How to Become a Cartoonist

- Salary, Qualification, Skills, Role and Responsibilities

Who is a Cartoonist?

If you want to be a cartoonist, live the life of a cartoonist ~ Oliver Gaspirtz

A cartoonist is a professional who draws cartoons or pictures either on sketchbooks or on computers. Cartoonists work for magazines, newspapers, publishing houses, print and digital media, gaming companies, and studios. A cartoonist specialises in one or several other fields such as political commentary, comic strips, installation guides, or user manuals.

In today’s scenario, cartoons are not only used for entertainment, but also to represent current events, news, and social emotions. Cartoonists are not only the artists who make sketches, they are the present world’s revolutionaries who represent the reality of the situation with appropriate humour and sensibility. But what is it that fuels a cartoonist? In this article we will discuss how to become a cartoonist in India, cartoonist roles and responsibilities, is cartoonist is a good career and cartoonist skills.

Cartoonist in a Nutshell

A cartoonist is someone who draws cartoons or pictures. A cartoonist deals with animated characters and digital tools. Cartoonists work in various kinds of companies such as magazines, newspapers, publishing houses, and gaming studios. Some cartoonists also work as a freelancer or accept commissioned work.

Quick Facts for Cartoonist

Industry
Entertainment, Media
Suitable for
Male, Female, Others

The job is preferable for anybody who wants to pursue his or her career in cartooning. Both men and women can work as cartoonists, it is suitable for all. If a person has the required skillsets and the right attitude, then there is no stopping.
Any special needs
Yes

There are no limitations for specially-abled people to choose cartooning as a career. A career as a cartoonist is a desk job that can be done remotely without any physical movement or external efforts. Hence, the job is a perfect fit for anyone who is specially abled.

Table of Contents for Cartoonist

What is the role of Cartoonist?

What is the workplace/work environment of Cartoonist like?

How to become a Cartoonist?

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Cartoonist?

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Cartoonist?

What is the job outlook for Cartoonist?

Frequently Asked Questions for Cartoonist

What is the role of Cartoonist?

Are you wondering how to become a cartoon artist or what are the cartoonist roles and responsibilities? In this article we have covered all your queries be it cartoonist eligibility or cartoonist skills. The primary role of a cartoonist is to create or draw images. If we define cartoonist job description, then we can definitely say that cartoonists create or design graphics, motion pictures, commercials, online advertisements, films, and video games. Cartoonists create, edit animations and visual effects as per the director’s or client’s requirements.

Develop processes

The role of a Cartoonist is to undertake various physical aspects into consideration before beginning design. During the research, they are responsible for developing various processes and diagnosing methodologies in order to excel in the scope of cartooning for the particular section.

Study

One of the most important parts of a cartoonist's job includes studying the project they are working on. They are required to constantly study and remain updated at each and every step of the project. They are responsible for studying the project, its scope in land development, limitations, efficiency that the project exhibits, and the consequences related to the project.

Consultation

The cartoonist roles and responsibilities include consulting different professionals including other cartoonists in order to meet certain requirements of the project they are working on. For instance, political cartoonists are required to meet and consult several research scientists working on the same project as them. Read further to know how to become a cartoonist in India.

What is the workplace/work environment of Cartoonist like?

Cartoonists usually work in a tech-equipped office or a studio. The workspace will depend on the particular form of company, under which the cartoonists function. A cartoonist is considered to be part of the entertainment industry and typically has a modern approach to office space. It may be convenient to work from home, and flexible working hours may have been offered.

Does Cartoonist require travelling?

Likely

Travelling is not necessary for cartoonists. Cartoonists do not need to fly. From their offices or studios, they may simply accomplish their assignment. Cartoonists that participate in initial planning, need to meet with the client to discuss ideas for the work layout. This preference in terms of working hours and location provides considerable versatility and is a good choice.

Employment Shifts

Full Time, Part Time

They are usually required to work full-time during office hours. There are exceptions where freelance or part-time cartoonists work according to their own work hours. Usually, cartoonists work about seven-eight hours per day and up to 12 hours in case of a major project. The working hours vary from organisation to organisation. Jobs shift off a cartoonist is both full-time as well as part-time and there are more part-time workers than full-time employees according to a study.

Employment Nature

Contractual, Permanent

The animation industry accommodates both contractual and permanent jobs. Although, a full-time job is a preference for most of cartoonists.

Work Place

Home Office, Office

Although many cartoonists work individually, people who work as part of a team also work for professional animation organisations. Most cartoonists collaborate with colleagues on projects or communicate with clients everywhere in the world. Many other cartoonists do freelancing from home and there are also self-employed cartoonists.

Presence in Geographical Area

Urban

There are less or no prospects for cartoonists in rural areas. Most of the cartoonist's jobs are in urban areas, they can find jobs in cities like Gurgaon, New Delhi and Bangalore. Cartoonists usually work for media industries like entertainment, news, and business communications that are situated in Tier-1 cities. Hence, most of the cartoonists work in an urban setup.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 40 Hours

Cartoonists work about seven-eight hours per day and up to 12 hours in case of a major project.

