Cartoonist Resume examples & templates
Copyable Cartoonist Resume examples
Ever wondered what it's like to turn doodles into dollars? As a cartoonist, your quirky characters and visual storytelling skills can lead to a surprisingly diverse career path. Whether you're creating newspaper strips, animated sequences, political commentary, or webcomics, the modern cartoonist juggles artistic talent with technological savvy and business acumen. The field has transformed dramatically since the days of pen-and-paper exclusivity—with digital tools and direct-to-audience platforms creating new opportunities (and challenges) for today's visual storytellers.
The shift toward digital publishing has been a game-changer, with about 67% of working cartoonists now using some combination of traditional and digital techniques according to a 2022 National Cartoonists Society survey. Independent publishing through platforms like Webtoon and Patreon has created viable career paths outside traditional media. Meanwhile, the explosion of content needs across social media, gaming, and streaming services has expanded demand for cartoon-style illustration beyond traditional niches. As AI tools emerge as both collaborators and competitors, tomorrow's successful cartoonists will likely be those who can adapt their unique human perspective and storytelling abilities to evolving technologies while maintaining their distinctive visual voice.
Junior Cartoonist Resume Example
Becca Thornfield
Seattle, WA | (206) 555-7182 | b.thornfield@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/beccathornfield
Junior cartoonist and illustrator with strong drafting skills and growing experience in digital animation. Skilled at creating character designs that convey emotion and personality with minimal lines. Graduated from Seattle Art Institute’s Illustration program and completed two internships where I refined my storyboarding techniques. Looking to bring my unique visual style and storytelling ability to a creative team.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Cartoonist – ZigZag Animation Studios, Seattle, WA (Nov 2022 – Present)
- Assist lead artists with character design refinements and background art for children’s animated series “Whisker Island”
- Create 3-5 character expression sheets weekly, maintaining consistency while showing emotional range
- Collaborate with 4-person team to develop storyboards for 11-minute episodes
- Redesigned 6 secondary characters that received positive feedback from both art director and test audiences
Animation Intern – Bluebubble Comics, Portland, OR (Jun 2022 – Aug 2022)
- Assisted with in-betweening animation for mobile game characters, completing 127 frames over 10-week period
- Shadowed senior cartoonists to learn efficient workflow processes and industry-standard software techniques
- Created concept sketches for background elements and props used in final game environments
Illustration Intern – Quirky Kids Magazine, Seattle, WA (Jan 2022 – May 2022)
- Designed and illustrated 8 spot illustrations for children’s magazine articles
- Collaborated with writers to conceptualize visuals that complemented educational content
- Participated in weekly editorial meetings to gain insight into publication timelines and requirements
- Created a recurring character for the “Science Corner” section that’s still in use today (a nerdy octopus named Professor Squiggles!)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration – Seattle Art Institute (Graduated Dec 2021)
- Focus on Character Design and Storytelling
- Senior project: 24-page original comic “The Peculiar Dreams of Penny Porter”
- Dean’s List: 6 quarters
Certificate in Digital Animation Fundamentals – Online Animation Workshop (Completed Mar 2022)
SKILLS
- Character design & development
- Digital illustration (Procreate, Photoshop)
- Storyboarding & sequential art
- Animation basics (Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate)
- Traditional drawing & inking
- Color theory & application
- Visual storytelling
- Comic layout & composition
- Concept sketching
- Caricature & simplified design
PORTFOLIO
Online portfolio available at: beccathornfield.com
Mid-level Cartoonist Resume Example
Olivia “Liv” Brennan
Portland, OR | (503) 555-7219 | livbrennancartoons@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/livbrennan
Character designer and storyboard artist with 5+ years of experience creating engaging visual narratives. Blend traditional hand-drawn techniques with digital tools to develop distinct art styles for various projects. Known for quick turnaround times while maintaining high-quality work—once completed 14 character designs in just 3 days for a rush project that went on to win a local animation award.
EXPERIENCE
Lead Cartoonist | Westside Animation Studios | Portland, OR | March 2022 – Present
- Create and refine character designs for 3 ongoing animated series, developing distinct visual styles that maintained consistency across 47 episodes
- Lead a team of 4 junior artists, providing mentorship and constructive feedback that improved team output by 31%
- Collaborate with writers and directors to translate scripts into storyboards, averaging 8-12 completed sequences per week
- Introduced new digital workflow techniques that cut revision time from 3 days to just 6 hours, saving the studio approximately $24,000 annually
Storyboard Artist | Pacific Northwest Comics | Seattle, WA | June 2020 – February 2022
- Produced storyboards for 2 comic series and 1 graphic novel, working closely with writers to visualize narratives
- Created character turnarounds and expression sheets for 16 main characters and 29 supporting characters
- Designed and illustrated backgrounds and environments that enhanced storytelling while maintaining artistic cohesion
- Pitched and developed an original 6-issue limited series that sold 17,500 copies in its first print run
Freelance Cartoonist | Self-employed | Portland, OR | January 2019 – June 2020
- Collaborated with 12+ clients on projects ranging from children’s book illustrations to marketing materials
- Created custom caricatures for events and parties (weddings, corporate functions, etc.)
