Cartoonist Job Description Template
An effective description can help you hire the best fit for your job. Check out our tips to provide details that skilled professionals are looking for.
Tips for Writing a Cartoonist Job Description
A cartoonist is an artist who creates characters, comic strips,/or comics, primarily using drawings and illustrations made by hand or via computer software. Similar to graphic designers, cartoonists might use computer graphics software and other digital tools to develop characters and comic strips. Characters can also be developed for video games and other digital platforms, such as video shorts and GIFs.
Below, we will cover a sample job description, exploring the daily responsibilities and necessary qualifications for a cartoonist.
The Job Overview
We are seeking an artist to create cartoon versions of our products and our company executives. These cartoons will be used as part of our marketing campaign to better reach our audience. You are expected to be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Responsibilities
Below are some of the responsibilities a cartoonist is expected to assume in their position:
- Work with designers and animators to develop concepts
- Collaborate with other artists to create the final product
- Use available tools and software to develop and refine characters
- Work with other cartoonists and collaborate on character designs and development
- Conceptualize new characters based on client direction
- Finalize and ink all rough sketches
Job Qualifications and Skill Sets
Below are the qualifications expected of a cartoonist:
- High school graduate or have completed GED; associates or bachelor’s degree in fine arts or cartooning preferred
- Drawing skills
- Experience developing and creating finished cartoon characters across multiple genres
- Ability to convey humor or seriousness in drawings
- Ability to work in multiple formats, such as comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons, and graphic novels
- Track record working in a variety of media, such as ink, pencil, crayon, or digital
- Experience working in nontraditional forms, such as found photography or animation
Cartoonists you can meet on Upwork
- $75/hr$75 hourly
Nida N.
- 4.9
- (91 jobs)
Rawalpindi, PUNJABCartooning
Digital Marketing MaterialsCartoon ArtVector TracingBanner Ad DesignLogo DesignAdobe InDesign2D IllustrationStationery DesignCover Art DesignFlyer DesignCanvaGraphic DesignIllustrationT-Shirt DesignCharacter DesignI’m a Brand Identity & Marketing Graphic Designer (Print & Digital) specializing in Book Cover & Layout, Packaging & Label Design, and Illustration, with several years of experience delivering creative, effective design solutions tailored to client needs. I’m proficient in industry-standard tools including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, Figma, and Canva, and I also use AI-based tools when needed to enhance workflow efficiency, explore concepts, and support faster visual development. I consistently focus on producing high-quality, brand-aligned visuals that meet both aesthetic and functional goals. - $35/hr$35 hourly
Eloy S.
- 5.0
- (234 jobs)
Barcelona, CATALONIACartooning
Vector GraphicCartoon ArtDigital IllustrationCharacter Design2D IllustrationEditorial IllustrationChildren's Book IllustrationIllustration2D AnimationTechnical IllustrationAdobe After EffectsAdobe IllustratorComic ArtCaricatureMaxon Cinema 4DAdobe PhotoshopHi, my name is Eloy, I am an illustrator with knowledge of animation, 3d modeling and a lot of experience, I have worked for publishers as well as for national and international brands. I am creative and decisive, I try to offer the best options for each situation. I like that my works transmit emotion to those who see them. I have a wide variety of styles and resources and I have a perfect command of the Adobe toolkit. I like to communicate with clients to understand their needs and contribute my experience and knowledge to their projects - $55/hr$55 hourly
Remberto A.
- 4.8
- (233 jobs)
Medellin, MEDELLINCartooning
Animal IllustrationVideo EditingSticker DesignAnimationGraphic DesignCartoon ArtGame DesignIllustrationLogo Animation2D AnimationMotion GraphicsAnimated GIFCharacter DesignExplainer VideoAnimated ExplainerI’m a self-taught Product Animator and UI/UX Designer with over 8 years of professional experience bringing digital interfaces to life. Specializing in Rive Animation, I craft interactive, performance-driven motion that makes complex interactions feel intuitive and delightful. With a strong background in user-centered design and front-end development, I bridge the gap between concept and code—building prototypes that blend elegant visuals, strategic flows, and sustainable performance. More than a motion designer, I’m a hands-on creator. I love rolling up my sleeves to implement animations that not only look great but also enhance usability. My work has been showcased on Dribbble, Awwwards, and in community talks at MotionUI Meetup.
- $75/hr$75 hourly
Nida N.
