AP+Studio+Art+Digital+Submission

Signature School Advanced Placement Art Students (and IB Students sitting the AP Exam), The following information pertains to the requirements for digitally uploading and submitting your Studio Work. The AP Central Digital Submissions Site will be available in January until the submissions date, the first Friday in May. Please follow the instructions when uploading images to our wiki sites: [|WWW.sigapart.wikispaces.com] and www.ibart.wikispaces.com **AP Studio Art Digital Submission** The AP Studio Art Exam consists of two components: · ** Digital ** images and commentary uploaded by students and submitted to AP by the AP Coordinator, via the AP Studio Art Digital Submission Web application · ** Physical ** portfolios: the Quality section (five actual artworks) for Drawing and 2-D Design portfolios, assembled and mailed to the AP Program o ** Note: ** The 3-D Design portfolio has no physical component and is submitted entirely online. The Digital Submission Web application will become available in mid to late January. In the meantime, you should be working with your students to capture digital images of their artworks that adhere to the image recommendations and requirements outlined below.

Detailed instructions about using the Studio Art Digital Submission Web application will be available on this page later in the fall.

Technical Requirements and Recommendations Coordinators, students, and teachers will need access to a computer with an Internet connection to access the Digital Submission Web application. In addition, students or their teacher(s) will need access to a digital camera to capture images of their artworks.

To effectively access the AP Studio Art Digital Submission Web application, schools and students will be required to use the recommended operating systems and browsers. Users will not be restricted to specific hardware configurations; however, it should be noted that slower response times may result from using older computer hardware.

Software Requirements:

· Windows XP Home or Professional · Windows Vista Home, Business, Premium, or Ultimate · Mac OS 10.4 or higher · Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and 7.0 · Firefox 2.0 or 3.0 · Safari 2.0 or 3.0 Requirements and Recommendations for Students' Digital Images:
 * Operating System (one of the following): **
 * Web Browser (one of the following): **

All images must be submitted in JPEG format (file name extension .jpg) and RGB color mode. We recommend using files that are 72 pixels-per-inch (ppi) because a higher resolution does not add clarity when viewing images on a computer screen.

Recommended image sizes:

· Recommended maximum size: 780 x 530 pixels (10.83 x 7.36 inches) · Recommended minimum size: 480 x 480 pixels (6.67 x 6.67 inches) · Recommended maximum size: 530 x 780 pixels (7.36 x 10.83 inches) · Recommended minimum size: 480 x 480 pixels (6.67 x 6.67 inches) Note: The image sizes above are recommendations. Students' image sizes may be different. Maximum file size: Files cannot exceed 3.0 MB per image. (Students' image files will likely be considerably smaller than that.)
 * Landscape orientation: **
 * Portrait orientation: **

Free Disk Space: · Drawing and 2-D Design Portfolio: Based on the maximum file size of 3.0 MB and a total of 24 digital images per portfolio, each student would need a maximum of 72 MB of free disk space per portfolio. · 3-D Design Portfolio: Based on the maximum file size of 3.0 MB and a total of 38 digital images, each student would need a maximum of 114 MB of free disk space. Frequently Asked Questions Below are answers to frequently asked questions about digital imaging and professional development, which should help you as you and your students create digital images of artworks in advance of the mid- to late-January launch of the AP Studio Art Digital Submission Web application. Please check back later in the fall for answers to questions specifically about using the Digital Submission Web application.
 * AP Studio Art Digital Submission FAQs **

[|**Technical Specifications and Digital Imaging**] ·  [|I don't understand the technical specifications. Can you give me simpler instructions?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What resolution should images be?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|How do I reduce the number of pixels in an image? The pictures I have taken already are larger than the image recommendations.] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What file format should be used for saving images?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What file size should be used to save images?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|Are there guidelines for image sizes?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|I'm concerned about how students' work will look when it is displayed according to the recommended image specifications. What does an image with these specifications look like?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|Will the Readers who evaluate the students' images be able to see them as we do?] [|**Photographing Artwork**] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What type of camera should students use?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|How should students get started taking pictures?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|Where can I (and my students) download image editing software?] [|**Saving, Managing, and Editing Image Files**] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|How are images transferred from the camera to a computer or other storage devices?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What should students name their files before uploading them to the application?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|How much editing or manipulation can be done to images of artwork?] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|Should I create back-up files of student images?] [|**Professional Development**] ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  [|What resources are available to help me learn more about digital photography?] 

Please visit [|AP Studio Art Digital Submission] for a list of technical requirements and recommendations for the AP Studio Art Digital Submission Web application.