- Developed an Instagram following of 12k+ followers by posting daily sketches and time-lapse drawing videos
- Designed and sold merchandise featuring original characters, generating ~$1,400 in monthly passive income
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Animation | Portland State University | Portland, OR | 2015-2019
- Graduated with honors (3.8 GPA)
- Senior thesis: “Evolution of Character Design in Western Animation” – received departmental recognition
- Co-founded student animation club that now has 75+ active members
Certificate in Digital Illustration | Concept Design Academy | Online | 2021
SKILLS
- Character Design & Development
- Storyboarding & Sequential Art
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Toon Boom Harmony & Storyboard Pro
- Procreate & Clip Studio Paint
- Traditional Media (Pencil, Ink, Watercolor)
- Visual Storytelling
- Art Direction
- Team Leadership
- Client Communication
PORTFOLIO & PROJECTS
Online Portfolio: livbrennan-art.com
- “Moonbeam Chronicles” – Character designer and storyboard artist for award-winning independent animated short
- “Whiskers & Tails” – Created 24 anthropomorphic animal characters for children’s educational series
- “Urban Legends” – Self-published webcomic with 7,000+ monthly readers
Senior / Experienced Cartoonist Resume Example
GARY THOMPSON
Los Angeles, CA | (213) 555-8921 | gthompson.cartoons@email.com
www.linkedin.com/in/garythompson-cartoonist | www.garythompsoncartoons.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Versatile cartoonist with over 10 years creating distinctive character designs and narrative sequences for animated series, comic publications, and digital media. Known for blending traditional hand-drawn techniques with digital innovation. My work has been featured in Animation Magazine and earned a 2019 Annie Award nomination for character design. Experienced team leader who’s guided junior artists through complex production schedules without missing deadlines.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Character Designer & Storyboard Artist | Sunburst Animation Studios, Los Angeles, CA | June 2019 – Present
- Lead a team of 7 artists on “Moonlight Chronicles,” developing the show’s distinctive visual style that contributed to a 31% increase in target demographic viewership
- Created 35+ original character designs that became merchandising successes, generating approximately $3.8M in licensing revenue
- Collaborated with writers to storyboard 83 episodes across 4 seasons, refining narrative pacing that earned the show a Daytime Emmy nomination
- Mentored 12 junior artists, with 4 being promoted to senior positions within the studio (my coffee-fueled feedback sessions are legendary around here)
- Streamlined production workflow by implementing digital asset management system that reduced revision cycles by 27%
Senior Cartoonist & Illustrator | Cosmic Comics, New York, NY | March 2015 – May 2019
- Illustrated 27 issues of “Urban Legends” monthly comic series, maintaining consistent character design while meeting all publication deadlines
- Redesigned 5 legacy characters for modern audience appeal, resulting in a 43% boost in title sales
- Created concept art and promotional illustrations for comic conventions and marketing campaigns that increased social media engagement by 62%
- Collaborated with colorists and letterers to develop unified visual language for 3 different comic titles
Freelance Cartoonist & Illustrator | Self-employed | January 2013 – March 2015
- Produced editorial cartoons for 3 regional newspapers on weekly basis, developing distinct style that led to syndication opportunities
- Illustrated 2 children’s books for Red Balloon Publishing that sold combined 14,000+ copies
- Created character designs and concept art for 2 indie game developers, one of which was successfully funded on Kickstarter ($124,532)
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Animation | California Institute of the Arts | 2012
Senior project “Detour” selected for screening at 4 student film festivals
Certificate in Digital Illustration | Gnomon School of Visual Effects | 2014
Toon Boom Harmony Master Class Certification | 2018
SKILLS
- Character Design & Development
- Storyboarding & Sequential Art
- Traditional Drawing (pen & ink, markers)
- Digital Illustration (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Animation Software (Toon Boom, Adobe Animate)
- Comic Book Production Pipeline
- Team Leadership & Artist Mentoring
- Visual Problem Solving
- Project Management & Deadline Adherence
- Client Communication & Presentation
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
- Annie Award Nomination, Outstanding Achievement in Character Design, 2019
- Featured Artist, Animation Magazine, September 2020 issue
- Guest Lecturer, Sequential Art Program, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2021
- Published “Line to Life: Character Design Fundamentals” instructional book, 2022
How to Write a Cartoonist Resume
Introduction
Getting noticed in the competitive world of cartooning isn't just about your portfolio anymore. A well-crafted resume can be the difference between landing that dream gig at Marvel or having your application lost in the shuffle. I've reviewed thousands of creative resumes over the years, and cartoonist resumes present unique challenges – you need to demonstrate both artistic talent and professional reliability. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that showcases your unique style while hitting all the professional marks hiring managers look for.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your cartoonist resume clean and scannable – just like a well-composed comic panel. Aim for 1-2 pages max (unless you're a 25-year industry veteran with credits longer than a comic book pull list).
