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AP 3D ART + DESIGN SYLLABUS
AP® 3-D Art & Design
Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High
Classical Fine Arts Academy
Ms. Begoña Seijas
[email protected]
www. BeeCreativewithSeijas.com
COLLEGE COURSE EQUIVALENT:
The AP 3-D Art and Design course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in three-dimensional (3-D) art and design.
Prerequisite: 3D Studio Art 1, 2, & 3 Honors
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The AP 3-D Art and Design course framework presents an inquiry-based approach to learning about and making forms and structures in art and design. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, concepts, and ideas in three dimensions. The framework focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within college art and design 3-D foundation courses with the same intent: to help students become inquisitive, thoughtful artists and designers able to create, explore, and develop works as well as to articulate information about their work. AP 3-D Art and Design students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, exploration, revision, communication, and reflection.
The course emphasizes creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiency, and personal voice in three-dimensional art forms such as ceramics, sculpture, architectural models, installation, assemblage, and digital 3D work. Students will develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution through sustained investigation, experimentation, and refinement of 3D media.
COURSE GOALS:
There are project requirements, but the projects are open-ended enough for you to develop your own style and mode of expression. The development of the portfolio is an ongoing process that uses informed and critical decision making to assemble a body of work. Work is expected to be of high quality in thought, process, and product. You are expected to use artistic integrity. Work based on another artist’s work or photos must move beyond mere duplication and become an expression of your own personal voice and vision. Through discussions and selected readings, students will be made aware of what plagiarism is and what it encompasses in regard to the making of art.
SUBMITTING A PORTFOLIO FOR 3D ART & DESIGN:
Portfolio Requirements: 2 Sections
SELECTED WORKS: 40%
The Selected Works section offers students the opportunity to make and present three-dimensional works of art and design with minimal constraints. Students will submit five examples that demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 3-D art and design skills. The submission can be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works. These works may also be submitted in the Sustained Investigation section, but they don’t have to be. Along with each work, students are required to submit written responses to prompts about the work. Responses are evaluated along with the images that students submit. The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that are clearly related to the images of work submitted, that directly and completely address the prompts, and that provide further evidence of skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas shown in the work. Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) material, process, idea, style, or content. Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit. If the work involved collaboration, the student submitting the work needs to have made all key decisions about materials, processes, and ideas used and needs to have performed the activities that produced the work.
In the Selected Works section, work at this level should be:
REQUIREMENTS AND PROMPTS:
Submit five works (10 digital images) that demonstrate:
For each work, state the following in writing:
The most successful portfolio submissions will demonstrate:
SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION: 60%
This section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to make and present works of art and design based on an in-depth investigation of materials, processes, and ideas done over time. Sustained investigation is guided by questions. It involves practice, experimentation, and revision using materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation section is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works from the Sustained Investigation section may also be submitted in the Selected Works section, but they don’t have to be.
The Sustained Investigation section is a planned investigation of an idea of personal interest to you. In this section you will develop a body of work that grows from this investigation. You must submit 15 digital images in this section which demonstrates a sustained investigation created and developed through practice, experimentation, and revision. Questions that guide the sustained investigation are typically formulated at the beginning of the portfolio development. Students should formulate their questions based on their own life experiences and ideas. These guiding questions should be documented and further developed by students throughout the sustained investigation.
Along with each work, students are required to submit written responses to prompts about the work. Responses to these prompts are evaluated along with the images that students submit. The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that are clearly related to the images of work submitted; that directly and completely address the prompts; and that provide evidence of inquiry-based sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) basis of inquiry, type of investigation, or use of material, process, idea, style, or content for the Sustained Investigation. Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit. If work involved collaboration, the student submitting the work needs to have made all key decisions about materials, processes, and ideas used and needs to have performed the activities that produced the work.
REQUIREMENTS AND PROMPTS:
Submit 15 images that demonstrate:
State the following in writing:
Identify the following for each image:
For each written prompt, students should keep in mind:
DIGITAL SUBMISSION:
A digital, web-based submission process is used for the Sustained Investigation section of the AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio Exams. The AP Art and Design portfolios digital submission web application (https://digitalportfolio.collegeboard.org/) is accessible to coordinators, teachers, and students beginning in November of each year.
RESOURCES:
The following online resources can be valuable tools:
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
Students will:
ARTISTIC INTEGRITY AGREEMENT:
Throughout the course, AP Art and Design students learn that they must create their own works. They should consider their individual direct observations from their own life experiences, environment, dreams, and fantasies.
This course will teach students to understand artistic integrity, plagiarism, copyright laws, and the need for citations for all resources used to develop their work. Students will read and discuss the “Artistic Integrity Statement” from the AP Art and Design Course and Exam Description: It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and may even violate copyright law for students to copy another work or image (even in another medium) and represent it as their own.
