AP 2-D Design Portfolio Syllabus
AP Studio-room 142
Mrs. Julia Duke
Course description
Students entering AP 2D Design Art class have taken a series of introductory art
classes such as Photography or Visual Communications. This year, we will
master the media of photography and/or visual communications while producing
a college level AP portfolio. During this year long intensive study of AP 2D
Studio Art, students examine their role as an artist, art historian and understand
the influence of popular culture and the environment play in the creation and
execution of their artworks. Students spend extensive time investigating and
mastering the Elements and Principle of Design through direct application on art
works produced for their college level portfolio. This AP 2D Studio Art course
examines the students’ role in continuous artistic improvement through art
production, art criticism, group and individual discussions, and personal
exploration. By the end of the school year students will have strong portfolios of
college level artworks which reflect mastery of 2D art techniques, concept,
composition and execution of ideas.
Artistic Integrity
Our art department is united in that copy art work is not allowed in any course of
art study. In the beginning of the fall semester I emphasize this stance. Students
are told that if their artwork is based upon a published photo or other artists’ work
these artworks or artist must serve as motivation but cannot be duplicated. I
encourage students to express their inner artist voice even if they were inspired
by another artist. I emphasize this through group and individual critiques where
artistic integrity is discussed.
Goals:
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Students’ develop their own visual aesthetic language through design.
Students develop an understanding of their environment/culture and its’
influence on 2D design.
Students develop creative thinking skills/problem solving through
experimentation and mastery of photography, and ideas of traditional and
contemporary 2D design.
Students are encouraged to do independent research and
experimentation of design ideas.
Students master the Elements and Principles of Design and are able to
apply these to every piece of design they produce.
Students enjoy making 2D art & design.
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Objective: To give AP 2D Design Art students a foundation/mastery of skills
and vocabulary for problem solving associated with creating two dimensional
design.
General Objective:
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Students will demonstrate their growth as a 2D artist.
Students will develop self-discipline, personal insight, critical judgment,
and mastery in technical skills all necessary for preparation of their college
level portfolio pieces.
Students will demonstrate a high level of understanding of the strong
relationship to artist research and art history to their production of art.
Students will prepare a college level portfolio of artwork to be presented at
the AP Exam.
Students are expected to develop mastery of their design concepts and
excellence in the execution of the desired process used to develop their
ideas into 2D art.
Studio Work Objective:
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Students are expected to demonstrate understanding of design principles
as applied to a two-dimensional surface
Students are expected to solve technical problems into high quality art
products
Students are expected to produce works of art that exhibit creativity, high
level problem solving through individual exploration.
Students are expected to express ideas in visual, oral, and written forms
of how art-making is an ongoing process.
Students are expected to solve formal and technical problems in studio art
practice.
Research Work Objective:
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Students are expected to visit area art museums on their own time, and
attend the school sponsored art museum fieldtrips.
Students are expected to visit area art fairs, exhibits and galleries to
understand the role art plays in culture/society.
Students are expected to do research using the internet and museum
visits in order to write research papers in order to understand the
significance of art and culture around the globe.
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Course Process:
This course consists of two semesters. Within these semesters is included studio
work, and research work. The first semester artwork and research is focused on
the Section 3 Breadth of the portfolio. The second semester artwork and
research is focused on individual research, experimentation of techniques,
mastery of materials and analysis for Section 2, Concentration. Summer art
works are completed between the students junior and senior year and may be
included in the completed AP portfolio as Quality or Breadth.
Summer Projects (June, July, and August)
Students are to select a minimum of 3 from the list I provide but are encouraged
to branch out and discover their own projects.
1. David Hockney inspired photo collage of a FORBIDDEN SPACE or PLACE.
2. 2D metaphorical self-portrait from photographs of “you’re life” (photo collage)
3. Portrait Series (5 portraits of the same person)
4. Students choice photograph that suggest rhythm
5. Students choice of photograph that implies movement and symmetrical
balance.
6. Student choice photograph that depicts IRONY as your underlying theme
using the TWO of the compositional rules.
***These projects are due during the first week back to school in August.
Fall Semester (August thru December)
Area of study: Breadth Section 3
Students work on set class projects which will be included in Section 3 – Breadth,
and also may be included into Section 1 Quality or Section 2 Concentration,
based on the student’s choice. This semester is focused on the students
understanding, mastering, and applying the Elements and Principles of Design
required in every Design Project or Photograph.
Fall semester plan of study:
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The creative process of an AP 2D Design class; brainstorming,
researching art history and artists, sketching design ideas, revision of
these sketches, choice of materials and techniques, final product, critique,
and portfolio preparation.
The AP 2D Design Portfolio requirements and time line for production.
In depth study and execution of the Elements and Principle of Design and
the emphasis on including them into every art work or Photograph.
Fieldtrips to area Art Museums for research/journaling/observation.
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Artwork production projects will include but not limited to the following.
1. Ordinary object transformed into the extraordinary – coffee mug
2. Reuse recycled pop can insects.
3. Spaghetti sculpture emphasizing line.
4. How can a doorknob be incorporated into a work of art? We will
discover.
5. The World and the Face mixed media.
Art Criticism is encouraged through out the process and done through peer
critiques, individual critiques with the teacher, and through individual reflection on
the design process through written journals.
Spring Semester (January thru April)
Area of study: Concentration Section 2
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Students have a through understanding and mastery of materials/medium
and what inspires them so they are ready to explore in depth their
theme/material for the concentration section of the AP portfolio sculptures.
 Students develop a plan of sculptures and time line to complete these
sculptures.
 Students research artists which inspire them and their art works and
write/journal about their selected focus artists.
 Students though this process document every completed sculpture
through slides/digital media which will be used in their final portfolio.
 Students keep a visual, photo and written journal of their progress
throughout the semester.
 An out of state Art Museum fieldtrip is included and required this semester
to further research and study art history and artists.
Art Criticism is encouraged through out the process it is done through peer
critiques, individual critiques with the teacher and through individual reflection on
the design process through written journals.
Assessment
Portfolio pieces 60%
Daily Studio work 10%
Critiques Evaluations 10%
Final Interview 10%
Journal/Sketchbook 10%
Course resources:
Textbooks:
Beginning Sculpture
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By; Arthur Williams
Davis Publications, Inc.
Worcester, Mass. 2005
Sculpture – Technique – Form – Content
By; Arthur Williams
Davis Publications, Inc.
Worcester, Mass. 1994
Experience Clay
By; Maureen Mackey
Davis Publications, Inc.
Worcester, Mass. 2003
Art in Focus
By; Gene A Mittler
Glencoe McGraw-Hill
New York, New York 2000
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