The job of a Cartoonist is to draw various characters for animation to illustrate books or comics, advertisements, or create political cartoons for newspapers or magazines. They work with a team of skilled professionals who create ideas for the stories to run across various media platforms. For becoming a cartoonist, one must have drawing skills, creativity, originality etc. Around 42% of Cartoonists get employed in the Media and Entertainment sector, followed by 12% of Cartoonists who are working in the Public and Education sectors, according to Zippia. A cartoonist is a person who uses his/her drawing skills to bring ‘cartoonish’ characters and scenes into reality.
In order to be a Cartoonist, aspiring candidates must clear 10+2 in any discipline from a recognized board. After which they can choose to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate Animation Courses such as Bachelor’s degree in Design (BDes), or other related Fine Arts Courses or Graphic Design Courses from Top Animation Colleges across the Country such as NID Ahmedabad, Garden City College, etc. The top entrance exams to get into top animation colleges are NID DAT. Also Check: Animation Courses
Some of the top Animation Colleges for this profession are NID Ahmedabad, Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, Garden City College, Bangalore, etc. The average course fees for these animation colleges range between INR 1.75 L - 6 L per year. Some of the top recruiters who hire fresher as well as experienced cartoonists in India are Times of India, Cartoon Network, Amar Chitra Katha, The Indian Express and many more. Candidates can work as Editorial cartoonist, Digital cartoonist, Inker, Penciler, Colorist, Letterer, Comic Writer, Scripter, Illustrator and Background Artist for various newspapers, magazines, advertising and film and TV industry etc. The average salary of a Cartoonist is INR 3,11,000 per annum.
Table of Content
- How to Become a Cartoonist: Quick Facts
- Qualifications Required to Become a Cartoonist
- Types of Cartoonists
3.3 Comic writer
3.4 Illustrator
3.5 Animator
5.1 How to Become a Cartoonist After 12th
6.1 Entrance Exams
8.1 India
8.2 Abroad
How to Become a Cartoonist: Quick Facts
| Industry | Animation, Media & Entertainment |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any discipline with minimum aggregate of 50% or above from recognized institute |
| Certifications | Angular Styling & Animations Interactive Computer Graphics Unity Certified 3D Artist Learn to Animate |
| Top Recruiters | Cartoon Network Times of India The Indian Express Hindustan Times |
| Related Industries | Newspapers, Publishing Houses, Magazines, Film Industry, Advertising Companies |
| Required Skills | Creativity, Drawing skills, CAD, Communication skills, Critical thinking skills, Team work |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3.20 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 10 LPA & above |
Check: BFA Painting Course
Qualifications Required to Become a Cartoonist
The major qualifications required in order to become a cartoonist are listed below for your reference,
- Candidates must have cleared 10+2 in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university.
- Although there are no strict requirements to pursue higher education, it would be preferable if the candidate pursued undergraduate courses in Animation or Graphic Design.
- The candidate must possess some additional skills such as 3D designing, excellent drawing skills, Narrative, Technical skills will lend you an upper hand in the Animation Industry.
- The candidate after completion of undergraduate courses can opt to pursue post graduate courses in India as well as abroad.
See: Animation Courses
Types of Cartoonists
There are different types of Cartoonist job roles based on their specialization and area of expertise. Tabulated below are a few of them for your reference,
Editorial Cartoonist
| Definition | An editorial cartoonist is also known as a political cartoonist who draws editorial cartoons that contain some political and social commentary. They convey an aspect of daily news or current affairs. |
| Average Annual Salary (INR) | 4.08 LPA |
Digital Cartoonist
| Definition | They use various software, models, photography and drawings to create still and moving images for the purpose of advertisements, film, print , web or television. |
| Average Annual Salary (INR) | 3.26 LPA |
Comic Writer
| Definition | They create and develop characters, stories and plots for comic books. They think of an idea for a new comic and improvise existing comic book series and characters. |
| Average Annual Salary (INR) | 3.10 LPA |
Illustrator
| Definition | They combine hand-drawing and painting with the help of digital media to create complete illustrations. They refine designs with new and improved illustration software. |
| Average Annual Salary (INR) | 4 LPA |
Animator
| Definition | An animator is the one who is responsible for creating a series of images. They work with creative professionals including storytellers, designers and voice actors to produce films, video games and other forms of entertainment.] |
| Average Annual Salary (INR) | 5.20 LPA |
See: Animation Certificate Course
Steps to Follow to Become a Cartoonist
The table below will discuss in detail the steps that are necessary to become a successful cartoonist,
- Step 1 - Complete Graduation: Candidates must pursue undergraduate courses such as BDes, Bsc in Animation, BA Multimedia and many more. A degree in Animation or Fine Arts will help you train in disciplines like design, illustration, animation. It will help you motor your skills.
