AP 2-D

WHAT YOU'LL SEE

The AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio highlights creative work made for a flat surface, including photography, digital graphics, posters, collages, and paintings. In this course, students explore how two-dimensional elements and principles—such as line, shape, color, texture, balance, and composition—can be skillfully combined to communicate ideas. They learn to connect materials, processes, and concepts in visually engaging ways that reflect inquiry, experimentation, and growth as artists and designers.

Each portfolio includes 20 digital images, submitted in 2 sections. In Selected Works (5 images), students present finished pieces that demonstrate strong 2-D skills and clear integration of materials, processes, and ideas. Short written notes accompany each work, identifying what it represents and how it was created.

The Sustained Investigation (15 images) focuses on discovery through inquiry-based, student-driven learning. Students develop one central question or area of investigation and explore it deeply over time through practice, experimentation, and revision. This process allows students to make connections between materials, processes, and ideas while uncovering new insights through visual and conceptual problem-solving. The images may include completed works as well as process documentation that shows the evolution of ideas and techniques. Together, these selections reveal how students think critically, take creative risks, and refine their work through continuous inquiry and reflection.

What the Exam Assessors Look For

Assessors evaluate each portfolio using the AP Art and Design scoring guidelines. In the Sustained Investigation, assessors look for clear identification of an inquiry that drives discovery and development through practice, experimentation, and revision using 2-D design skills. They evaluate how effectively the student demonstrates synthesis—connections among materials, processes, and ideas—and how skillfully these visual and written components show inquiry-based learning in action.

In the Selected Works, assessors evaluate evidence of advanced 2-D skills; integration of materials, processes, and ideas; and precise written evidence that identifies what each work represents and how it was made. The highest-scoring portfolios show clear synthesis—where materials, processes, and ideas merge seamlessly to create visually and conceptually compelling works.

Students may work in a wide range of media, including photography, graphic design, digital imaging, printmaking, collage, painting, or fabric and textile design. Still images from video or film and composite digital images are also accepted. Portfolios are submitted digitally through the AP Digital Portfolio platform. All submitted work must be original and created solely by the student; the use of generative artificial intelligence tools is prohibited at every stage of the creative process.

${prev-page}

${next-page}