Glossary
2D (Portfolio Type)
One of the AP Art & Design portfolio types, focusing on 'flat' artworks that primarily have height and width. Examples include paintings, drawings, collages, and prints.
Example:
A student submitting a 2D portfolio might include a large-scale charcoal drawing and a vibrant acrylic painting.
3D (Portfolio Type)
One of the AP Art & Design portfolio types, focusing on artworks that have depth and interact with three-dimensional space. This includes sculptures, installations, and ceramic works.
Example:
For a 3D portfolio, an artist might submit a series of intricate clay figures or a large installation made from recycled materials.
AP Art Portfolio
A comprehensive collection of a student's best artwork, serving as the primary assessment for the AP Art & Design exam. It showcases artistic skills, style, and creative development throughout the year.
Example:
For the AP Art & Design exam, your AP Art Portfolio is essentially your final exam, demonstrating your artistic journey and capabilities.
Color Theory
A body of practical guidance to color mixing and the visual effects of specific color combinations. It involves understanding hue, saturation, and value.
Example:
By using complementary colors like blue and orange, the painter applied color theory to create a vibrant contrast that made the central figure pop.
Composition
The arrangement of visual elements within an artwork to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing whole. It guides the viewer's eye and impacts the overall message.
Example:
The photographer carefully considered the rule of thirds in her landscape, creating a balanced and dynamic composition that drew the eye to the distant mountains.
Conceptual Understanding
The ability to grasp and effectively communicate the underlying ideas, themes, and meanings within an artwork. It goes beyond mere execution to convey deeper thought.
Example:
The artist's series on climate change demonstrated strong conceptual understanding by using melting ice sculptures to symbolize environmental degradation.
Digital Submission
The online process of uploading and organizing artwork images and accompanying information for the AP Art & Design portfolio. Proper formatting and timely submission are critical.
Example:
Before the deadline, students must ensure all their artwork images are correctly sized and uploaded through the digital submission website.
Documentation
The process of recording and presenting the ideas, processes, revisions, and materials used in creating artwork. It is crucial for demonstrating artistic intent and development.
Example:
When creating a sculpture, taking photos at different stages and writing notes about material choices is vital documentation for the portfolio.
Experimentation
The process of trying out different materials, techniques, and approaches to explore artistic ideas and develop solutions within the Sustained Investigation.
Example:
During her SI, Maya's experimentation involved using both traditional watercolors and coffee stains to achieve unique textural effects in her landscape series.
Growth
The demonstrated development and evolution of artistic ideas, skills, and understanding throughout the Sustained Investigation, showing progress from initial concepts to more refined outcomes.
Example:
The clear growth in Alex's portfolio was evident as his early sketches of cityscapes evolved into complex, multi-layered mixed-media pieces.
Line of Inquiry
The central question or artistic problem that guides a student's Sustained Investigation, demonstrating a focused and evolving exploration of ideas.
Example:
A student's line of inquiry might be, 'How can the human form be abstracted to convey emotion?' leading to a series of experimental figure drawings.
Perspective
A technique used to create the illusion of depth and distance on a two-dimensional surface, making objects appear closer or farther away.
Example:
The architectural drawing used one-point perspective to make the long hallway appear to recede realistically into the distance.
Selected Works (SW)
A collection of 5 of a student's strongest finished artworks, chosen to showcase their highest level of technical skill and artistic vision. These pieces can be from the SI or independent works.
Example:
After months of work, Sarah chose her five most impactful paintings, including a vibrant portrait and a detailed landscape, for her Selected Works section.
Sustained Investigation (SI)
A series of 15 pieces that demonstrate an in-depth exploration of a specific artistic inquiry or topic. It emphasizes the artistic process, experimentation, and growth over time.
Example:
A student's Sustained Investigation might explore the theme of 'urban decay' through a progression of mixed-media pieces, showing how their ideas and techniques evolved.
Technical Skills
The proficiency in using art materials and techniques effectively to create desired visual effects and communicate artistic intentions.
Example:
Her portrait's realistic rendering of skin tones and precise brushwork showcased impressive technical skills in oil painting.