts for Sustained Investigation
- Abandonment of individuals and locations
- Evolution of sickness
- Human affect on the atmosphere
- Results of social media
- Reflections on numerous surfaces
- Melancholy
- Shut-ups (meals, physique elements, and so forth.)
- Impact of company promoting on human psyche
- Portray mates in numerous historic eras
- Voyeurism
- Modernization of well-known fairy tales
- Woodcuts primarily based on Japanese printmaking
- Discovered-object sculptures
- Exploration of clothes throughout cultures
- Street journeys
Examples of Low-Scoring Portfolios
Seeing examples of high-scoring and well-flushed-out portfolios is useful, but it surely will also be helpful to see examples of what to not do. The AP Faculty Board posts examples of low-scoring portfolios whereas together with the rationale behind the scores. See under for some examples of portfolios that solely scored a 1.
- 2D Portfolio Instance 1/AP Central/Faculty Board
- 2D Design Portfolio Instance 2/AP Central/Faculty Board
- AP Central/Faculty Board/Sustained Investigation
You may as well discover examples of full portfolios that scored excessive on the 2022 portfolio examination in addition to extra scoring commentaries on the AP Central Faculty Board web site.