Working as a cartoonist or satirical cartoonist means having a responsibility to tell a story about burning social issues or funny topics through your own boards. For example, you could draw comics, newspaper cartoons, strips, or graphic novels. To be a cartoonist or a cartoonist, knowing how to draw and specialize is not enough. Becoming a well-rounded designer means first of all having a voice and understanding how to achieve your professional goals.
Steps
Step 1. Practice the skills needed to become a cartoonist or cartoonist
- Learn and practice to master basic artistic skills, such as facial expressions, faces and objects. Also, try drawing 2D and 3D cartoons.
- Experiment with character and story development.
Step 2. Choose your specialization
Try to understand what types of comics you would like to create. In addition to drawing, you need to make a list of other personal interests. For example, if you like to tell stories, you can focus on graphic novels. If you are into politics, you could become a satirical cartoonist. You may decide to create a comic strip because you love funny stories
Step 3. For professional training, sign up for a good course
You can attend the fine arts academy to improve your artistic skills. Find out about the entry requirements for the institution you are interested in and prepare accordingly.
- Choose an academic program that features arts courses that fit your business goals.
- Constantly attend courses and sit exams.
- If possible, also try to take courses in journalism, history and political science to diversify your education and prepare you for the specialization you are interested in, such as becoming a satirical cartoonist.
- Join organizations and groups of students or professional cartoonists to network with your future colleagues and learn more about your career.
Step 4. Get experience
- Submit your work to online or print magazines, participate in competitions.
- Look for opportunities for apprenticeships. Such a program can last one to three years. You will take the opportunity to collaborate with artists who create cartoons for work. You will learn how to develop comic strips or graphic novels.
Advice
- Try to do an internship that allows you to have a concrete work experience. Take advantage of it even if it is not mandatory for your study plan. An internship offers you the opportunity to gain more knowledge, network, find a mentor, and cross the threshold of the professional world.
- The more published works you include in your portfolio, the more chances you will have of becoming a cartoonist for a prominent newspaper.
- In the portfolio, always include your best works, especially if you have published them.
- Don't worry if you don't have any jobs to add to your published portfolio. In general, they will ask you for samples of your work regardless of how it was used.
- To gain experience in high school or college, try collaborating with the school or faculty newspaper. You can work as a cartoonist, publish your plates and enrich your portfolio.
