There’s no set career path for becoming a cartoonist, and the requirements vary just as much as the venues in which cartoonists work. Editorial cartoonists, for example, work for magazines and newspapers, using their comics to comment on current events. Cartoonists also create greeting cards, illustrating everything from birthday to get-well cards. They work for publishers, creating comic books and graphic novels as well as occasional book illustrations.

Skills

Cartoonists must have artistic and technical skills, including a talent for drawing and an understanding of the tools and mediums involved in cartooning. These tools include not only paper and pencil, but also computers and animation software. Cartoonists must also be adept at communicating with wit and humor, because in addition to being entertainment, cartoons often comment on current events, especially in the case of editorial cartoons, which often address politics, religion, economics or other potentially controversial topics. Writing talent is equally important, because cartoonists not only draw, but frequently write dialogue and titles. Cartoonist Hilary Price cites communication skills as even more crucial than artistic technique, saying there’s “an unspoken rule of newspaper comics” that “you can’t have bad writing and good art.”

Education

No specific training is required to become a cartoonist. In fact, you can teach yourself cartooning through books, DVDs and other educational materials, but to help develop professional-level skills, enroll in one of the many cartooning programs offered by colleges, universities, art institutes and other postsecondary institutions. Though not essential for finding employment, these programs guide you in every aspect of working as a cartoonist and offer you a way to create a portfolio, exhibit your work and find internships or employment after graduation. The Center for Cartoon Studies offers one- and two-year certificate programs, a two-year master of fine arts degree and summer workshops. Through the program, students learn the technical side of cartooning as well as completing an internship and compiling the all-important portfolio needed to demonstrate their skills to potential employers.

Portfolio

Employers value extensive training and experience when hiring cartoonists, but they place even more importance on the artist’s work. A sterling resume won’t get you hired unless it’s accompanied by a thorough and diverse portfolio of work that demonstrates to publishers that your cartooning style meshes with their editorial style. You can create a portfolio by freelancing, by creating pieces for private clients or by attending art classes or enrolling in a degree program. If you don’t have those options, you can assemble a portfolio of sample drawings and sketches.

Experience

You don’t need extensive experience as a cartoonist to secure employment. A strong body of sample work may be sufficient to prove your skills to employers. However, previous experience shows employers you’re consistent enough to produce a cartoon on deadline, and may help you build a following for your work. This following may encourage publishers to hire you, and is a must if you want to syndicate your work, which an estimated 250 cartoonists in the United States do, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Syndication companies compete with each other for newspaper space, and need cartoonists who can attract more subscribers. Cartoonists with industry experience and a strong following are more competitive.