As traditional magazine outlets dwindle, magazine gag cartoonists face fewer editorial assignments and growing competition. But there's a silver lining: demand for skilled storyboard artists—particularly those adept at clear, expressive visuals—remains strong and rapidly growing across industries.
Storyboard Demand Is on the Rise
The global storyboarding software market was valued at around $1.97 billion in 2024, projected to reach $2.15 billion in 2025 and $3.02 billion by 2029 (9.2% CAGR). Other estimates forecast $2.93 billion in 2024 growing to $6.65 billion by 2034. These numbers highlight rising reliance on digital planning tools for film, animation, advertising, gaming, and more.
Why Storyboarding Fits Cartoonist Skills
Storyboard artists are increasingly in demand, with roles projected to grow about 5% from 2018 to 2028. Nearly 42% of filmmakers use storyboards in development, and over 72% produce detailed boards. Cartoonists’ skills in clarity, timing, exaggeration, and comedic framing translate perfectly.
Indie & Live-Action Productions Need Storyboards
In 2022, the U.S. produced 1,361 feature films, second only to India. Independent film is vast: while 76 million Americans express interest in indie films, only 36 million engage regularly, leaving a $40 million potential audience. Funders like ITVS have supported 1,400+ films, often diverse, grant-backed projects that rely on visual planning.
Opportunities for Cartoonists
- Indie Films & Live-Action: Low-budget, digitally enabled productions need expressive visuals.
- Animation Projects: Indie studios prize boards that communicate comedic beats.
- Advertising, Gaming, and Edu-tech: Storyboarding drives engaging narratives in commercials, games, and training content.
- Documentary & Public Media: Storyboards help secure grants and plan diverse, culturally rich projects.
How to Pivot Effectively
- Develop a storyboard portfolio—include samples for live-action and ads, not just cartoons.
- Learn digital tools like Storyboarder, Boords, or Canva.
- Network strategically—pitch indie filmmakers, attend festivals, contact grant-funded producers.
- Lean into your edge: comedy and clarity. Your gag sensibility makes boards instantly readable.
Conclusion
The magazine cartoon market may be shrinking, but visual storytelling opportunities are expanding fast. Indie films, animation, advertising, gaming, and digital media are hungry for storyboards that read quickly and clearly—with humor as a bonus. With the storyboarding market growing at nearly 10% annually, this is a promising new path for gag cartoonists ready to pivot.