If College Board determines in its sole discretion that you have violated any part of this artistic integrity agreement, such as by failing to properly attribute preexisting works, using generative AI tools, or attempting to pass off another’s work as your work, College Board may cancel your score.
SKETCHBOOKS:
Throughout this class you will be expected to keep a sketchbook of your notes, projects, research, etc. You will also be required to add written critiques into the journal, both self-critiques and critiques of your fellow student's work. Work in your journal is an ongoing process that will help you make informed and critical decisions about the progress of your work. Your sketchbook is the perfect place to try a variety of concepts and techniques as you develop your own voice and style. Students are required to bring their sketchbook to class every time, failure to do so will result in a lower grade. Assignments for the sketchbook will be assigned in class. Sketchbook will be graded periodically throughout the grading period.
your ideas about what makes good art to be challenged.
EVALUATION:
Studio Projects : 65%
Sketchbook Assignments : 20%
Participation : 15%
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS:
Students are required to have a sketchbook for this class.
LAB FEE:
There is a $15.00 lab fee. This fee must be paid in the beginning of the school year.
CALENDAR FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
1st QUARTER – August 14, 2025 – October 17, 2025
2nd QUARTER – October 20, 2025 – January 15, 2026
3rd QUARTER – January 20, 2026 – April 2, 2026
4th QUARTER – April 6, 2026 – June 4, 2026
**ALL WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW BY FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026.**
TEACHER AND STUDENT/PARENT COMMUNICATION:
Parents and students who have any questions or need to contact me can reach me at (305) 805-1900 or email me at [email protected]. You can also access my website to view assignments, due dates and critique dates.
www.BeeCreativewithSeijas.com
Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is
what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” – Matt Hardy
Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High
Classical Fine Arts Academy
Ms. Begoña Seijas
[email protected]
www. BeeCreativewithSeijas.com
COLLEGE COURSE EQUIVALENT:
The AP 3-D Art and Design course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in three-dimensional (3-D) art and design.
Prerequisite: 3D Studio Art 1, 2, & 3 Honors
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The AP 3-D Art and Design course framework presents an inquiry-based approach to learning about and making forms and structures in art and design. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, concepts, and ideas in three dimensions. The framework focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within college art and design 3-D foundation courses with the same intent: to help students become inquisitive, thoughtful artists and designers able to create, explore, and develop works as well as to articulate information about their work. AP 3-D Art and Design students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, exploration, revision, communication, and reflection.
The course emphasizes creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiency, and personal voice in three-dimensional art forms such as ceramics, sculpture, architectural models, installation, assemblage, and digital 3D work. Students will develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution through sustained investigation, experimentation, and refinement of 3D media.
COURSE GOALS:
- Develop technical skills across a variety of 3D media.
- Keeping an artist’s sketchbook
- Build a portfolio that demonstrates growth, experimentation, and risk-taking.
- Engage in critical analysis and peer critique to refine ideas and artworks.
- Explore historical and contemporary examples of 3D art.
- Cultivate a personal artistic voice through a sustained investigation.
- The ability to conduct a sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions and explorations.
- The ability to skillfully master and synthesize materials, processes, concepts, and ideas.
- The ability to articulate, through three-dimensional works and in writing, information about one’s work.
There are project requirements, but the projects are open-ended enough for you to develop your own style and mode of expression. The development of the portfolio is an ongoing process that uses informed and critical decision making to assemble a body of work. Work is expected to be of high quality in thought, process, and product. You are expected to use artistic integrity. Work based on another artist’s work or photos must move beyond mere duplication and become an expression of your own personal voice and vision. Through discussions and selected readings, students will be made aware of what plagiarism is and what it encompasses in regard to the making of art.
SUBMITTING A PORTFOLIO FOR 3D ART & DESIGN:
Portfolio Requirements: 2 Sections
SELECTED WORKS: 40%
The Selected Works section offers students the opportunity to make and present three-dimensional works of art and design with minimal constraints. Students will submit five examples that demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 3-D art and design skills. The submission can be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works. These works may also be submitted in the Sustained Investigation section, but they don’t have to be. Along with each work, students are required to submit written responses to prompts about the work. Responses are evaluated along with the images that students submit. The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that are clearly related to the images of work submitted, that directly and completely address the prompts, and that provide further evidence of skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas shown in the work. Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) material, process, idea, style, or content. Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit. If the work involved collaboration, the student submitting the work needs to have made all key decisions about materials, processes, and ideas used and needs to have performed the activities that produced the work.
In the Selected Works section, work at this level should be:
- Demonstrating mastery of concepts, compositional/structural design and execution in 3-D art and design.