- Step 2 - Pursue Diploma or a Certificate Courses: Certificate or diploma courses help in developing skills in a short period of time and focus on a particular area. Candidates can pursue various certification courses such as Certificate in VFX, 2D Animation, Graphic Design , Computer Graphics.
- Step 3 - Develop Soft and technical Skills: The candidate must equip themselves with the right skills to become successful. The combination of artistic talent, technical skills and soft skills will help them to excel in the profession. These skills include creativity, communication skills, photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate and many more.
- Step 4 - Get into an Internship: The candidate must consider applying for internships at animation firms. They can also enroll for paid or even unpaid internships while pursuing undergraduate courses. This would help the candidates to understand job roles and gain experience which plays a very important role in an artist's career growth.
- Step 5 - Learn multiple cartooning styles: Cartoonists have unique styles of drawing. They can learn a variety of approaches, techniques and styles to expand their knowledge. Cartoonists can also learn the use of technology.
- Step 6 - Build a creative Portfolio: The candidate should build a portfolio which showcases their creativity and awareness of all recent techniques and designs. This will present artist work and other important accomplishments.
Check:
| BSc Animation and Multimedia colleges | BSc Animation and Graphics Colleges | BSc Animation and VFX Colleges |
How to Become a Cartoonist in India
To become a Cartoonist in India, the candidate must have completed class 12th in any discipline from a recognized institute. After 12th, the candidates can pursue various Diploma, Undergraduate or Post graduation courses such as BDes, BA in Multimedia and many more. The candidates can also pursue other certification courses for developing additional skills. To enroll in top colleges in India by appearing in entrance exams such as NID DAT, CEED, AIEED etc.
The sections below provide detailed information required to become a cartoonist is provided below for your reference,
School Level Preparation: In order to be a Cartoonist the steps that are to be followed are mentioned below,
- The candidate must have cleared 12th in any discipline from a recognized university.
- The candidates should work on enhancing their soft and technical skills.
- Candidates can start preparing for entrance exams from school and focus on different areas of the entrance exam paper.
- Candidates must clear the entrance exam to get admission in Bachelor’s program in Animation, Fine Arts or Graphic Designing
How to Become a Cartoonist After 12th
Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the crucial steps that are to be followed to become a Cartoonist after completing Class 12th board exams are mentioned below for your reference,
- Candidates in order to pursue Undergraduate Courses in animation should focus on clearing the entrance exams such as UCEED, AIEED, NID DAT, CEED, NIFT, etc.
- Candidates must score a minimum aggregate of 50% or above in undergraduate program
- Candidates can also choose to pursue other relevant courses such as certification or diploma courses.
- Candidates can also pursue courses which can upgrade their skills in different software programs such as AutoDesk, Sketchbook, Adobe Cartoon Animator, etc.
Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed to become a cartoonist after completing Undergraduate courses are,
- If a candidate wants to pursue a Postgraduate program in Animation, he must prepare for the entrance exams such as MGU CAT, VEE, etc.
- Candidates while pursuing post graduation can enroll themselves for paid or unpaid internships to understand the job role in a better way.
- After completion of post graduation, the candidate must apply for jobs.
Check: MSc Animation Colleges
How to Become a Cartoonist without a Degree
- Yes, making a career as a Cartoonist without any such college degree or qualification is also possible, as a cartoonist’s job role doesn’t need any theoretical knowledge and is fully skill-based.
- Though, there’s no eligibility criteria set for becoming a Cartoonist, a survey from Zippia has stated that every 7 out of 10 professional cartoonists in US hold a bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as Illustration, Drawing, Animation, Digital Art etc.
- So, having a graduate or postgraduate degree will never go in vain if you’re becoming a Cartoonist.
