AP Art and Design Units

Key Takeaways

• AP Art & Design has two main parts: Sustained Investigation (60%) and Selected Works (40%).

• You’ll submit 15 images for Sustained Investigation and 5 pieces for your Selected Works.

• You’ll also write short explanations about your art process and creative choices.

• The goal is to develop your own artistic style and voice

• Success comes from practice, trying new things, and thinking about your growth.

Introduction: What Is AP Art and Design?

AP Art and Design (opens in a new tab) isn't your typical exam-based course. Instead, it's all about building a portfolio that shows your artistic journey and creative skills.

The course comes in three different parts: 2D Art and Design, 3D Art and Design, and Drawing. Each part has a different focus, but they all have the same structure.

Your portfolio has two main parts that work together to tell your artistic story. The Sustained Investigation shows how you explore and develop ideas over time. The Selected Works part lets you share your best pieces. You'll choose works that show technical skills and creativity.

The best thing about AP Art and Design is that it's not about creating perfect artwork; rather, it's about developing your own artistic voice. Plus, you'll learn to think like a professional artist.

Overview of the AP Art and Design Portfolio

Sustained Investigation (60% of Score)

Your Sustained Investigation (opens in a new tab) is the heart of your AP Art and Design portfolio. You'll create 15 images that explore one visual question that interests you.

Think of it like conducting an artistic experiment. You start with a question or idea that interests you; then, you'll spend the year exploring it using different approaches, materials, and techniques.

The key word here is “investigation.” You're not just making pretty pictures: you're solving visual problems, testing ideas, and showing how your thinking evolves.

Your 15 pieces don't need to be masterpieces. Some might be experiments, studies, or work-in-progress shots that show your creative process.

Selected Works (40% of Score)

These are your five strongest art pieces. They will show your technical skills and artistic vision. Think of them as your greatest hits!

Each piece should be fully resolved and show excellent craftsmanship. This is where you prove you can take an idea from concept to polished final piece.

The Selected Works (opens in a new tab) don't have to connect to your Sustained Investigation – they can showcase different techniques, styles, or ideas. You want to highlight your range as an artist.

Quality trumps everything here. Five outstanding pieces will score much higher than five mediocre ones.

Written Evidence

Words matter just as much as images in AP Art and Design. You'll write about both sections of your portfolio.

For your Sustained Investigation (opens in a new tab), you'll explain your main question, then you'll describe how your work evolved. Use clear, specific language and proper artistic vocabulary.

For Selected Works, you'll write about your work. You'll explain materials, techniques, and intentions for each piece. Keep it short and simple, but informative.

Strong written evidence shows you can think critically about your own work. It also shows that you can communicate your artistic ideas clearly.

Tips for Success

Keep a Consistent Visual Journal

Document everything. Sketch ideas, take photos of work in progress, and jot down thoughts about what you're creating.

A visual journal becomes your artistic memory bank. It helps you track your development and provides evidence of your creative process.

Don't worry about making it perfect. Messy, honest documentation often tells a better story than overly polished presentations.

Reflect Often, Not Just at the End

Set aside time each month to review your work and ask yourself tough questions. What's working? What isn't? Where do you want to go next?

Regular reflection helps you make stronger artistic choices. It's also helpful for keeping you focused on your main objectives.

It's much easier to adjust course early than to realize you're off-track at the last minute.

Take Risks — Then Revise

The best AP portfolios show real experimentation and creative risk-taking. Try new materials, push your techniques, and explore different directions.

Not every experiment will succeed, and that's okay. Failed experiments can lead to breakthrough moments.

Be willing to revise, rework, or toss pieces that aren't serving your investigation.

Use the Rubric to Self-Evaluate Progress

The AP Art and Design rubric i (opens in a new tab)sn't just for scoring. It's your roadmap to success. Study it carefully and use it to evaluate your own work throughout the year.

Ask yourself: Does my work show evidence of questions and investigation? Are my technical skills developing? Is my artistic voice coming through?

Regular self-evaluation using the rubric helps you identify areas that need attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pieces do I need for AP Art and Design?

You'll submit 20 images in all. You'll need 15 for your Sustained Investigation and 5 for your Selected Works.

The Sustained Investigation images can include work-in-progress shots, detail views, or experimental pieces. They don't all need to be finished artworks.

Your Selected Works should be five complete, polished pieces. They should show off your strongest skills.

Do my Sustained Investigation pieces need to be finished artworks?

Not necessarily. Your 15 images should tell the story of your artistic investigation. This means including process work, experiments, and revisions.

Some images might show techniques you tried but abandoned. Others might capture moments of discovery or breakthrough thinking.

The goal is to show real inquiry and artistic growth over time. It's not just to present 15 museum-ready masterpieces.

Can I work digitally in AP Art and Design?

Yes. Digital art, photography, graphic design, and mixed media are all welcome in AP Art and Design.

Your challenge is to choose the right tools and techniques. You'll need them to support your artistic investigation. 

Make sure to document and photograph your digital work for submission. Screen grabs and printed versions often work fine.

What's the difference between 2D, 3D, and Drawing?

2D Art and Design focuses on flat surfaces. This includes painting, printmaking, collage, digital art, and photography. Drawing emphasizes mark-making. It includes pencil, charcoal, ink, and mixed media approaches on paper.

3D Art and Design involves sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fashion design, and architectural models.

Pick the portfolio type that best matches your interests and strengths. You can't mix and match once you've decided.

How should I photograph and submit my artwork?

Good photography can make or break your portfolio submission. Use even lighting, neutral backgrounds, and high-resolution images.

For 3D work, include different angles to show form and detail. For 2D pieces, avoid shadows and reflections that hide your work.

Submit through the AP Digital Portfolio platform following all technical specifications exactly. Poor image quality can hurt your scores.

Final Thoughts

Remember, AP Art and Design is about exploration, not perfection. The assessors want to see genuine artistic thinking and creative problem-solving.

Your unique voice and personal interests are the most important. They matter more than copying what you think looks "good" for college admissions. Take creative risks and trust your gut instincts.

Use this structure as your year-long roadmap. Start early, reflect often, and don't be afraid to revise your approach as you learn and grow.

The skills you develop in AP Art and Design will help you beyond the classroom. Critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and visual communication skills are valuable life skills. These skills are helpful even if you don't end up pursuing art as a profession.

References

College Board AP Art and Design (opens in a new tab)

College Board Sustained Investigation (opens in a new tab)

College Board Selected Works (opens in a new tab)

College Board Sustained Investigation Written Evidence (opens in a new tab)

College Board Scoring Rubric for AP Art & Design (opens in a new tab)