Welcome to AP 2D Design 2008-2009 Ms. Schreffler

AP Art Life As You Know It, Is About To Get A Lot More Colorful.

What is AP Studio Art? The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students must submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year.

Course Expectations Working on a contract basis, students engage in the advanced study and application of computer graphics while developing the attitude and self-discipline of a working artist. Initiative and commitment to developing a personal style are requisite. Exploration of emerging technologies and personal career opportunities is included. An exit portfolio should evidence quality, concentration, and breadth of work.

Student Goals & Objectives Students will continue their study of the computer as an art medium by mastering the traditional tools used to create art. Mastery of skills gained in Computer Graphics 2 and the development of a personal style is expected. Students will show a proficiency in commercial applications of these. Students will show the use of creative problem solving to create works of personal expression.

Class Structure & Procedures This is a studio art course. Classes will be directed in response to the developmental needs of the students as artists. This will include lectures, class discussions, and studio work. Students are expected to complete in-class and out-of-class assignments. This class is run like a working art studio. Safe studio management skills are essential to the success of the student. Classes will incorporate group projects, research projects, class discussion, presentations and studio sessions.

Your Portfolio Your portfolio will have a basic, three section structure, which will require you to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns. The portfolio will ask you to demonstrate a serious a depth of investigation and process of discovery through a concentration section, a breadth section, and a quality section.

2D Design Portfolio Section Requirements Section 1: Quality – Five actual works; maximum size is 18” x 24” Section 2: Concentration – 12 slides; some may be details Section 3: Breadth – 12 works; one slide of each is submitted

Section 1: Quality – 5 actual works that demonstrate your mastery of design For this section, choose the 5 works that you feel best represent your accomplishments and that fit within the size limit (no larger than 18” x 24”) These 5 works may come from your Concentration and/or your Breadth section, but they don’t have to. They may be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works.

Section 2: Concentration – Works describing an in-depth exploration of a particular design concern (12 slides) ~ For your concentration, you are asked to devote considerable time, effort, and thought to an investigation of a specific visual idea. ~ It is IMPORTANT to define your concentration early in the year so that the work you submit will have the focus and direction required for a concentration. ~ You may include details.

Concentration Examples The list of possible concentration topics is infinite A personal or family history communicated through symbols or imagery Development of a series of identity products (logo, letterhead, signage) for an imaginary business An exploration of patterns and designs found in nature and/or culture A series of political cartoons using current events and images Design and execution of a children’s book

You must also include… A written commentary describing what your concentration is and how it evolved must accompany the work in this section. The commentary must also address: What is the central idea of your concentration? How does the work in your concentration demonstrate the exploration of your idea? You may refer to specific slides as examples.

Section 3: Breadth – A variety of works demonstrating your understanding of the principles of design (12 slides) In this section the artworks you submit should demonstrate your understanding of the principles of design. Include examples of unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and figure/ground relationship. Detail slides may not be included.

Keep in mind… All three sections are required and carry equal weight. The order in which the 3 sections are presented is in no way meant to suggest a curricular sequence. Your portfolio may include work that you have done over a single year or longer, in class or on your own.

Plagiarism - Important! If you submit work that makes use of photographs, published images, and/or other artist’ works, you must show substantial and significant development beyond duplication. This may be demonstrated through manipulation of the formal qualities, design, and/or concept of the original work. It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and often violates copyright law to simply copy an image that was made by someone else.

Portfolio Scoring Your portfolio will be evaluated by a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 artist-educators. The scoring guidelines for the AP portfolios contain score points from 6 (excellent) through 5 (strong), 4 (good), 3 (moderate), 2 (weak) and 1 (poor).

Scoring Process- AP Grades 5 Extremely qualidied,4 Well Qualified, 3 Qualified, 2 Possibly qualified, 1 No recognition Each of the three sections is reviewed independently based on criteria for that section and each carries an equal weight All slides viewed on a light t box by two different readers Commentary on the concentration is read but does not lower score All originals are scored by three different readers-slides by two different readers The score awarded by the College Board has no relationship to the grade given by the classroom teacher

Portfolio DO’S Complete all 3 sections Remember that works from the Quality section may be submitted in slide form in either the Concentration or Breadth section, BUT you may NOT submit slides of the same work for both Quality and Concentration Mat or mount any works on paper that you submit for Quality. Use neutral colored mat board. Submit works in the standard AP portfolio that will be sent to your school no later than the end of April. Label all slides, including the dimensions and the media of the original works.

Portfolio DO NOT’S Send works rolled, folded or framed Send unmounted work that can be crumpled or damaged in shipping Exceed the maximum number of works or slides required for each section of the portfolio; extra works will not be evaluated Submit collaborative work or group projects Send actual works for sections that require slides, or send works that are larger than 18” x 24”; they will not be evaluated.

Works that should be presented.. The works… Have grown out of a coherent plan of action or investigation. Are unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence. Are based on your individual interest in a particular visual idea. Are focused on a process of investigation, growth, and discovery. Show the development of a visual language appropriate for your subject.

Works that should not be presented.. A variety of works produced as solutions to class projects. A collection of works with differing intents. A group project or collaboration. A collection of works derived solely from other people’s published photographs. A body of work that simply investigates a medium, without a strong underlying visual idea. A project that merely takes a long time to complete.

2-D Design Originals College Board Examples Work is consistently of high quality; and shows obvious evidence of thinking Demonstrates a sense of confidence and verve Work is imaginative, inventive, and confident Materials are used well; Composition is purposeful There is a strong evidence of informed decision-making College board examples

Sample 2D Portfolios Look at the scoring sheets I have provided and decide how you would score each one Give each portfolio a score from 1-6 on: Quality Concentration Breadth Also be able to explain WHY you gave this score.

Today’s Assignment: Exploring a concentration You will be shown 4 examples of a concentration in a portfolio. Look at each one carefully and read the commentary. What is the artist’s concentration? Choose one portfolio and fill out Think Sheet 1. This will ask you to recognize the similarities between the works. As you are doing this activity, think about possible concentrations that might interest you.

Your Homework Due next class! Fill out “Think Sheet 2” – this will help you decide your concentration. Bring your sheet next class along with three possible ideas and artworks you could use for your concentration or as inspiration for your concentration. Finally, go to http://www.collegeboard.com/ and make an account.