Midterm Exam
AP Studio Art / Portfolio
Date of Exam: ___________
1. Types of AP Studio Art Portfolios
 Drawing vs. 2D Design
o Two-dimensional design is like an umbrella— everything that happens on a twodimensional surface, regardless of media, is designed. This means that a work
of art that is created with drawing materials will have aspects of two-dimensional
design that contribute to its success.
 Sections of Portfolio
o Quality- 5 pieces; can come from Breadth and/or Concentration (best pieces);
maximum size 18”x24” sent in red portfolio to College Board; these pieces DO
NOT have to have a range of media, technique, or style, or variety of
subject matter. They are simply the best-of-the-best from your portfolio
o Breadth- 12 pieces; variety of media and/or techniques, and subject matter
o Concentration- 10-12 pieces; artwork with a central theme (can have several
“detail” shots of artworks for remaining 12 images); can be similar in media,
technique, subject matter, etc.
2. Portfolio Reading and Scoring
 Grading Scale
o 6 = Excellent (will be adjusted to a 5 when student receives the score)
o 5 = Strong
o 4 = Good
o 3 = Moderate
o 2 = Weak
o 1 = Poor
 Number of readers: 7 total for whole portfolio; different readers for each section
o Quality: 3
o Breadth: 2
o Concentration: 2
 College Board portfolio scoring guidelines for Drawing vs. 2D Portfolio
o Drawing Issues: Line Quality, Light and Shade, Rendering of Form,
Composition, Surface Manipulation, The Illusion of Depth, Mark Making
o 2D Design Issues: Unity, Variety, Balance, Emphasis, Contrast, Rhythm,
Repetition, Proportion, Scale, Figure/Ground Relationships
 Be familiar with the wording and terminology in readers’ explanations of scores
on the College Board site student portfolio examples
o Drawing:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2
182.html
o 2D Design:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2
134.html
 The ‘5 C’s’ of Analysis
o Concept, Composition, Creativity, Capability, Craftsmanship
3. Ethics of Image Use
 U.S. Legal terminology about copywriting images
o Appropriation, plagiarism, satire, parody, 80% transformation rule,
definition of copyright, fair use
 AP Guidelines for image use
o Legal image use: appropriation (use of others’ images with new personal
meaning), 80% transformation of an image/composition, parody
o Avoid the following: copyright violations, satire, cliché, direct copies of
logos & trademarks without parody, plagiarism
 Be familiar with the range of scenarios in which images can or cannot be used
4. Synectic Design Mechanisms
 Definition of Synectics: bringing different things into unified connection
 Synectics and creativity – go hand-in-hand
 Creative problem-solving steps
o Identify, analyze, ideate, select, implement, evaluate
 Trigger Mechanisms (do not have to memorize all 23, but know how to use them
and what purpose they serve in creative thinking)
o Subtract, add, transfer, empathize, animate, superimpose, change scale,
substitute, fragmentate, isolate, distort, disguise, contradict, parody,
prevaricate, analogize, hybridize, metamorphose, symbolize, mythologize,
fantasize, repeat, combine
5. Appropriate Media Choices
 Be familiar with how media choices should mirror the concept or intent of the piece
o Playful, whimsical vibe: consider chalk pastels or watercolors instead of charcoal
or graphite.
o Capturing pain or intensity: consider charcoal, colored pencils, or oils instead of
watercolors.
o Realism: consider fine-detail media such as colored pencils, graphite, charcoal
pencils, or oils (if you are a strong painter)
o Expressionism / energy: consider oils/acrylics, watercolors, pastels, or charcoal
 Be familiar with how media choices can enhance the subject matter, especially when
your subject matter is alive
o The capture young innocence: consider using color
o To capture vibrancy: consider being expressive
 Digital media:
o In a Drawing portfolio: Must be used illustratively, or as mixed media in a piece
where other marks are made
o In a 2D Design portfolio: Can be used in any capacity