How to Be Animation Cartoonist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 22, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of cartoonist as a profession has had a significant effect on the animation industry. With more and more people choosing to pursue a career in cartooning, the demand for talented animators has increased substantially. This has led to an influx of creative minds, from different backgrounds and disciplines, joining the animation field.

As a result, the quality and inventiveness of animated content has been greatly improved, with a greater variety of styles and themes now available. the cartoonist's role in creating new characters and stories has allowed for exciting and innovative storytelling, further enhancing the overall appeal and reach of animated content.

Steps How to Become

Develop your drawing skills. To become a successful animation cartoonist, you must have exceptional drawing skills. You should practice and explore different techniques to improve your drawing abilities.
Learn animation basics. Before getting into animation cartooning, it is essential to learn the basics of animation. You should learn about how to create scenes, characters, and stories for animations.
Get familiar with animation software. There are many animation software programs available in the market that you can use to create animations. It is important to get familiar with the software to be able to create animations efficiently.
Develop your storytelling skills. One of the most important skills you need to become an animation cartoonist is the ability to tell stories in a creative and engaging way. You should practice your storytelling skills by creating stories and sketches.
Create a portfolio. You should create a portfolio that showcases your work and shows your potential as an animation cartoonist. This portfolio should include your sketches, drawings, storyboards, and other animation work.
Apply for jobs. Once you have developed your skills and created a good portfolio, you can start applying for jobs in the industry. You can apply for jobs in animation studios, gaming companies, TV networks, or other places where animation is used.

The demand for reliable and capable cartoonists has increased significantly in recent years due to the growing popularity of animated films and television shows. As a result, there is a greater need for cartoonists with skill and experience in the field. To become a reliable and capable cartoonist, it is important to have an artistic eye, an understanding of the animation process, and an ability to think creatively and develop unique ideas.

having a good understanding of the principles of design, anatomy, and storytelling can be beneficial when creating animation. With dedication and practice, aspiring cartoonists can learn the necessary skills and techniques to become reliable and capable cartoonists.

You may want to check Art Department Coordinator/Manager/Producer, Layout Supervisor/Director, and Pre-Press Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Animator
Storyboard Artist
Layout Artist
Background Artist
Character Designer
Modeler
Character Animator
Effects Artist
Compositor
Art Director

Skills and Competencies to Have

Drawing skills
Understanding of anatomy and proportions
Knowledge of color theory and composition
Proficiency in digital tools and software
Strong storytelling and creative storytelling abilities
Ability to take direction and collaborate with others
Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadlines
Ability to work with a range of styles and techniques
Attention to detail and accuracy
Good communication skills

Being a successful cartoonist requires a variety of skills, but one of the most important is the ability to draw. Drawing is the foundation of creating cartoons, as it is necessary to sketch and design characters, objects and scenes. having an eye for detail is key when it comes to creating the finer points of a characters facial features or expressions.

Cartoonists must also have a knack for composition, in order to create well-balanced scenes. Having good knowledge of anatomy and perspective can also be beneficial when depicting characters from different angles and poses. Furthermore, having an understanding of color theory and how to use colors to convey emotions is essential for any cartoonist.

Finally, having a strong sense of humor and creativity is necessary for any successful cartoonist, as it helps to create original and entertaining stories. All of these skills combine to make the most important quality for a cartoonist: the ability to create a captivating story that draws in the reader and keeps them engaged.

Flash Programmer/Developer, Global Technical Director/Lead TD, and Political Cartoonist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in animation and cartooning?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in animation and cartooning?
How do you develop characters, stories, and ideas for cartoons?
How do you use technology to create animation and cartoons?
Do you have any experience with 3D or 2D animation software?
How do you stay current on the latest trends in animation and cartooning?
How do you handle creative differences when working with a team?
What is your experience with creating digital effects for cartoons?
What challenges have you faced while animating or cartooning and how did you overcome them?
What process do you use to ensure that your animation and cartoons are of the highest quality?

Common Tools in Industry

Pen and Paper. A basic tool for all cartoonists, pen and paper are used to draw the initial sketches for cartoons. (eg: sketching a scene in a comic book)
Animation Software. Animation software is used to create digital animations, such as those seen in movies or video games. (eg: Adobe Animate)
Drawing Tablet. Drawing tablets are used to create digital artwork, allowing cartoonists to draw with a stylus or mouse. (eg: Wacom Intuos Pro)
Digital Art Programs. Digital art programs are used to edit and manipulate digital artwork, such as coloring and adding effects. (eg: Adobe Photoshop)
3D Modeling Software. 3D modeling software allows cartoonists to create 3D objects and characters for use in their animations. (eg: Maya)
Video Editing Software. Video editing software is used to assemble the finished animation, adding sound, music, and special effects. (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Cartoonists Society (NCS)
Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC)
Graphic Artists Guild (GAG)
The International Animated Film Society (ASIFA)
International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA)
The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP)
Comic-Con International
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Animation Magazine
Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists

We also have Editorial Cartoonist, Computer Graphics Supervisor, and Digital Effects Supervisor/Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Animation. The process of creating moving images using a combination of art, technology, and storytelling.
Storyboarding. A visual representation of how a story progresses, using sketches and illustrations.
Character Design. The process of creating unique and distinct characters, including their appearance, personality, and other traits.
Layout. The process of arranging elements within a scene to create a cohesive composition.
Backgrounds. The environment or setting in which the characters and action take place.
Animation Principles. The basic principles governing the movement of objects in an animation, including timing, squash and stretch, anticipation, follow-through, and exaggeration.
Keyframing. The process of setting key poses in an animation to define the motion of an object or character.
Cel Animation. An animation technique in which individual drawings are painted on transparent sheets of plastic.
Stop Motion Animation. An animation technique in which objects are physically manipulated and photographed frame-by-frame to create the illusion of movement.
Digital Animation. An animation technique in which animated images are created using computer software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job of an Animation Cartoonist?

An Animation Cartoonist is a professional artist who creates illustrations, graphics and animations for cartoons, video games, TV shows, movies and other media.

What type of skills do Animation Cartoonists need?

Animation Cartoonists need to be proficient in drawing, sketching, digital painting, 2D and 3D animation, character and background design, storyboarding and animation software.

What type of career opportunities are available to Animation Cartoonists?

Animation Cartoonists can find career opportunities in the entertainment industry as well as in advertising, corporate and educational settings. They can become animators, storyboard artists, character designers, graphic designers and more.

How much do Animation Cartoonists make?

The exact salary of an Animation Cartoonist varies based on experience level, the type of project and the industry they are working in. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for animators was $72,520 in May 2019.

What qualifications are needed to become an Animation Cartoonist?

To become an Animation Cartoonist, you typically need a bachelors degree in animation or a related field such as graphic design or art. You may also need to demonstrate proficiency in software such as Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Maya and other animation programs.