Why are sketchbooks highly recommended for OCSA's Digital Media Applications?
Hey! Sorry this is late. Ok I know you asked about Digital Media, but this is also applicable to CalArts for anyone else who’s wondering. In my opinion, sketchbooks are super important because ideally they show these things:
1. You’re working on your technical skills. This is definitely everyone’s least favorite part but the most important! Drawing from observation is so, so important. But I want to remind you that doesn’t mean just a bunch of perfectly rendered, photorealistic pencil drawings. Be sloppy! Use crayons! Use funky colors! Stylize it however you want. I absolutely love seeing artists that can breathe new life into an observational drawing.
2. You draw a lot. Sketchbooks ideally should be messy and filled up, showing that you have a lot of ideas and that you just can’t stop drawing! Adding things like observational drawings and journal entries on what you do during your day really strengthen your sketchbook.
3. You experiment. It’s rare for your finished art pieces to be conceptually or technically out there because it’s risky to devote so much time to a project that might not work out. Sketchbooks are there for you to try these new ideas out on a smaller scale first. And it’s very important to experiment with new mediums, concepts, and styles in order to improve.
4. You’re always coming up with ideas. Character designs, comics, storyboards, setting designs, story ideas, film ideas, game designs - whatever you want! I used to make characters out of candy wrappers. Some of my friends write deep personal stuff in theirs. Some even have short song compositions! That’s super cool but definitely unnecessary. Just make it your own!
Ok that’s what I can think of right now. Hope it helped :^)