<p>(I also posted this on the Parents Forum.) Can somebody with portfolio review experience shed some light on the "sketchbook" that many schools ask be included in the portfolio? I surmise that the portfolio should principally be finished pieces that you're proud of, but then they also want to see a collection of the quick little sketches that you might do when you're working out a concept in your head, or practicing for something that goes into a bigger piece.</p>
<p>The portfolios are often digitized and transmitted electronically, but some schools talk about in-person review. Would the digital vs. in-person presentation make any difference with the sketchbook piece of it?</p>
<p>Can somebody with experience fill me in?</p>
<p>The College of Design at my son’s university does not admit right out of high school. All prospective design students (studio arts, architecture, industrial design, etc) take the same core design sequence freshman year. They then prepare their portfolio based upon that work and are admitted based upon that work. Part of the portfolio is made up of finished work but another big part is a process board. The process boards describe the design process involved in each project (final work) through preliminary images, sketches and notes.</p>
<p>I suspect what you are talking about is similar.</p>
<p>If you have a sketch book, it can be as simple as letting a reviewer page through it. They want to see how you think and create. It speaks to your process. The sketch book is like looking at your doodles and your serious works.</p>
<p>Submit it the way each school wants it to be submitted.</p>
<p>Also, the term finished work has different definitions - finished is not necessarily perfect. I’ve seen a few artists get hung up on perfection - some works never get finished or works lack personality because the perfection can be boring. I just mention this because I’ve seen it happen at national portfolio days.</p>