I don't understand the technical specifications. Can you give me simpler instructions? The three most important things to remember are the following: ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The images must be in JPEG format (file name extension .jpg). ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Each image file must be 3 MB or smaller in size. ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Image sizes, whether in pixels or inches, must meet the requirements listed [|here]. Since there are so many different cameras and software applications that may be involved in creating and editing the images, it is impossible to present a set of directions for resizing images that is accurate for all situations. If you are new to digital imaging, please visit Short Courses: The Online Library of Digital Photography to learn more about digital photography and photo editing, including resizing.

It will also be helpful to read through your camera's owner's manual and to review your software application’s tutorial and/or help pages. As with traditional photography, experimenting with the camera until you feel confident with your abilities is the best approach to digital photography and photo editing. With digital photography, the advantages are that your results are immediate, and that mistakes are correctable with the touch of a button or two.

What resolution should images be? For files that are uploaded to the Web application, we recommend using a resolution of 72 pixels-per-inch (ppi) because a higher resolution does not add clarity when viewing images on a computer screen. For information about image resolution, visit A Short Course in Sensors, Pixels, and Image Sizes.

How do I reduce the number of pixels in an image? The pictures I have taken already are larger than the image recommendations. Once image files have been uploaded from your camera and saved to your computer, the image editing software of your choice (Photoshop, Picasa, Microsoft Picture Manager, etc.) can be used to edit the images files so that they meet the recommendations for digital submission. Information about free, downloadable image editing software is available [|below].

What file format should be used for saving images? All images for the digital portfolio must be submitted in JPEG format (file name extension .jpg). For information about file formats, visit A Short Course in Digital Photography Workflow.

What file size should be used to save images? Individual image file size should be no larger than 3 MB. In most cases, individual image files will be much smaller than 3 MB and may well be smaller than 1 MB.

Are there guidelines for image sizes? For artworks with landscape orientation, recommended maximum measurements are 10.83 x 7.36 inches; recommended minimum measurements are 6.67 x 6.67 inches. For artworks with portrait orientation, recommended maximum measurements are 7.36 x 10.83 inches; recommended minimum measurements are 6.67 x 6.67 inches.

I'm concerned about how students' work will look when it is displayed according to the recommended image specifications. What does an image with these specifications look like? For information about how images are displayed on a computer monitor, visit this tutorial or A Short Course in Sensors, Pixels, and Image Sizes.

Will the Readers who evaluate the students’ images be able to see them as we do? Yes. Once your students have uploaded their images into the AP Studio Art portfolio submission application, you will be able to see how the images will be displayed to the Readers who will evaluate the portfolios. The image displayed within the application is the same as what the Readers will see.



What type of camera should students use? Any type of image-capturing device may be used to create digital image files. Traditional 35mm film cameras can be used; most film processing facilities provide the option of converting film images to digital images. For smaller, flat artworks, a scanner may be used to create a digital image of the work. Visit //Curtin's Guide to Digital Cameras// for information about selecting a digital camera and scanning.

How should students get started taking pictures? A thorough review of the camera's user manual is a good way for students to familiarize themselves with the camera and its functions. Taking experimental or practice images is the next step. Once they are comfortable with photographing their artwork, students can upload the images to their computers and work with an image editing application to edit the images to meet the requirements for the digital portfolio. Visit //Curtin's Guide to Digital Cameras// for information about working with digital cameras.

Where can I (and my students) download image editing software? Below are some sources for free, downloadable image editing and management software: ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  Picasa ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  Photoscape ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  Paint.NET ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  FastStone  How are images transferred from a camera to a computer or other storage device? For information about transferring images, visit A Short Course in Digital Photography Workflow.

What should students name their files before uploading them to the application? Students may name their image files anything they would like as long as each image file has a unique file name. When viewing the images, the Readers who evaluate the portfolios will not be able to see the students’ original file names.

How much editing or manipulation can be done to images of artwork? The goals of image editing for digital submission should be to present the clearest, most accurate representation of the students' artworks, and to ensure that images meet the requirements of the Digital Submission Web application. When submitting their portfolios, students must indicate their acceptance of the following statement: "I hereby affirm that all works in this portfolio were done by me and that these images accurately represent my actual work."

Should I create back-up files of student images? Yes. It is recommended that images be stored in more than one location, in case technical difficulties interfere with retrieval of stored data. Back-up image files can be stored on CDs, external hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, and other portable electronic devices. For more information about storing images, visit A Short Course in Digital Photography Workflow.

What resources are available to help me learn more about digital photography? ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">  The Online Library of Digital Photography ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> George Schaub's //Hands-On Digital Photography: A Step-by-Step Course in Camera Controls, Software Techniques, and Successful Imaging// (Amphoto Books, 2007)