Ortega/ACS

AP Art
Concentration Planning and Development
INFORMATION FOR PORTFOLIOS
A concentration is defined as a body of work unified by an underlying idea that has visual
coherence. In scoring concentrations, there are four major areas of concern:
Coherence and/or development. Is the work presented actually a concentration?
Quality of the concept/idea represented- is there evidence of thinking and of focus?
Degree of development and investigation that is evident in the work. Is there
evidence of growth and discovery in the work?
Quality of the work in both concept and process.
INFORMATION FOR 2D DESIGN PORTFOLIO
A concentration is a body of related works that demonstrate a students sustained and
thoughtful investigation of a specific visual idea.
It is not a selection of a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects or a collection
of works with differing intents.
Students should be encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as
intensively as possible; they are free to work with any idea in any medium that
addresses two-dimensional design issues.
The concentration should grow out of the students idea and demonstrate growth and discovery
through a number of conceptually related works.
In this section, the evaluators are interested not only in the work presented but also in visual
evidence of the student thinking, selected method of working and development of the work over
time.
Students are encouraged to include images that document their processes of thinking and
creating.
A concentration should consist of a group of works that share a concept for
example, an in-depth study of a particular visual problem or a variety of ways of
handling an interesting subject. Some concentrations involve sequential works, such
as a series of studies that lead to, and are followed by, more finished works.
If a student uses subject matter as the basis of a concentration, the work should show the
development of a visual language appropriate for that subject.
The investigation of a medium in and of itself, without a strong underlying visual idea, generally
does not constitute a successful concentration.
Students should not submit group projects, collaborations and/or projects that merely require an
extended period of time to complete.
Below are examples of concentrations. They are intended only to provide a sense of range and
should not necessarily be considered better ideas.
a series of works that begins with representational interpretations and evolves
into abstraction
an exploration of patterns and designs found in nature and/or culture
design and execution of pages for a book or graphic novel
development of a series of identity products (logos, letterhead, signage, and so

on) for businesses

a series of political cartoons using current events and images
use of a classic standard such as the golden ratio and variations of it to produce
differing compositions
diagrammatic overlays of mathematical principles on photographs of local
architectural structures
a series of fabric designs, apparel designs or weavings used to express a
particular theme
Because the range of possible concentrations is so wide, the number of works the
student creates should be dictated by the focus of the investigation. The chosen
visual idea should be explored to the greatest possible extent.
In most cases, students will produce more than 12 works and select from among them the
works that best represent the process of investigation.
If a student has works that are not as well resolved as others, but that help show the evolution
of thinking or the process of developing the work, the student should consider including them.
The choice of works to submit should be made to present the concentration as clearly as
possible.

DESCRIPTORS OF EXCELLENT AND WEAK CONCENTRATIONS:

6 EXCELLENT CONCENTRATION
6.A The concentration topic and the work presented are unmistakably and coherently
integrated.
6.B The investigation of the concentration topic provides convincing evidence of informed
decision-making and discovery.
6.C The concentration clearly demonstrates an original vision and innovative ideas and/or risk
taking.
6.D An evocative, engaging theme is sustained through most of the work.
6.E The work shows a thorough understanding and effective application of 2-D design
principles.
6.F The work conveys a sense of successful transformation and growth.
6.G In general, the work is technically excellent; materials and media are used effectively to
express ideas.
6.H Any apparent appropriation of published or photographic sources clearly provides a visual
reference that is transformed in the service of a larger, personal vision in which the students
voice is prominent.
6.J Although the works may show varying levels of accomplishment, overall the work is at an
excellent level.
2 WEAK CONCENTRATION
2.A The work conveys a sense of a concentration, but integration of the topic and the work is
inadequately considered.
2.B Decision-making is lacking; the work appears inadequately thought out and insufficiently
explored.
2.C The concentration is unoriginal or relies mostly on appropriation.
2.D A potentially engaging theme is present but is largely unsuccessful.
2.E The work shows a weak understanding or limited application of 2-D design principles.
2.F The work is mostly repetitive; only a few pieces show slight signs of transformation or
suggest growth.
2.G Overall, the work demonstrates marginal technical competence and awkward use of
materials and media.
2.H The works appear to be direct copies of published or photographic sources or the work of
other artists; there is little discernible student voice or individual transformation.

2.I The images are difficult to see properly because they are too small, unfocused, or poorly
lighted.
2.J Little evidence of accomplishment is demonstrated; overall the work is at a weak level.
NOTES:
I cant stress enough the need for conceptual coherence in your approach in this section.
You must show a growth in your thinking as well as in the use of media and design, and your
choices of medium, design, subject matter and stylistic approach should be developed in
consideration of how their use will add to the visual language of your image.
You may end up producing well more than 12 pieces as you explore your concentration topic,
and some may be stepping-stones to a more successful development of your ideas, so dont
think in terms of numbers or even the finished nature of all the work. All of the work done for the
concentration should document the growth of your creative thinking and studio approaches as
you develop the concentration.