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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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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).
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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.
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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
Thank you comment icon Hi Karen, I have removed you calendar link. For safety purposes, we do not allow contact information to be posted on the site. I hope you understand Gurpreet Lally, Admin
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James’s Answer

I would sale fine arts - visual arts kind of degree to narrow down and make your skillset better. :)
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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:

Jonathan recommends the following next steps:

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.
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