Ever Heard of a Career in Comics? This Indian Artist is Living It at California College of the Arts
“Comics mein career? Seriously?”
For most people in India, that question ends with a laugh. But for Avijit Singh, it has become reality. The Delhi-based artist is currently pursuing the prestigious Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Comics at California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco — the world’s first and only dedicated MFA program in comics.
While India has produced legendary comic creators, formal education in the medium has remained almost non-existent. CCA’s low-residency MFA in Comics is changing that for artists across the globe, including Indians who never thought a structured, professional path in comics was possible.
Speaking from the U.S., Avijit Singh shared, “In India we have immense talent but barely any institution that teaches comics as a serious discipline. CCA’s program not only treats comics as high art, it prepares you to step straight into the global industry.”
What makes the program revolutionary is its hybrid structure: students spend just one intensive month (July) on campus in San Francisco, and the rest of the year they work remotely from anywhere in the world. “I can pace my projects, balance life, and still get world-class mentorship,” Avijit says.
Students also serve as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), gaining real classroom experience. “Teaching forces you to articulate your process. It turns you from just an artist into an educator and communicator — skills every professional needs,” he adds.
Perhaps the biggest advantage? Networking. Students interact with top industry names, publishers, and fellow creators from around the world. “The feedback and connections I’m building here are shaping my career in ways no self-taught journey ever could,” Avijit says.
For him, comics are no longer just entertainment. “Comics are one of the most powerful ways to talk about society, identity, and change. This program has given me the tools and confidence to say exactly what I want to say — and get heard.”
With applications now open for the next cohort, CCA’s MFA in Comics is emerging as a game-changer for Indian talent dreaming of turning their love for sequential art into a sustainable, respected career.
Who said superheroes only exist in capes? Sometimes they’re the ones drawing the panels.
