Differences Between AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing

Do you have a passion for creating art? If so, you may be thinking of taking one or more of the three courses that make up the AP Art and Design Program. Learn about the similarities and differences between AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing so you can choose the course that’s right for you.

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers several courses in art and design for high school students. These courses are designed to provide students with a rigorous curriculum that helps them develop their skills and knowledge in the field of art and design. There are three primary AP art and design courses: AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing. While all of these courses focus on the principles of art and design, this article will discuss some key differences between them.

What will you learn in AP 2-D Art and Design?

In AP 2-D Art and Design you’ll develop skills using materials and processes such as graphic design, photography, collage, printmaking, fashion illustration, and others. As the course concludes you’ll submit a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to practice, experiment, and revise your own work while communicating your ideas about art and design.

AP 2-D Art and Design is a course that focuses on the creation of two-dimensional artwork. This includes drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, and graphic design. Students in this course are expected to create a portfolio of work that demonstrates their mastery of the principles of art and design, as well as their ability to use a variety of techniques and media. The portfolio consists of 15 digital images of artwork and is divided into two sections: Quality and Concentration.

The Quality section requires students to submit five works that demonstrate mastery of the formal qualities of art and design, such as composition, color, and line. The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time.

The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time. The student should choose a theme or idea that is meaningful to them and create a series of works that explore that theme or idea from different perspectives. The works in this section should be cohesive and demonstrate the student’s ability to create a body of work that effectively communicates their ideas.

The exam consists of three parts: the Breadth section, the Concentration section, and the Selected Works section. The Breadth section requires students to submit twelve works that demonstrate their ability to create artwork that explores a variety of techniques and media. The Concentration section requires students to submit twelve works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. The Selected Works section allows students to submit five additional works that showcase their best work and highlight their strengths.

Throughout the course, students will be expected to develop their skills in a variety of areas. These include:

1. Composition: Students will learn how to effectively arrange the elements of an image to create a visually compelling composition.
2. Color: Students will learn how to use color effectively to create mood, convey emotion, and communicate ideas.
3. Line: Students will learn how to use line to create structure, texture, and movement in their artwork.
4. Media: Students will work with a variety of media, including pencils, paints, printmaking, and digital media, to create artwork.
5. Conceptual Development: Students will learn how to develop and explore ideas in their artwork and use their artistic skills to effectively communicate those ideas.

Overall, AP 2-D Art and Design is a challenging course that requires students to develop their skills and understanding of the principles of art and design. Through the creation of a portfolio and the completion of the exam, students will have the opportunity to showcase their mastery of these skills and their ability to effectively communicate their ideas through their artwork.

What will you learn in AP 3-D Art and Design?

In AP 3-D Art and Design you’ll learn how to create art in different disciplines such as sculpture, architectural rendering, metal work, ceramics, and others. At the end of the course you’ll submit a portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge of art skills using three-dimensional materials.

AP 3-D Art and Design is a course that focuses on the creation of three-dimensional artwork. This includes sculpture, ceramics, and installation art. Students in this course are expected to create a portfolio of work that demonstrates their mastery of the principles of art and design in three dimensions. The portfolio consists of 15 digital images of artwork and is divided into two sections: Quality and Concentration.

The Quality section requires students to submit five works that demonstrate mastery of the formal qualities of three-dimensional art and design, such as form, space, and texture. The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time.

The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time. The student should choose a theme or idea that is meaningful to them and create a series of works that explore that theme or idea from different perspectives. The works in this section should be cohesive and demonstrate the student’s ability to create a body of work that effectively communicates their ideas.

The exam consists of three parts: the Breadth section, the Concentration section, and the Selected Works section. The Breadth section requires students to submit twelve works that demonstrate their ability to create artwork that explores a variety of materials and techniques. The Concentration section requires students to submit twelve works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. The Selected Works section allows students to submit five additional works that showcase their best work and highlight their strengths.

Throughout the course, students will be expected to develop their skills in a variety of areas. These include:

1. Form: Students will learn how to create three-dimensional forms that effectively communicate an idea or emotion.
2. Texture: Students will learn how to use texture to create visual interest and depth in their sculptures.
3. Space: Students will learn how to use space effectively to create balance, tension, and movement in their sculptures.
4. Materials: Students will work with a variety of materials, including clay, metal, wood, and found objects, to create their sculptures.
5. Conceptual Development: Students will learn how to develop and explore ideas in their artwork and use their artistic skills to effectively communicate those ideas.

