Inside This Unit: The Full Breakdown
Unit 2 surveys 2-D media and processes — drawing, painting, printmaking, collage/mixed media, photography, and digital — and how material choices and craftsmanship support an idea.
Why it matters
Portfolios must show experimentation with materials and processes; choosing media intentionally is part of what is assessed.
Key concepts
- Media include graphite, ink, paint, printmaking, photography, and digital.
- Materials and processes should serve the idea, not decorate it.
- Craftsmanship is intentional, skillful execution.
Materials, Processes & 2-D Media
Explore how each medium behaves, document your process and experiments (including those that fail), and justify material choices by their meaning. Breadth of exploration strengthens the Sustained Investigation.
AP exam tip
Document your process as you go — photos of experiments and revisions become evidence later.
Connections to other units
- Unit 1: Media realize the elements and principles.
- Unit 3: Experimentation drives the Sustained Investigation.