- 4.9
- (91 jobs)
Rawalpindi, PUNJABCartooning
Digital Marketing MaterialsCartoon ArtVector TracingBanner Ad DesignLogo DesignAdobe InDesign2D IllustrationStationery DesignCover Art DesignFlyer DesignCanvaGraphic DesignIllustrationT-Shirt DesignCharacter DesignI’m a Brand Identity & Marketing Graphic Designer (Print & Digital) specializing in Book Cover & Layout, Packaging & Label Design, and Illustration, with several years of experience delivering creative, effective design solutions tailored to client needs. I’m proficient in industry-standard tools including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, Figma, and Canva, and I also use AI-based tools when needed to enhance workflow efficiency, explore concepts, and support faster visual development. I consistently focus on producing high-quality, brand-aligned visuals that meet both aesthetic and functional goals. - $35/hr$35 hourly
Eloy S.
- 5.0
- (234 jobs)
Barcelona, CATALONIACartooning
Vector GraphicCartoon ArtDigital IllustrationCharacter Design2D IllustrationEditorial IllustrationChildren's Book IllustrationIllustration2D AnimationTechnical IllustrationAdobe After EffectsAdobe IllustratorComic ArtCaricatureMaxon Cinema 4DAdobe PhotoshopHi, my name is Eloy, I am an illustrator with knowledge of animation, 3d modeling and a lot of experience, I have worked for publishers as well as for national and international brands. I am creative and decisive, I try to offer the best options for each situation. I like that my works transmit emotion to those who see them. I have a wide variety of styles and resources and I have a perfect command of the Adobe toolkit. I like to communicate with clients to understand their needs and contribute my experience and knowledge to their projects - $55/hr$55 hourly
Remberto A.
- 4.8
- (233 jobs)
Medellin, MEDELLINCartooning
Animal IllustrationVideo EditingSticker DesignAnimationGraphic DesignCartoon ArtGame DesignIllustrationLogo Animation2D AnimationMotion GraphicsAnimated GIFCharacter DesignExplainer VideoAnimated ExplainerI’m a self-taught Product Animator and UI/UX Designer with over 8 years of professional experience bringing digital interfaces to life. Specializing in Rive Animation, I craft interactive, performance-driven motion that makes complex interactions feel intuitive and delightful. With a strong background in user-centered design and front-end development, I bridge the gap between concept and code—building prototypes that blend elegant visuals, strategic flows, and sustainable performance. More than a motion designer, I’m a hands-on creator. I love rolling up my sleeves to implement animations that not only look great but also enhance usability. My work has been showcased on Dribbble, Awwwards, and in community talks at MotionUI Meetup. - $35/hr$35 hourly
Cayla C.
- 5.0
- (6 jobs)
Englewood, COCartooning
Cartoon ArtBlenderGame ArtDigital IllustrationComic ArtIllustrationChildren's Book IllustrationStorybookCharacter DesignConcept ArtistryProcreateHi there! My name is Cayla. I do concept art, character and environment design, portraiture, caricature, comic book illustration and storybook illustration. I've worked on several published children's books, game art assets, and trading card game art. I look forward to working with you! - $60/hr$60 hourly
Chris H.
- 5.0
- (100 jobs)
Philadelphia, PACartooning
Cartoon Character2D IllustrationChildren's Book IllustrationIllustrationRetro & Vintage StyleGUI DesignUser Interface DesignMobile UI DesignConstruct 3Game DesignGame DevelopmentPixel ArtCartoon ArtGame Art2D Game ArtI'm your one-stop shop for 2D game development from concept & GDD creation, to a full game delivery. I've created over 250 web games for clients to date, as well as a variety of desktop (Steam) and mobile (Android & iOS) titles - with a speciality in advergames! My clients have included solo-indie devs all the way up to Fortune 500 companies. Art Styles: Pixel Art, Vector Art, Retro Cartoon & Pinup Software: Adobe Suite, Affinity Suite, Aseprite, Resprite, Procreate, CSP Animation Software: Spine, Moho, Traditional Frame by Frame Game Engines / Frameworks: HTML5 Construct 3 , Godot - $45/hr$45 hourly
William D. M.
- 5.0
- (40 jobs)
Rising Fawn, GACartooning
Playful ToneBook CoverConcept DesignGraphic DesignPoster DesignCartoon ArtChildren's Book IllustrationDigital IllustrationDigital ArtDigital PaintingCharacter DesignIllustrationI create illustrations and cartoons. I've done billboards, logos, tee-shirts, cartoon panels and cartoon strips, picture book illustrations, product packaging, character design, game boards and game cards. I've done greeting and holiday cards, signs, banners and ads, photo retouch and screen print separations. And one very large wall mounted caveman for a karaoke bar. I work traditionally and digitally. I primarily use the Adobe Suite with the usual focus of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I like to paint with Corel's Painter and I also use CorelDraw. I am particularly interested in light humorous illustration and most prefer a painterly approach to silly characters. I like to provide sketches and comps throughout the creative process and am amenable to revisions and changes. I look forward to talking to you. - $35/hr$35 hourly
Nina S.