Animation Courses
Some of the top courses that can be pursued in order to become a cartoonist are tabulated below for your reference,
| Parameters | Bachelor of Design (BDes) | BSc in Animation and VFX | BSc in Animation and Multimedia | MA in Animation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 Level in any stream with 50% aggregate score. Appear for the entrance Exam (NID DAT) |
10+ 2 with at least 50% aggregate in science discipline | 10+ 2 with at least 50% aggregate in science discipline | Bachelor’s degree in Animation with 50% aggregate score |
| Top Colleges | NID Ahmedabad NID Haryana NIFT Kolkata NIFT Delhi |
BITS Vellore Institute of Technology Westford Institute of Film Technology Whistling Woods International Institute |
Arena Animation Westford Institute of Film Technology BITS Vellore Institute of Technology |
Sacred Heart College VELS Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies |
| Entrance Exams | NID DAT | JET, BHU UET, CUET, SUAT | JET, BHU UET, CUET, SUAT | MGU CAT, VEE |
| Average course fees | INR 1- 1,75,000 | INR 50000- 1,85,000 | INR 1,00,000- 5,00,000. | INR 42,000- 80,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 L- 6 LPA | INR 3 L- 6 LPA | INR 1.50 L- 2.50 LPA | INR 2L- 6 LPA |
How to Become a Cartoonist Abroad
Apart from India, there are several courses offered by other countries in order to be a Cartoonist abroad. Due to advancement in various technologies and software, countries like UK, USA , Canada and Australia have become a hub for pursuing courses in animation and graphic design. However, before applying for these courses one should fulfill basic prerequisites that are discussed below for your reference.
- Candidates must clear class 12th with minimum aggregate of 70% or above from a recognized institute
- Candidates must appear for English Proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL and must have secured a minimum score of 7and 85 and above respectively
- Some institutes might require that the candidate must have a valid SAT score.
- Candidates must create a portfolio which would present one's creativity and previous work experience.
- Candidates must submit a Statement of Purpose specifying the purpose, motivation and career interests.
Top Animation Colleges
India is home to more than 1100 animation colleges and 290 graphic design colleges. Out of which 95% are private,3% are public colleges and the remaining are deemed colleges. Apart from that, there are several colleges abroad that offer animation courses.
Some of the top colleges in India as well as abroad are mentioned below for your knowledge,
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart College | Ernakulam | 1,03,000 |
| VELS Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies | Chennai | 60,000 |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Jaipur | 4,77,000 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Chennai | 2,93,000 |
| Arena Animation | Bangalore | 50,000 |
| Loyola College | Chennai | 22,210 |
| Fergusson College | Pune | 76,145 |
| Pearl Academy | New Delhi | 6,25,800 |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | 32,000 |
| PSGR Krishnammal College for Women | Coiambatore | 12,450 |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| California Institute of the Arts | USA | 19,37,000 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | USA | 28,13,000 |
| Bournemouth University | UK | 14,37,000 |
| De Montfort University | UK | 10,10,000 |
| Falmouth University | UK | 16,31,000 |
| George Brown College | Canada | 16,54,000 |
| Continental College of Applied Arts and Technology | Canada | 19,82,000 |
| Fanshawe College | Canada | 8,89,000 |
| Deakin College | Australia | 16,46,000 |
| University of Technology Sydney | Australia | 64,15,000 |
Animation Industry
The Indian animation industry is gaining momentum globally with an increased number of animated series being produced all around the world. Cartoonists as a career brings multiple domains of arts together and offers very wide scope in the entertainment industry. According to the FICCI EY March 2023 report, the animation sector has grown by 24 per cent and the animation and VFX industry is expected to reach Rs 180 billion by 2024.
The demand for animation expanded with the increase in kids broadcasting after especially during the pandemic, the kids genre viewership grew about 30%. The increase in the viewership brought many advertisers in the market including e-learning platforms, e-commerce, personal care and FMCG brands. According to EY estimates, the animation sector will grow to 39.7 per cent in 2023 from 30.5%.
Some of the major sectors in which Cartoonists are high in demand is provided for your reference,
- Newspapers: the cartoonists who are employed in the newspaper industry are well known as editorial cartoonists or political cartoonists. They draw editorial cartoons containing some level of political or social agenda.
