5 answers
Nora
Student
Adams, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What/do you need a degree in order to be able to make cartoons?
#career #job #artist #art #college
I want to become a concept artist or a storyboard artist for cartoons and I'm not sure if we need a degree in order to "officially" become one? and if we do what degree would it be? and how would you get it?
also, I don't know if I formatted this correctly cause this is my first time on this website.
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5 answers
Amy Vu
Mathematics Professor
8
Answers
Shreveport, Louisiana
Updated
Amy’s Answer
You don't need a degree to draw cartoons. You can just start drawing. If you want to learn to use digital tools, then you should get a degree in Digital Arts and Media. Many two year colleges and some four year colleges offer this degree. Depending on the college, it will be either in the computer science department or the business department (most of the time).
Jonathan Shih
Director of Partnerships & Alliances
6
Answers
Pleasanton, California
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Actually if you are interested in making cartoons a college degree is not a must requirements. Fortunately for this current generation there are many online sites that allows you to showcase your talent and post web comics for example. If you are good at storyline and basic concepts of drawing that is more important than having a college degree. A professional school, online education sites, and community college courses focusing on illustration or graphic design would be a good idea. I would therfore suggest the following actions:
Search "webcomics" and how you can create and post your contents.
Search for low cost online courses on graphic design and other art related courses to see if you like the field.
Read lots and lots of highly rated stories, books, or watch movies, get ideas on how to create interesting stories.
Jonathan recommends the following next steps:
Katie Williams
Asst. Producer
8
Answers
Marina del Rey, California
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Nora,
As many people have said, you don't need a degree to "officially" to make cartoons. If you're interested in animation, I would start with watching some youtube videos about the animation process and pipeline and checking out "Pixar in a Box" on Khan Academy. Storyboards and concept art are just one piece of the puzzle that goes into making an animated film, and storyboard and concept art are tools used in many creative industries, not just animation. Film, TV, Theater, Theme Parks, Architecture, and many more industries all have artists on staff who take an idea and visualize it.
Many schools do offer animation programs. CalArts would probably be the most famous, as it's a feeder for the animation industry. Additionally, there are majors in illustration at many colleges such as Ringling, ArtCenter, and Otis College of Art and Design if you're more interested in static art creation.
Going to college to pursue animation will give you a great technical and foundational knowledge that is applicable to the industry as a whole, as well as provide opportunities to hone your creative voice and discover who you are as an artist.
As with many artists, having a personal art practice as well will only make your professional work better. Animation is a group effort and you won't always be the one generating ideas, so it's important to have an outlet to continue your practice outside of work. Start creating, make a website, and showcase your work. Whether it's in school, at home, or in a job, it's important to always be sharpening your skills and continuing to develop in your artistic practice.
As many people have said, you don't need a degree to "officially" to make cartoons. If you're interested in animation, I would start with watching some youtube videos about the animation process and pipeline and checking out "Pixar in a Box" on Khan Academy. Storyboards and concept art are just one piece of the puzzle that goes into making an animated film, and storyboard and concept art are tools used in many creative industries, not just animation. Film, TV, Theater, Theme Parks, Architecture, and many more industries all have artists on staff who take an idea and visualize it.
Many schools do offer animation programs. CalArts would probably be the most famous, as it's a feeder for the animation industry. Additionally, there are majors in illustration at many colleges such as Ringling, ArtCenter, and Otis College of Art and Design if you're more interested in static art creation.
Going to college to pursue animation will give you a great technical and foundational knowledge that is applicable to the industry as a whole, as well as provide opportunities to hone your creative voice and discover who you are as an artist.
As with many artists, having a personal art practice as well will only make your professional work better. Animation is a group effort and you won't always be the one generating ideas, so it's important to have an outlet to continue your practice outside of work. Start creating, make a website, and showcase your work. Whether it's in school, at home, or in a job, it's important to always be sharpening your skills and continuing to develop in your artistic practice.
James Newbery
Retail sales - training - leadership
40
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
James’s Answer
I would sale fine arts - visual arts kind of degree to narrow down and make your skillset better. :)
Karen Ruiz León
BCC Community Outreach Counselor
17
Answers
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hi Nora.
Lots of great advice from the community here! If you want to pursue this from an academic perspective, I would suggest our Visual Arts concentration in the Fine Arts degree program. The Liberal Arts Program allows you the flexibility to choose your own courses. Below are the links to the programs I mentioned. -Karen R.L.
https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Programs-Of-Study/Fine-and-Performing-Arts/Visual-Arts-A-A
https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Programs-Of-Study/Liberal-Arts/Liberal-Arts-A-A
Lots of great advice from the community here! If you want to pursue this from an academic perspective, I would suggest our Visual Arts concentration in the Fine Arts degree program. The Liberal Arts Program allows you the flexibility to choose your own courses. Below are the links to the programs I mentioned. -Karen R.L.
https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Programs-Of-Study/Fine-and-Performing-Arts/Visual-Arts-A-A
https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Programs-Of-Study/Liberal-Arts/Liberal-Arts-A-A
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