Good at visualizing things through drawings? Know how to cherish this rare profession!

Being a cartoonist is a very entertaining profession. If you have the art of visualizing things and printing them on paper with beautiful effects, this profession is for you.

This is a very rare kind of profession with not much competition. Not many people have the dual talent of imagination and drawing art on paper or as graphic visuals.

Some people have a passion for being a cartoonist and so they take up this as a secondary job with something else being their primary job. The field of freelancing also allows you the opportunity to offer services as a cartoonist.

The general opinion is that having a sole career of being a cartoonist cannot pay your bills completely.

Still have a burning desire to be a cartoonist? Here’s all you need to know:

1. Determine your god-gifted talent.

Some people have talents which they consider as being god-gifted talents. Everyone has expertise in something or the other.

If you think that you have an imaginary skill of making stories and bringing them to life by drawing, this profession is made for you.

If you think that you can earn through your talent then you should make efforts for further taking them to the next level.

2. Always maintain a portfolio.

A portfolio helps a lot. You should build up your portfolio so that you can showcase your talent publicly.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a job and the employers ask for samples then you can easily present them with your portfolio.

3. Enroll yourself in a relevant course.

Enrolling yourself in courses related to the field, such as a course on cartooning, fine arts, graphic design or animation, would be of immense benefit.

You can learn things which can otherwise be very difficult to acquire easily. Also, you get to know new tips and tricks and also if any easier method exists for doing certain things.

You should always utilize your time by making efforts for yourself. Keep searching for the best courses and climb the ladder of success.

4. Do Internships.

You should do more and more internships in this field to gain experience. Experience matters a lot, in every field where ever you go.

Companies ask for your experience and in such cases having experience through internships will be of immense benefit. Also, at a younger age, there is a high requirement for pocket money.

Working as an intern will give you twin benefits. Firstly, earning money and secondly, having experience.

5. Publicize your work.

One of the easiest ways of being recognized is to publicize your work and make it recognizable.

You should make your work samples available on the Internet. Also, you should provide your work samples to various social media platforms. So that employers get to see your work and can talk to you regarding your hiring process, whether it’s a full-time job or a freelancer.

6. Develop relevant skills.

Being a cartoonist requires a lot of hard work and determination. If you want to be a cartoonist, you need to have knowledge of technical and non-technical stuff as well.

By the word ‘technical’, we mean that one should be having complete knowledge of the tools and mediums used in cartooning. The ‘non-technical’ part refers to a cartoonist having a soft hand in drawing and making cartoons.

What are the salary prospects of cartoonists?

One cannot specify how much a cartoonist can earn. It solely depends on the type of project you are undertaking. You will earn depending on the number of skills you have imbibed and how much you are recognised in this field.

The salary of a cartoonist is generally low in its initial years. But afterwards, it witnesses steady growth as the cartoonist gains experience and recognition. Cartoonists also earn through royalty payments and bonuses.

Downsides of being a Cartoonist

Being a cartoonist requires a lot of time. Hence, life is not easy. The production of cartoons depends on one’s imagination but there’s always the pressure of meeting a lot of deadlines by publishers.

Hence, cartoonists need to learn to be resilient to daily work pressure and accompanying stress.

Perks of being a Cartoonist

Being a cartoonist does not have any specialized perks. But it’s a highly-specialized profession. Hence, if you work hard and produce quality cartoons, you and your work have a higher chance of being noticed.

The Requirement of Cartoonists in the Market

It is to be noted that the demand for a cartoonist is mostly in urban areas and large towns rather than rural or small areas. Generally, cartoons are produced in one place and then distributed to different publishers all over the world.

Hence, if you are a cartoonist from a small town then the opportunity may not be plenty. But there is still hope for you to get hired by publishers and websites. Hence, all it takes is a determination to succeed in this field.​

Conclusion

Being a cartoonist can be very rewarding and satisfying. It requires hard work, dedication and willingness to never give up. One should always keep learning new skills and stay updated with the latest trends in this field.

Besides, you have to make sure that you are being realistic about your expectations in this profession. It is only with patience and commitment that you will be able to make a name for yourself in this field. So, go ahead and become a cartoonist if you have a passion for it!