
Advanced Placement 3-D Art and Design Syllabus
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.
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.
Instructional Goals:
The AP 3-D Art and Design course addresses the following learning outcomes:
• 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.
AP 3-D Art and Design Curricular Requirements:
1. Students will be encouraged to investigate a variety of 2-D and 3-D creative art and design
resources to enhance their aesthetic understanding and generate possibilities for their sustained
investigation as well as the Selected Works section of the AP 3-D Art Portfolio Exam. The following
online resources can be valuable tools: https://Art21.org
, YouTube and lineofaction.com
2. While online resources are phenomenal tools for inspiration, students are expected to experience
two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and design in person as well. Students will use
sketchbooks to document and verbally share 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.
3. Printed and digital art and design magazines & books such as Scholastic Art, Art in Focus, Art Talk,
Understanding Art, and many more, 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.
4. Regular screenings in class of short videos on contemporary artists and designers from the Art21
website or YouTube will offer students a wide variety of potential sources of inspiration for
portfolio development.