- an imaginative, inventive, and confident articulation of the principles of design
- an accomplished use of the elements of design guided by the principles
- Demonstrating a synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas in 3-D art and design
- fairly complex visual and or conceptual ideas
- using materials effectively
- technique should be excellent
- successful engagement with experimentation and/or risk taking
- demonstrating informed decision-making
REQUIREMENTS AND PROMPTS:
Submit five works (10 digital images) that demonstrate:
- 3-D skills (depending on type of portfolio submitted)
- Synthesis of materials, processes, concepts and ideas using 3-D art and design skills, forms, and structures.
For each work, state the following in writing:
- Idea(s) visually evident (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Materials used (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Processes used (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Digital Tools (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Image Citation (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
The most successful portfolio submissions will demonstrate:
- Visual evidence of advanced 3-D skills
- Visual evidence of synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas
- Visual evidence of the written idea in all five works of art
SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION: 60%
This section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to make and present works of art and design based on an in-depth investigation of materials, processes, and ideas done over time. Sustained investigation is guided by questions. It involves practice, experimentation, and revision using materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation section is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works from the Sustained Investigation section may also be submitted in the Selected Works section, but they don’t have to be.
The Sustained Investigation section is a planned investigation of an idea of personal interest to you. In this section you will develop a body of work that grows from this investigation. You must submit 15 digital images in this section which demonstrates a sustained investigation created and developed through practice, experimentation, and revision. Questions that guide the sustained investigation are typically formulated at the beginning of the portfolio development. Students should formulate their questions based on their own life experiences and ideas. These guiding questions should be documented and further developed by students throughout the sustained investigation.
Along with each work, students are required to submit written responses to prompts about the work. Responses to these prompts are evaluated along with the images that students submit. The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that are clearly related to the images of work submitted; that directly and completely address the prompts; and that provide evidence of inquiry-based sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) basis of inquiry, type of investigation, or use of material, process, idea, style, or content for the Sustained Investigation. Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit. If work involved collaboration, the student submitting the work needs to have made all key decisions about materials, processes, and ideas used and needs to have performed the activities that produced the work.
REQUIREMENTS AND PROMPTS:
Submit 15 images that demonstrate:
- Sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision
- Sustained investigation of materials, processes, ideas, and themes
- Synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas; elements of art and principles of design.
- 3-D designs, forms, and structures
State the following in writing:
- Identify the questions that guided your sustained investigation (600 characters maximum, including spaces).
- Describe how your sustained investigation shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision guided by your questions (600 characters maximum, including spaces).
Identify the following for each image:
- Materials used (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Processes used (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Size (height × width × depth, in inches)
- Digital tools (100 characters maximum, including spaces)
- Image Citation (100 characters maximum, including spaces).
For each written prompt, students should keep in mind:
- The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that are clearly related to the images of 3-D work submitted, that directly and completely address the prompts, and that provide further evidence of skillful synthesis of 3-D design materials, processes, concepts, and ideas shown in the work,
- Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
DIGITAL SUBMISSION:
A digital, web-based submission process is used for the Sustained Investigation section of the AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio Exams. The AP Art and Design portfolios digital submission web application (https://digitalportfolio.collegeboard.org/) is accessible to coordinators, teachers, and students beginning in November of each year.
RESOURCES:
The following online resources can be valuable tools:
- Students will use sketchbooks to document at least one work of art and design they experience in person each week. Examples include architecture; both wheel and hand-constructed ceramic vessels; sculpture in clay; carved and/or constructed wood, metal, stone, wax, or wire; 3-D fashion forms; graphics constructions; and art and design in the classroom, at home, or in the community.
- Students should observe diverse visual forms, investigating how materials, processes, concepts, and ideas used in a work relate to the context of the artist/designer.
- Digital art and design magazines such as Art in America, Art News, Ceramics Now and Ceramics Monthly will be available in the classroom and/or school library to allow a constant flow of new information resources, both historical and contemporary, for investigating materials, processes, and ideas.
- Throughout the year, while building their AP 3-D Art and Design portfolios, students will create a website to build a digital portfolio, facilitating ongoing class discussions, and enabling each student to see their growing portfolio in digital form through the process of development. These digital portfolios include both finished and in-process works such as pages scanned or photographed from sketchbooks, journals, and other analog resources, as well as writing about their work.
- Students will use their cell phones and Lightroom mobile to photograph and document work. They will use Adobe Lightroom to enhance images, clearly showing materials, processes, and ideas. Students will have access to a black or white background and lights to photograph their work.
- Beginning in November, students will begin uploading work to the AP digital submission web application.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
Students will:
- Come to class and begin working
- Complete work assigned for outside the class
- Complete projects on time (and meet with the instructor if an event arises that prevents this)
- Participate in lectures, discussions, group and individual critiques, and demonstrations.