- Choose a clean, readable font (Calibri, Arial, or Georgia work well)
- Use 10-12pt font size for body text, 14-16pt for headings
- Include plenty of white space – crowded resumes are hard to read
- Consider a splash of color in your section headers to showcase design sensibility
- Save as PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for .doc)
For layout, stick with reverse chronological format in most cases. If you're new to the field or transitioning from another career, a functional resume highlighting transferable skills might work better.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary is like the opening panel of a comic – it needs to grab attention immediately. In 3-4 sentences, capture your unique style, experience level, and what makes you special as a cartoonist.
Don't say "Talented cartoonist with a passion for storytelling." Instead, try something like: "Political cartoonist with 5+ years creating sharp-witted editorial illustrations for The Daily Tribune, known for quick turnarounds and capturing complex issues in single-panel formats."
Professional Experience
When listing experience, focus on results and specific projects rather than just duties. Freelancers – don't panic! List your self-employment as you would any other job.
- Include client names when possible (get permission first for private clients)
- Mention specific publications, characters, or series you've worked on
- Quantify where possible: "Delivered 3 weekly strips for 52 consecutive weeks, meeting 100% of deadlines"
- Highlight specialized techniques: "Created 24-page watercolor graphic novel using traditional brush techniques"
- Note any writing credits if you've developed storylines or dialogue
Education and Certifications
Formal art education is helpful but not always necessary in cartooning. Include relevant education, workshops, or mentorships. List your degree(s), certificate programs, or specialized training with dates and institutions. Mention notable instructors if they're industry recognized names (e.g., "Studied under Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jane Smith").
Portfolio and Technical Skills
Your resume should always include a link to your online portfolio – this is non-negotiable! Under technical skills, list software proficiency with specificity:
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Digital drawing tools (Wacom, iPad Pro with Procreate)
- Traditional media specialties (pen and ink, watercolor, etc.)
- Animation software if applicable (Toon Boom, After Effects)
- Comic layout and lettering tools (Clip Studio Paint, Comic Life)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger studios and publishers use Applicant Tracking Systems. Include industry-specific keywords from the job posting, such as:
- Sequential art
- Character design
- Storyboarding
- Panel layout
- Inking
- Visual storytelling
- Narrative development
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After reviewing hundreds of cartoonist resumes, these are the pitfalls I see most often:
- Focusing only on artistic skills and ignoring professional qualities (reliability, deadline management)
- Using overly creative formats that are hard to read or parse by ATS systems
- Including every single project you've ever worked on (curate your experience!)
- Forgetting to update portfolio links (nothing says "unprofessional" like a dead link)
- Omitting relevant unpublished work – personal projects still demonstrate skill
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for creating cartoons for local newspaper."
After: "Developed and illustrated 'City Beat,' a weekly satirical comic strip for The Morning Herald (circulation 87,000), capturing local political issues that increased reader engagement by 14% according to publisher metrics."
Remember, your resume is just one part of your application package. Pair it with a killer portfolio, thoughtful cover letter, and professional follow-up to maximize your chances of landing that dream cartooning gig!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Cartoonist resume
- Visual storytelling – translating complex ideas into accessible narratives that resonate with specific audiences
- Client relationship management, particularly handling feedback and revision requests without taking criticism personally
- Time awareness – juggling multiple deadlines while maintaining quality (saved a children’s book project that was 3 weeks behind schedule)
- Cross-functional collaboration with writers, editors, and marketing teams to align creative vision with business goals
- Adaptability to evolving style trends and technical tools without sacrificing personal artistic voice
- Mentorship of junior artists – created informal “sketch lunches” that improved team cohesion
Hard skills for your Cartoonist resume
- Adobe Animate CC for frame-by-frame animation and rigging
- Toon Boom Harmony pipeline integration
- Storyboarding with ToonBoom Storyboard Pro 7
- Procreate for iPad character development sketches
- After Effects puppet animation and compositing
- Traditional cell animation techniques (12 fps standard)
- Maya 3D for background modeling and scene layout
- Character lip-syncing to dialogue tracks
- TVPaint for frame-by-frame digital painting