Introduction
The IB Visual Arts process portfolio is more than a sketchbook — it’s a documented journey of your artistic exploration. Unlike the exhibition, which showcases finished works, the process portfolio highlights how you got there. A strong structure can make the difference between an average score and a top-grade submission.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to structure your IB Visual Arts process portfolio so that it’s organized, examiner-friendly, and full of creativity.
What Is the Process Portfolio?
The process portfolio is a digital submission that records experimentation, research, and reflection. It should demonstrate:
- Exploration of different media and techniques.
- Research into artists, styles, and cultural influences.
- Development of personal themes and ideas.
- Connections between experimentation and final artworks.
It’s not about polished, finished pieces — it’s about showing growth, risk-taking, and thinking.
Recommended Structure for the Process Portfolio
While IB doesn’t prescribe an exact layout, a clear structure helps examiners follow your progress.
1. Introduction Page
- State your overall artistic interests and goals.
- Introduce themes you’re curious about.
- Set the tone for the journey.
2. Experimentation Pages
- Show attempts with different media (painting, photography, sculpture, digital).
- Document both successes and failures.
- Annotate with short reflections about what worked and what didn’t.
3. Research and Artist Influence Pages
- Analyze works of established artists.
- Make direct connections between their techniques and your experiments.
- Use visuals, quotes, and comparisons.
4. Development of Ideas
- Trace how a theme emerges in your work.
- Show brainstorming, sketches, and small studies.
- Include notes on why you pursued certain ideas.
5. Connections to Final Works
- Link experiments and research to the pieces chosen for your exhibition.
- Explain how process informed outcome.
- Highlight your growth as an artist.
6. Reflection and Evaluation
- Reflect on challenges, risks, and breakthroughs.
- Evaluate what you would do differently.
- Show self-awareness and critical thinking.
Tips for a Strong Process Portfolio
- Balance visuals and text: Examiners prefer annotated images, not essays.
- Keep it clear: Organize pages with consistent headings and layouts.
- Highlight variety: Show different approaches, not just your strengths.
- Embrace mistakes: Failed experiments prove risk-taking and growth.
- Make connections: Always link process to final artworks and themes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much text: Long essays slow examiners down. Keep annotations concise.
- Lack of experimentation: Repeating one medium looks limited.
- Ignoring influences: Examiners want evidence of research and contextual understanding.
- Unclear structure: A random page order makes it hard to follow your journey.
- Only showing successes: Avoid hiding failures — they strengthen your portfolio.
FAQs on the Process Portfolio
Q1: How many pages should my process portfolio be?
For SL: 9–18 screens. For HL: 13–25 screens. Each “screen” counts as one digital page.
Q2: Do I have to use a sketchbook format?
No. You can scan pages from a physical sketchbook or design digital layouts. What matters is clarity and organization.
Q3: Can I include unfinished works?
Yes — the process portfolio is about experimentation, not polished results.
Q4: Do I need to cite sources when researching artists?
Absolutely. Examiners expect proper credit for images and ideas.
Q5: Should the process portfolio connect to my exhibition?
Yes. While not every experiment needs to lead to a final artwork, there should be clear links between process and outcome.
Conclusion
The IB Visual Arts process portfolio is your chance to prove your growth as an artist. By structuring it with clear sections — from experimentation and research to development and reflection — you show examiners not just what you created, but how you think and evolve. A well-structured portfolio communicates creativity, curiosity, and critical reflection, all of which lead to higher marks.
