AP 3-D Art and Design

You’ll submit a portfolio of artwork for evaluation through the AP Digital Portfolio at the end of the school year. 
 

• All portfolio types (2-D, 3-D, and Drawing) are submitted digitally only. 
• Students are prohibited from using any and all artificial intelligence tools in any AP assessment work. Read more about our policy. 
   

The three Art and Design Portfolio Exams (2-D, 3-D, Drawing) consist of two sections: Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) and Selected Works (40% of total score). The Sustained Investigation section has two components: Images and Written Evidence. The Selected Works section has one component: Works. Portfolio components are scored separately, and each contributes to the final portfolio score, which is on a 5-point scale.

In the AP Digital Portfolio, you’ll need to submit these three portfolio components as final (Sustained Investigation Images, Sustained Investigation Written Evidence, and Selected Works) by the AP Program deadline in May.  

Note: You may submit more than one Art and Design Portfolio Exam in a given year, but each must be a different type of portfolio. You may not duplicate works or images among the portfolios and portfolios may not be combined. For example, if you want to submit a portfolio for both Drawing and 2-D Art and Design, you will need to submit two separate portfolios with two completely different sets of artwork, two different inquiry statements, and your AP coordinator must order two exams for you.  

For the AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio Exam: 
 

• Your work should focus on the application of three-dimensional (3-D) elements and principles: point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, volume, mass, occupied/unoccupied space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. 
• Think about how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that involves space and form, whether physical or virtual. 
• There’s no preferred or unacceptable content or style. 
• Here are some formats you can submit: figurative or nonfigurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, glasswork, installation, performance, assemblage, and 3-D fabric/fiber arts. 
• Don’t submit video clips—they’re not allowed. You may submit still images from videos or film and composite images.