How to become a Cartoonist?

Steps to become a Cartoonist

Do you know how your favourite cartoon character Doremon or Chota Bheem or your favourite animated character the Great Tiger or Farah, the Prince of Persia's design came? It is from the mind and imagination of a Cartoonist. If you are someone who loves to design or communicate through cartoons, then you must opt for a career as a Cartoonist. Below we have given the steps for how to become a Cartoonist in India.

Identify Skills
Enrol in Formal Training/Course
Pursue Specialised Certification
Pursue an Internship
Build a Portfolio & Resume
Find Job Opportunities and Apply
Begin A Career
Build Network

01 Step

Identify Skills

A career as a Cartoonist requires a lot of practical skills and knowledge, therefore you must know what are the skills required and develop them from time to time. We have mentioned here some of the soft skills and hard skills for how to become a Cartoonist in India.

Some of the soft skills that are required to opt for a career as a Cartoonist are critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, ideation, and attention to detail. We have mentioned these skills in detail in the Skills and Trait section of this article.

Creativity
Curiosity
Artistic
Originality
Imagination
Professionalism
Communication
Time Management

If you are looking for the details on how to become a Cartoonist in India then you must also have some of the hard skills apart from the soft skills mentioned above. Some of the hard skills are design software, design principles, visual communication and user experience Design.

Drawing Skills
Adobe Photoshop
Graphic Design
Knowledge of Comics
Sketching Skills
Character Design
Adobe Illustrator
AutoCAD

02 Step

Enrol in Formal Training/Course

If you are looking for how to become a Cartoonist in India then you must opt for a formal training programme in any of the fields in your 10+2 level of education from a recognised board in India.

You can pursue a bachelor's degree in arts, fine arts and animation and then a master’s degree. You can opt for an entry-level job immediately after your bachelor’s degree and then go for a master’s degree for higher positions. We have mentioned below the Cartoonist exams, cartoonist qualification, cartoonist eligibility, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees.

Entrance Examinations

NID DAT	AICET
NIFT	CEED

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

B.A (Bachelor of Arts)	B.F.A (Bachelor of Arts in fine Arts)
B.Des (Graphic Design)	B. A in Drawing and Painting
B.Sc in Animation	BA Hons in Digital Animation
BSc (Bachelor of Science) in Gaming and Animation	B.Des (Bachelor of Design)

Master’s Degree Programmes

M.A (Master of Arts)	M.F.A (Master of Arts in fine Arts)
M.Des (Graphic Design)	M. A in Drawing and Painting
M.Sc in Animation	MA Hons in Digital Animation
MSc (Master of Science) in Gaming and Animation	M.Des (Master of Design)

03 Step

Pursue Specialised Certification

Here are some of the specialised certifications to increase your subject knowledge and skills. Pursuing a certification course apart from your formal education will help you to master your skills which will help you to be ahead of others. It is advisable that you opt for a certification course as a career as a Cartoonist is more on the practical side. It is completely optional whether you opt for it. We have mentioned below some of the specialised certifications.

UX Designer	3D Digital Game Art and Design
Character Setup and Animation	Blender 3D Modeling and Animation 20+ 3D Projects in Blender
Ultimate Blender 3D Character Creation and Animation Course	PowerPoint Masterclass Presentation Design and Animation
Learn to Storyboard for Film or Animation	User Experience Design Essentials Adobe XD UI UX Design

04 Step

Pursue an Internship

Once you have completed your education or specialised certification, you can pursue an internship, in a design, or animation studio where you will be getting hands-on experience opportunities, working under the senior or professionals.

Opting for an internship also helps you to gain industry knowledge and higher opportunities to get your dream job. There are many opportunities that are available for Cartoonist interns in various companies, you can apply through various internship or job offering platforms in the relevant industry.

05 Step

Build a Portfolio & Resume

When you have pursued your internship, now you will have some work experience, you can now create your portfolio where you will be putting all your design projects including storyboards, drawings, sketches and others which you have worked on during your college or internship duration which will help you to showcase your skills and capability and grab the hold attention of the interviewers.

In order to successfully become a Cartoonist you must build a strong resume that will include all of your details such as educational background, interest in the field or job, and projects. After creating a resume and a portfolio you are now ready to apply for Cartoonist jobs.

06 Step

Find Job Opportunities and Apply

When you have finished your internship, you can now apply for full-time job opportunities. You can apply on various job offering platforms such as Naukri, Linkedin, Monster and Indeed.

The Cartoonist usually works in art studios, companies with in-house design teams, greeting card companies, newspapers, Ad agencies, animation film studios, web design firms, marketing firms, and print and online publishers, you can apply to one of these companies as per your interest and prepare for the interview.

07 Step

Begin A Career

This is the final step in how to become a Cartoonist in India. After attending some of the related interviews you can select the best and the right offer that will build your career, accept it and join the company and begin your career.

