Art & stories

What does a
cartoonist do?

Draws comics and cartoons that tell stories or share ideas.

A career guide for curious students · Grades 3–12

Illustration of a cartoonist at work
Explore the everyday work behind this career.

A day in the life

Thinks up ideas, draws characters, writes short scripts, and meets deadlines.

Skills to practise

Drawing, humour, storytelling.

How to explore this path

Practice, a portfolio, and optional art courses.

Training, qualifications and professional rules vary by country. Check current local requirements with a teacher or careers counsellor.

School subjects & interests

Cartoonist connects with Art, Languages. You may enjoy this work if you like creative.

TRY A LITTLE OF THIS CAREER

A hands-on activity

Draw a four-panel comic about something funny at school.

Ask an adult to help. Follow the safety notes in the activity. Printable activities are currently in English.

For younger explorers: a simpler explanation

What do they do?

Cartoonists draw comics that make us think or laugh.

What helps?

Drawing and having fun ideas.

Learning about the path

You practise a lot and build a portfolio.

Questions to explore next

Related careers to discover

My exploration notebook

Stored only in this browser. Choose up to three careers for a side-by-side comparison.