The Cartoon Institute

Want to learn cartooning?

You can be a cartoonist!

Open any newspaper or magazine, and you'll find cartoons. They're everywhere, from greeting cards to packaging, and even in TV commercials. The most prestigious of banks use them. And some become expensive works of art, like Gerald Scarfe's.

Why is cartooning so popular? Perhaps because cartoons make people smile. Perhaps because they put over a message in a succinct manner. Or perhaps because people find them endearing.

Whatever the reason, cartoons are a particular form of dry wit, and they reveal a lot about the cartoonist's wicked sense of fun.

Wouldn't you like to be a cartoonist?

Cartooning won't make you a millionaire. But if you've got a sense of humour, the world is waiting for you. You can get published, become famous, and get invited to great parties. You can win admiration, prizes and envy.

But never mind all that philosophising. You can also make money from cartoons - with a little help from us at the Institute!

Just one cartoon can earn you £90 ($160) from a national newspaper - Wouldn't you like that sort of money for using your natural skills?

Who becomes a cartoonist?

All kinds of people get into cartooning. We've taught people from 9 to 76. Our learners have been unemployed, managers, teachers, retired people, housewives - everyone.

You need a sense of fun. You probably make jokes. And you probably see the lighter side in things. Not all the time, of course. Many of the greatest cartoonists have a bleak outlook on life. Some are us are 100% certified manic depressives!

Many of our learners have let their drawing skills lie dormant due to the time constraints of work and family, and some see the course as a way to fulfil their drawing urges without pressure.

About the course

'You can be a cartoonist' is a fun-filled course for anyone who wants to be a cartoonist. The course helps you to develop your own style of drawing. It increases your abilities, helps you create original ideas, and get published.

You don't need any formal art training or special drawing skills. The course is for complete beginners and also for those wanting to develop their skills. There are lots of practical exercises, tips and advice, and ten tutor-marked assignments.

As an essential ingredient of the course, you receive personal tuition from a successful, professional cartoonist.

You'll learn how to draw comic strips, caricatures, and how to produce a strip-cartoon and illustrations.

Your fail-safe guarantees

Most students recoup their investment on their very first assignment. But if you're in any way dissatisfied with the course, return it within twenty-one days, and we'll refund your fees in full.

And if you haven't earned more than the cost of the course within three months of finishing the course, we'll also refund your money. You've nothing to lose.

When you complete the course

Once you complete the course, you'll receive your Diploma, which is a recognition of your skills and knowledge. We also send information about your success to your local newspapers. That's a good way of telling potential clients about your availability. We'll also put your name on our list of Approved Cartoonists. And if you register with the Institute you can get continuing help after the course.

Your Qualification

Students who satisfactorily complete the course are awarded the Diploma in Cartooning, and are entitled to use the letters Dip.Cart. (Cart. Inst).

The students also receive the Diploma certificate. They are also eligible to register with The Cartoon Institute, and use its services.

NCFE Level 3 Accreditation

Our course is fully accredited by the national awarding body NCFE, and on completing it you get a national award equivalent to Level 3 of the National Learning Framework (A level standard).

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

To read more about NCFE please go to www.ncfe.org.uk

About the Institute

The Institute's tutors are full-time cartoonists, who bring their on-the-job experience to the course. You'll get advice directly from active practitioners - not armchair theorists.

The Institute is wholly financed by its members, from its courses and subscriptions, and from lectures and published material. It serves to bring together all kinds of cartoonists, both novices and long-standing experts.

What you'll learn from this course

• A thorough knowledge of cartooning techniques, and how to apply them in your work

• How to produce your own 'file bank' from which you can source humorous situations, gags or characters for your cartoons

• Locate possible markets and buyers of your cartoon work

• How to increase your chances of being published, and get paid for your work.

It's time to get started

Having read this far, you've got what it takes - motivation. Fill out the enrolment form now, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin. It's easy to start:

1. To register online (or by mail), click here . If you need help or information, write or phone the Institute. Post the form and payment to us.

2. We'll ship the full course materials within five days.

3. When you get the course, read the first module. It's laid out in an easy-to-follow format. Then do the first assignment. Send it to your tutor for assessment. Your tutor will return it to you with friendly advice and comments.

4. Do the same for the other modules, until you reach the end of the course. By then, you'll probably be earning good money as a cartoonist.

We look forward to helping you succeed.