- 4.9
- (31 jobs)
Kremenchuk, POLTAVACartooning
Character IllustrationAcrylic PaintingAnimation for KidsCartoon ArtFashion IllustrationSketching2D DesignChildren's LiteratureTraditional IllustrationDigital IllustrationPattern IllustrationIllustrationWatercolorCharacter DesignAnimationHi, I’m Nina, a children’s book illustrator with 8 years of experience. 🎨 I create whimsical, unique characters and cozy, magical illustrations that bring stories to life. Every piece is custom-made to inspire young readers and make your story unforgettable. 💫✨ I have created illustrations for children’s books, comics, and educational materials for authors and publishers. SKILLS Digital Illustration: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Adobe InDesign Traditional Media: watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, ink, acrylic. What I Offer: ⭐️ Children’s Book Illustrations – Expressive characters and storytelling visuals. ⭐️ Book Formatting – Print-ready layouts for KDP & IngramSpark ⭐️ Illustrations – Custom illustration for books, games, animations and branding ⭐️ Workbooks & Activity Books – Fun and educational designs for learning materials ⭐️ Card & Board Game Art – Playful illustrations for interactive media ⭐️ Website & Branding Illustrations – Custom visuals, icons, and graphics for businesses ⭐️ Stickers with funny characters, magical elements, botanical illustrations, and animal illustrations. ⭐️ 2D Animation. I create 2D animation with fairy-tale characters for YouTube and games. Get in touch to explore the full version of the book, filled with delightful, heartwarming characters and a cozy atmosphere! - $40/hr$40 hourly
Martina M.
- 5.0
- (16 jobs)
Dublin, LCartooning
Cartoon ArtDigital IllustrationDrawingDigital PaintingGraphic DesignOrganic & Natural StyleChildren's Book IllustrationVector GraphicCharacter DesignSketchLogo DesignAdobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopPackaging DesignI'm an illustrator and graphic designer who can bring originality to your project. All of my designs start with sketching and the development of creative concept ideas. If you're looking for an illustrated logo, branding, character, packaging design, book cover, or any other type of illustrative project, I'll be happy to help. I always strive toward making the finished product distinctive and non-generic, no matter if it's a forthright or unconventional request. My expertise is free-hand digital and vector illustration, so I don't use stock images. Depending on your needs, I can adjust the style of illustrating, from minimalistic and clean drawings to artistic and sketchy ones. I am also skilled at using different techniques: watercolor, pencil, ink, oil... If you are looking for a unique design, feel free to reach me so we can realize your ideas! - $70/hr$70 hourly
Andres S. G.
- 5.0
- (67 jobs)
Amsterdam, NHCartooning
Book CoverMotion GraphicsCartoon ArtDigital IllustrationSocial Media ImageryColorful StyleChildren's Book IllustrationCharacter DesignIllustrationCartoon StyleAre you working on a children’s project designed to inspire, educate, or bring joy to young readers—but need a reliable visual partner to make it a reality? Translating a great text or brand vision into a finished, print-ready product can feel overwhelming. From maintaining character consistency across 30+ pages to ensuring technical print specifications are met, I’m here to make the creative process smooth, clear, and stress-free. I help authors, publishers, and children-focused brands turn their ideas into vibrant, positive visual experiences that truly connect with kids and parents. 💡 How I Solve Your Creative & Technical Challenges: -Children’s Books: I don't just draw—I help with visual storytelling, character design, and preparing 100% print-ready files (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, offset). -Educational & Editorial Content: Creating engaging, age-appropriate visuals that help children learn and absorb complex ideas naturally. 🤝 Why Clients Enjoy Working With Me: -Clear & Structured Process: From initial rough sketches and color palettes to final polish, you are involved at every milestone—no surprises. -Technical Precision: Clean vector and high-resolution digital files built to professional printing standards. -A Collaborative Partner: I take the time to deeply understand your mission, audience, and deadlines. Don't just take my word for it—feel free to read through my client reviews and portfolio case studies below to see how we’ve brought previous projects to life. Ready to turn your manuscript or idea into a published reality? Send me a message and let's talk about your project! Cheers, Andrés. Want to browse more talent?
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