08 Step

Build Network

Once you have joined the company, you are required to build your network. You can visit the events and workshops, and conferences related to design and maintain relationships with design professionals and other related professionals. This will open up higher job opportunities to collaborate with other designers or other companies.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Cartoonist?

Creativity
An eye for detail
Colour theory skills
Patience
Technical skills
Drawing skills

In this section, we have discussed cartoonist skills that are required to function effectively.

Creativity: As a cartoonist, one is expected to work creatively and produce original, aesthetic, and pleasing designs and animation. A career as a cartoonist is ever-changing and requires professionals to generate creative graphical content on an everyday basis. Cartoonists are expected to take inspiration from day-to-day mundane things and turn it into entertaining work.

Patience: Patience is a crucial factor during the process of sketching or drawing. Mind-block is a common phenomenon in artist's work and hence as a cartoonist, one must remain calm and patient and must find a way to keep generating engaging content. Patience and perseverance are the key tools for an artist.

Eye for detail: The whole concept of animation is related to visuals and displays, and hence even a slight mistake will reflect a huge loophole in the result. As a cartoonist, one must focus on each and every aspect of the project and make the most out of every detail provided to him or her.

Technical skills: An cartoonist needs to mix technical abilities with realistic abilities to give the characters life. Having good drawing skills is essential, as it is easier to sketch the ideas on the tablet for animation. A cartoonist also needs to acknowledge how and why the character moves and be mindful of the animation rules. One should have in-depth knowledge of specialist computer generation software such as Maya, Flash, and After Effects.

Drawing skills: The very first phase in creating animation is the development of a plan and a storyline. The cartoonist requires strong drawing skills to give a design team or client a visual interpretation of the animation idea. The cartoonist generates a storyline in certain situations or helps the client in the formation of the storyline.

Colour theory: To be a good cartoonist aspiring students ought to learn the colour theories first because every animation requires colours. They also need to realise how to use colours and what shade they will be using to convey various thoughts and emotions.

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Cartoonist?

Internship Availability

Yes

There are plenty of internships available in the field of animation. Various companies and organisations hire interns with relevant skills and interests. Through online recruiting portals, one should discover numerous internship openings. Through internships, individuals get hands-on experience. The majority of internships are provided by higher education cartoonist colleges paying for the preparation. Scroll down to know how to become a cartoonist in India.

What is the job outlook for Cartoonist?

Opportunities in the animation industry exist both with the government as well as private sector enterprises. Animation itself is an industry, and it is on the boom. There exist numerous animation houses both in India and abroad that work for clientele.

A cartoonist and multimedia professional can also work as a freelancer or start his or her own enterprise given he or she has entrepreneurial skills and funds for investments. cartoonists work in various fields like Advertising, Online and Print News Media, Film & Television, Cartoon production, Theater, and Video Gaming. Read further to know how to become a cartoonist in India, what is cartoonist qualification and cartoonist eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cartoonist

Que. What do cartoonists do?

Ans.

Cartoonists create or design graphics, motion pictures, commercials, online advertisements, films, video games. They create, edit animations and visual effects as per the director’s or clients’ requirements. Cartoonists design animations and graphics for television, video games, internet marketing, online advertising, website development, and more.

Que. What kind of education is required to be a cartoonist?

Ans.

Generally, a bachelor’s degree is required in the field of animation. But there are many cartoonists who hold only a certificate or a diploma.

Que. Do I need to study science to be a cartoonist?

Ans.

No, you can take up any stream after class 10. Science is not compulsory but it would definitely help you if you have a technical bend of mind and a knack to learn new software.

Que. Can someone be a good cartoonist without having a good understanding of colours?

Ans.

Knowing to play with colors will definitely be an advantage but even if your sense of colours is not that strong you will not lose too much.

Que. What is the clean-up artist job description?

Ans.

Clean-up is a part of the process in hand-drawn animation development. The first sketches are called "roughs" or "draft animation" in traditional animation, as they are mostly done in a really informal manner. The artist who does the clean-ups is in charge of the final line and completed the shot look.

Que. How long does it take to become a cartoonist?

Ans.

This solely depends on the course and also on the cartoonist college. If a student opts for any degree course then it generally takes three years but if any student chooses a diploma course they will study for one or two years. There are some short-term certificate courses that take only six months to complete.

Que. What does a cartoonist do on a daily basis?

Ans.

Cartoonists and multimedia designers produce simple sketches, paintings, and animations on a regular basis for product labels, cartons, advertising, or TV. They design complex graphics and animation using computer hardware, individual decision, and innovation.

Que. What is the stop motion cartoonist job description?

Ans.

Stop motion cartoonist's job description is to incorporate the art of film, storytelling abilities, and the power to control framing and measure angles without digitally altering the animation to stop motion. The cartoonist creates images of objects, characters or scenes which display them in different positions

Que. How long does it take to become a cartoonist?

Ans.

To become a cartoonist in India, it will take a 4-year degree in art and design or fine arts. It involves a lot of practice to learn drawing skills and storytelling techniques.