2D Design
OVERVIEW
This portfolio is intended to address two-dimensional (2-D) design issues . Design involves purposeful decision making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way .
The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationships) can be articulated through the visual elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space) . They help guide artists in making decisions about how to organize an image on a picture plane in order to communicate content . Effective design is possible whether one uses representational or abstract approaches to art .
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2-D design through any two-dimensional medium or process, including, but not limited to, graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting and printmaking . Video clips, DVDs, CDs and three-dimensional works may not be submitted . However, still images from videos or films are accepted .
Links to samples of student work in the 2-D Design portfolio can be found on AP Central® at apcentral.collegeboard.com/studio2D
The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationships) can be articulated through the visual elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space) . They help guide artists in making decisions about how to organize an image on a picture plane in order to communicate content . Effective design is possible whether one uses representational or abstract approaches to art .
For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2-D design through any two-dimensional medium or process, including, but not limited to, graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting and printmaking . Video clips, DVDs, CDs and three-dimensional works may not be submitted . However, still images from videos or films are accepted .
Links to samples of student work in the 2-D Design portfolio can be found on AP Central® at apcentral.collegeboard.com/studio2D
Section I: Breadth
The student’s work in this section should demonstrate understanding of the principles of design, including unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale and figure/ground relationship. Successful works of art require the integration of the elements and principles of design; students must therefore be actively engaged with these concepts while thoughtfully composing their art. The work in this section should show evidence of conceptual, perceptual, and expressive development, as well as technical skill.
For this section, students must submit a total of 12 images of 12 different works. Details may not be included. All images should be labeled with dimensions (height 3 width) and material(s). The Digital Submission Web application incorporates space to include this information. This section requires images of 12 works in which the elements and principles of two-dimensional design are the primary focus; students are asked to demonstrate that they are thoughtfully applying these principles while composing their art. These works as a group should demonstrate the student’s visual organization skills. As a whole, the student’s work in this section should demonstrate exploration, inventiveness, and the expressive manipulation of form, as well as knowledge of compositional organization.
The best demonstrations of breadth clearly show experimentation and a range of conceptual approaches to the work. It is possible to do this in a single medium or in a variety of media. When a student chooses to use a single medium — for example, if a Breadth section consists entirely of collage — the images must show a variety of applications of design principles.
Students may not submit images of the same work that they are submitting for the Concentration section.
For this section, students must submit a total of 12 images of 12 different works. Details may not be included. All images should be labeled with dimensions (height 3 width) and material(s). The Digital Submission Web application incorporates space to include this information. This section requires images of 12 works in which the elements and principles of two-dimensional design are the primary focus; students are asked to demonstrate that they are thoughtfully applying these principles while composing their art. These works as a group should demonstrate the student’s visual organization skills. As a whole, the student’s work in this section should demonstrate exploration, inventiveness, and the expressive manipulation of form, as well as knowledge of compositional organization.
The best demonstrations of breadth clearly show experimentation and a range of conceptual approaches to the work. It is possible to do this in a single medium or in a variety of media. When a student chooses to use a single medium — for example, if a Breadth section consists entirely of collage — the images must show a variety of applications of design principles.
Students may not submit images of the same work that they are submitting for the Concentration section.
Section II: Concentration
A concentration is a body of related works that demonstrate a student’s commitment to the thoughtful investigation of a specific visual idea . It is not a selection of a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects or a collection of works with differing intents . Students should be encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as intensively as possible; they are free to work with any idea in any medium that addresses two-dimensional design issues . The concentration should grow out of the student’s idea and demonstrate growth and discovery through a number of conceptually related works . In this section, the evaluators are interested not only in the work presented but also in visual evidence of the student’s thinking, selected method of working and development of the work over time.
For this section, 12 digital images must be submitted, some of which may be details. All images should be labeled with dimensions (height 3 width) and material. The Digital Submission Web application incorporates space to include this information. Regardless of the content of the concentration, the works should be unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence. The choices of technique, medium, style, form, subject and content are made by the student, in consultation with the teacher.
