Introduction
The IB Visual Arts process portfolio is designed to showcase how you experiment, not just what you finish. Examiners want to see that you’ve taken risks, tested new media, and reflected on successes and failures. But many students struggle to make experimentation clear — they either hide mistakes or focus only on polished outcomes.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to effectively show experimentation in your process portfolio so that your creative risk-taking shines through.
Why Experimentation Matters
Experimentation is part of the IB Visual Arts assessment criteria. Examiners look for:
- Risk-taking — trying unfamiliar media or techniques.
- Variety — exploring different styles, scales, or approaches.
- Process over perfection — valuing your journey as much as the final artwork.
- Reflection — showing awareness of what worked and what didn’t.
Without experimentation, your portfolio risks looking flat or repetitive.
Best Ways to Show Experimentation
1. Document Failed Attempts
Don’t erase mistakes — include them. Show a painting where the color balance didn’t work, or a sculpture that collapsed, and annotate what you learned.
2. Compare Different Media
Experiment with multiple media on the same idea. For example:
- Sketch an object in pencil, then recreate it in ink, collage, or digital.
- Photograph a subject, then interpret it in painting or mixed media.
3. Play With Scale
Try large and small versions of the same idea. This shows curiosity about how scale affects meaning and impact.