- Seek advice from peers with special knowledge or skills when they get stuck
- Clean up their work and take care of equipment and tools
- Show respect to everyone in the classroom and their artworks, as well as tot heir own works of art
- Constantly work in their sketchbooks for ideas, research, planning and reflection of the work they have and will be creating.
ARTISTIC INTEGRITY AGREEMENT:
Throughout the course, AP Art and Design students learn that they must create their own works. They should consider their individual direct observations from their own life experiences, environment, dreams, and fantasies.
This course will teach students to understand artistic integrity, plagiarism, copyright laws, and the need for citations for all resources used to develop their work. Students will read and discuss the “Artistic Integrity Statement” from the AP Art and Design Course and Exam Description: It is unethical, constitutes plagiarism, and may even violate copyright law for students to copy another work or image (even in another medium) and represent it as their own.
If College Board determines in its sole discretion that you have violated any part of this artistic integrity agreement, such as by failing to properly attribute preexisting works, using generative AI tools, or attempting to pass off another’s work as your work, College Board may cancel your score.
SKETCHBOOKS:
Throughout this class you will be expected to keep a sketchbook of your notes, projects, research, etc. You will also be required to add written critiques into the journal, both self-critiques and critiques of your fellow student's work. Work in your journal is an ongoing process that will help you make informed and critical decisions about the progress of your work. Your sketchbook is the perfect place to try a variety of concepts and techniques as you develop your own voice and style. Students are required to bring their sketchbook to class every time, failure to do so will result in a lower grade. Assignments for the sketchbook will be assigned in class. Sketchbook will be graded periodically throughout the grading period.
- Put the date on every page you finish.
- Be careful. The use of published photographs or the work of other artists for
- No cute, pretty, precious, adorable or trite images. This is a college level art class,
your ideas about what makes good art to be challenged.
EVALUATION:
Studio Projects : 65%
Sketchbook Assignments : 20%
Participation : 15%
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS:
Students are required to have a sketchbook for this class.
LAB FEE:
There is a $15.00 lab fee. This fee must be paid in the beginning of the school year.
CALENDAR FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
1st QUARTER – August 14, 2025 – October 17, 2025
- Course overview, AP portfolio requirements, sketchbook setup
- Introductory 3D exercises
- Begin brainstorming Sustained Investigation themes
- Proposal due: Written outline of Sustained Investigation (theme + 3–4 possible directions)
- Group critique session mid-quarter
- Begin first piece for Sustained Investigation (SI #1)
- Sketchbook: Weekly entries documenting process, materials, reflections
- Project - Wearable Art or Functional 3D Object (jewelry, fashion, ceramics, etc.)
- Begin SI #2
- End of Quarter Critique – SI #1 and #2, and Wearable Art
2nd QUARTER – October 20, 2025 – January 15, 2026
- Begin SI #3
- Students write mid-year artist statement draft
- Begin SI #4
- Project - Interactive Sculpture or Kinetic Piece
- Finish SI #3 & SI #4
- Sketchbook: Document decision-making, problem-solving, influences
- Individual check-ins on portfolio progress before winter break
- Peer review of artist statements
- Begin SI #5
- End of Quarter Critiques – SI #3, SI# 4, and Interactive Sculpture or Kinetic Piece.
3rd QUARTER – January 20, 2026 – April 2, 2026
- Finish SI #5
- Begin SI #6
- Project - Found Object Sculpture (assemblage inspired by Louise Nevelson or Cornelia Parker)
- Begin SI #7
- Begin photographing works for digital submission
- Sketchbook: Document decision-making, problem-solving, influences
- Write/refine written commentary for SI pieces
- Practice uploading to AP Digital Submission site
- Begin SI #8
- End of Quarter Critiques – SI #5, SI #6, and SI #7
4th QUARTER – April 6, 2026 – June 4, 2026
- Finish SI #8
- Project - Small sculptural piece exploring personal theme
- Begin SI #9
- Sketchbook: Document decision-making, problem-solving, influences
- Complete SI #9 and optional SI #10 (if time allows)
- Photograph, edit, and organize 5 Selected Works
- Final artist statement completed
- Critiques – SI #8, SI #9, and possible (SI #10)
- Early May: Official AP Portfolio Submission Deadline
- Post-AP project: collaborative installation or community-based art piece
- Reflection essay: What did I learn about my art practice this year?
**ALL WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW BY FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026.**
TEACHER AND STUDENT/PARENT COMMUNICATION:
Parents and students who have any questions or need to contact me can reach me at (305) 805-1900 or email me at [email protected]. You can also access my website to view assignments, due dates and critique dates.
www.BeeCreativewithSeijas.com
Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is
what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” – Matt Hardy