- Advertising Industry: The scope of animation in advertising covers different areas such as Script writing, character designing, art direction, story broadening, sound designing and much more.
Skills Required to become a Cartoonist
Being a successful cartoonist requires a candidate to possess some soft as well as technical skills. The major skills required to be cartoonist is provided in the following table below,
| Communication Skills | Creativity | Photoshop |
| Illustrator | Organizational Skills | InDesign |
| Artistic Skills | Procreate | Dialogue writing |
Pros & Cons of Becoming a Cartoonist
Every career has its own fair share of pros and cons. Some of the major positives and negatives of becoming a Cartoonist are provided below for your reference,
Pros of becoming a Cartoonist
- Paid for being creative: Creating cartoons is a kind of self-expression. A cartoonist can express his views and speak to people of all different backgrounds and for this they are paid a pretty decent amount.
- Can work from home: Many cartoonists work from home either as freelancer or working for a series of comics. Being a cartoonist requires motivation and to work in a comfortable environment and there's no better place than home.
- Good Salary: A cartoonist in India can earn a good amount provided he possesses requisite skills. The salary of a cartoonist in India ranges between INR 3 L- 7 LPA. Apart from that a cartoonist can also work as a freelancer and earn extra.
Cons of becoming a Cartoonist
- Limited Opportunities: Building a career as a cartoonist is not easy. For some it might be hard to break into the field or to make something of themselves. It’s a competitive field and thus requires great hard work.
- Not recognized: The career as a cartoonist is not recognized as a profession. It is more recognized as a passion for being a creative person. This is not considered by some people as a profession which can give one recognition and earn well.
Top Recruiters
The following are the top recruiters of cartoonist in India:
| Cartoon Network | Times of India | Amar Chitra Katha |
| Crest Animation Studios | Garbage Bin Entertainment Pvt Ltd | The Indian Express |
| Maya Entertainment | Pentamedia Graphics | The Green Media |
See: BSc Animation and Multimedia Jobs
Salary of a Cartoonist
In India, the average salary of a Cartoonist is around INR 4.10 LPA. A starting salary of a fresher candidate will be around INR 16,000- 25,000. However, this salary is dependent on several other factors such as experience, skills, knowledge and the company in which the candidate is working.
The average salary of a cartoonist based on their specialization is mentioned below for your reference,
| Specialization | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Editorial Cartoonist | 3,50,000. |
| Digital Cartoonist | 3,65,000 |
| Comic Writer | 5,15,000 |
| Illustrator | 3,10,000 |
| Background Artist | 2,75,000 |
| Animinator | 3,15,000 |
How to Become a Cartoonist: FAQs
Ques. Is it hard to become a cartoonist?
Ans. No. All you need to have good drawing abilities and an eye for details. You however need to learn about different software such as AutoDesk Sketchbook, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
Ques. Is cartoonist a good career?
Ans. Cartoonist as a career is slowly becoming a niche career option for various aspirants. A cartoonist generally earns an average salary of INR 311,000 per year. Also it provides huge satisfaction to people who like to express their thoughts in a creative manner.
Ques. Do cartoonists make money?
Ans. Yes, a cartoonist can earn a decent amount of money. The cartoonist at the entry level can earn around INR 12K-25K depending pon the company. At senior level (10+ years of experience) the cartoonist can earn a salary of INR 10,00,000 per annum.
Ques. Is cartoonist a job?
Ans. Yes, it is a job. Top companies like Cartoon Network, Times of India hire cartoonists in different job profiles.
Ques. How many hours does a cartoonist work?
Ans. A cartoonist generally has to work for 40nhoures a week. However, the hours may vary according to the different companies.
Ques. Is it hard to get an animation job?
Ans. The most apt answer is it depends. If you have the required qualifications and the skill sets then you can get an animator's job in a reputed company.
Ques. How many years of college do you need to be a cartoonist?
Ans. Most of the college degree courses are of the duration of 3-4 years.
Ques. What are the 5 different types of cartoon?
Ans. The five types of cartoon are traditional animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, Motion Graphics and Stop motion animation.
Ques. Can I be an animator if I can't draw?
Ans. It is not always necessary to be a good artist to be an animator. Howener, the candidates must have good knowledge about the principle of animation.
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