Cartoonists are not required to have any formal training, although an associate's or bachelor's degree in fine arts may be an asset. To appeal to potential clients, they need a strong body of work assembled in a portfolio that showcases their talents, and courses in drawing and computer-aided design are one way to develop that material.
Essential Information
A cartoonist combines writing and drawing to convey humor and tell stories about current events, recent trends, made-up worlds and even everyday life situations. In general, cartoonists do not need formal education, though some postsecondary training may improve their chances of employment.
| Required Education | None; postsecondary training in fine arts can be helpful |
| Other Requirements | Artistic ability and portfolio |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 1% (Fine artists, including illustrators) |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $52,340 (Fine artists, including illustrators) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description for a Cartoonist
Cartoonists have a natural talent for drawing that may be further developed in a post-secondary art program. They may create single pane drawings, which comment on an issue or event, or publish a serial cartoon, which follows a character over a period of time. Their work may appear in newspapers or magazines, as well as graphic novels, Internet publications and computer games.
Cartoonists are constantly thinking about the world around them and need to be knowledgeable about local and global events, and stay current on popular culture and trends since these topics provide the inspiration for their work. A routine encounter from their daily life can spark an idea. They're also skillful writers who must convey the irony or humor about their subject in as few words as possible.
Duties
Some cartoonists like to draw freehand, using a pencil to sketch their creation. The next step is to go over the drawing in ink, erasing the pencil marks. Others may prefer to use computer drawing software. The final drawing is then scanned or uploaded and attached to an email to the client.
Cartoonist Career Information
Cartoonists are usually self-employed and must devote a significant amount of time to building their following and promoting their work. They may maintain a website where they respond to fan comments and offer cartoon-related merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs or greeting cards, as well as books featuring their most popular characters or comic strips. They also seek out potential new clients either in the media or with advertisers looking for a cartoon character. Conferring with clients to incorporate their ideas into the artwork is essential to maintaining good client relationships and can lead to referrals for additional work.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for fine artists, which includes illustrators and cartoonists, was projected to grow by 1% from 2019 through 2029. Although the BLS notes that employers will be able to choose from a pool of many more qualified candidates than available positions, it also states that job opportunities in online media, electronic magazines and video game industry sectors will offset declines in traditional publishing. The BLS reports that as of May 2020, fine artists earned a median salary of $52,340 per year.
Training
For training, aspiring cartoonists may look to independent art schools and colleges that offer associates and bachelor's degrees in fine arts. Coursework may range from free hand drawing to computer animation.
Cartoonists can convey a message or idea with a combination of drawings and words. Cartoons are often humorous, although they may also be political or intended as social commentary. Most cartoonists are self-employed.