The Concentration section includes spaces for a written commentary, which must accompany the work in this section, describing what the concentration is and how it evolved. Students are asked to respond to the following:
1 . Clearly and simply state the central idea of your concentration.
2 . Explain how the work in your concentration demonstrates your intent and the exploration of your idea. You may refer to specific images as examples.
Although the responses themselves are not scored as pieces of writing, they provide critical information for evaluating the artwork. Thus, they should be well written. Students should be encouraged to formulate their responses to the first question early in the year, as they define the direction their concentration will take. Responses should be concise; the space available for them in the Web application is generous, but the number of characters that can be typed is limited. Responses should be focused on the information requested.
For this section, 12 digital images must be submitted, some of which may be details. All images should be labeled with dimensions (height 3 width) and material. The Digital Submission Web application incorporates space to include this information. Regardless of the content of the concentration, the works should be unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence. The choices of technique, medium, style, form, subject and content are made by the student, in consultation with the teacher.
The Concentration section includes spaces for a written commentary, which must accompany the work in this section, describing what the concentration is and how it evolved. Students are asked to respond to the following:
1 . Clearly and simply state the central idea of your concentration.
2 . Explain how the work in your concentration demonstrates your intent and the exploration of your idea. You may refer to specific images as examples.
Although the responses themselves are not scored as pieces of writing, they provide critical information for evaluating the artwork. Thus, they should be well written. Students should be encouraged to formulate their responses to the first question early in the year, as they define the direction their concentration will take. Responses should be concise; the space available for them in the Web application is generous, but the number of characters that can be typed is limited. Responses should be focused on the information requested.
Section III: Quality
Quality refers to the mastery of design principles that should be apparent in the concept, composition and execution of the works, whether they are simple or complex . There is no preferred (or unacceptable) style or content.
For this section, students are asked to submit five actual works in one or more media . Students should carefully select the works that demonstrate their mastery of 2-D design issues . The works should be on flat surfaces, such as paper, cardboard, canvas board or unstretched canvas .
Students receive all the portfolio materials for submission of the Quality section in May . Because of limitations imposed by the shipping and handling of the portfolios, work submitted for this section must fit easily into the portfolio envelope, which is approximately 18" 3 24" . Works for Quality that are smaller than 8" 3 10" should be mounted on sheets 8" 3 10" or larger . To protect the work, all work on paper should be backed or mounted . Mats are optional . Do not use reflective materials such as acetate or shrink-wrap because they cause glare that makes the work difficult to see . A sturdy, opaque overleaf that is hinged to one edge of the backing so that it may be easily lifted, provides excellent protection and is highly recommended . Materials that may be smudged should be protected with fixative . If the work is mat- ted, a neutral color for that mat is advisable . Do NOT send books or journals, work on glass, fragile work, work that is rolled or folded, or unmounted work that can be crumpled or damaged in shipping.
The works submitted may come from the Concentration and/or Breadth sections, but they do not have to. They may be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works.
For this section, students are asked to submit five actual works in one or more media . Students should carefully select the works that demonstrate their mastery of 2-D design issues . The works should be on flat surfaces, such as paper, cardboard, canvas board or unstretched canvas .
Students receive all the portfolio materials for submission of the Quality section in May . Because of limitations imposed by the shipping and handling of the portfolios, work submitted for this section must fit easily into the portfolio envelope, which is approximately 18" 3 24" . Works for Quality that are smaller than 8" 3 10" should be mounted on sheets 8" 3 10" or larger . To protect the work, all work on paper should be backed or mounted . Mats are optional . Do not use reflective materials such as acetate or shrink-wrap because they cause glare that makes the work difficult to see . A sturdy, opaque overleaf that is hinged to one edge of the backing so that it may be easily lifted, provides excellent protection and is highly recommended . Materials that may be smudged should be protected with fixative . If the work is mat- ted, a neutral color for that mat is advisable . Do NOT send books or journals, work on glass, fragile work, work that is rolled or folded, or unmounted work that can be crumpled or damaged in shipping.
The works submitted may come from the Concentration and/or Breadth sections, but they do not have to. They may be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works.