Overall, AP 3-D Art and Design is a challenging course that requires students to develop their skills and understanding of the principles of 3-D art and design. Through the creation of a portfolio and the completion of the exam, students will have the opportunity to showcase their mastery of these skills and their ability to effectively communicate their ideas through their sculptures.

What will you learn in AP Drawing? 

In this course you’ll experiment with a variety of materials and processes as you develop your drawing skills. At the end of the course you’ll submit a portfolio that demonstrates the different drawing abilities taught in the course, which include mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition. 

AP Drawing is a course that focuses on the creation of drawings in a variety of media, including graphite, charcoal, ink, and pastel. Students in this course are expected to create a portfolio of work that demonstrates their mastery of the principles of art and design in drawing. The portfolio consists of 15 digital images of artwork and is divided into two sections: Quality and Concentration.

The Quality section requires students to submit five works that demonstrate mastery of the formal qualities of drawing, such as line, value, and texture. The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time.

The Concentration section requires students to create a series of works that demonstrate their exploration of a specific theme or idea. These works should show development and growth in the student’s artistic ability over time. The student should choose a theme or idea that is meaningful to them and create a series of works that explore that theme or idea from different perspectives. The works in this section should be cohesive and demonstrate the student’s ability to create a body of work that effectively communicates their ideas.

The Breadth section requires students to submit twelve works that demonstrate their ability to create artwork that explores a variety of materials and techniques. These works should demonstrate the student’s ability to create a diverse range of drawings that showcase their skills in a variety of areas.

The exam consists of two parts: the Sustained Investigation and the Selected Works. The Sustained Investigation requires students to create a body of work that explores a specific theme or idea over a period of time. The Selected Works section allows students to submit five additional works that showcase their best work and highlight their strengths.

Throughout the course, students will be expected to develop their skills in a variety of areas. These include:

1. Line: Students will learn how to use line to effectively communicate an idea or emotion in their drawings.
2. Value: Students will learn how to use value to create depth and dimension in their drawings.
3. Texture: Students will learn how to use texture to create visual interest in their drawings.
4. Composition: Students will learn how to effectively arrange the elements of their drawings to create a visually compelling image.
5. Materials: Students will work with a variety of materials, including graphite, charcoal, ink, and pastel, to create their drawings.
6. Conceptual Development: Students will learn how to develop and explore ideas in their artwork and use their artistic skills to effectively communicate those ideas.

Overall, AP Drawing is a challenging course that requires students to develop their skills and understanding of the principles of drawing. Through the creation of a portfolio and the completion of the exam, students will have the opportunity to showcase their mastery of these skills and their ability to effectively communicate their ideas through their drawings.

How Are AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing Similar?

All three AP Art and Design courses conclude when you submit a portfolio of your artwork at the end of the school year—and none of the courses end in an “exam” with multiple-choice questions or essays. Your work in your art portfolio makes up the entirety of your AP score for each of these courses. You will work with your teacher or AP coordinator to mail in your portfolio, as well as upload the digital images of your work and commentary online. 

All AP Art and Design portfolios follow a two-section structure where you will demonstrate foundational knowledge and a range of understanding of visual methods. Each section is graded on a 5-point scale and contributes to the final portfolio score. 

You’ll also learn similar skills in all three courses, including:

• Investigating the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use.
• Communicating your ideas about works of art and design.
• Practicing, experimenting, and revising as you create your own work.

How Are AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing Different in terms of it’s Syllabus?

The topics covered in the three courses vary, as do the technical skills and knowledge you’re expected to show in your final portfolio. See the table below for examples of the mediums where you’ll develop and demonstrate these abilities throughout the course and in your portfolio.

Conclusion

While AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing all focus on the principles of art and design, they have distinct differences in the types of artwork they focus on. AP 2-D Art and Design is focused on two-dimensional artwork, while AP 3-D Art and Design is focused on three-dimensional artwork, and AP Drawing is focused specifically on drawing. Additionally, each course requires a portfolio that demonstrates the student’s mastery of the principles of art and design and their ability to explore a specific theme or idea.