Top 10 Design Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for a design consultant in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Certifications provide potential employers with an assurance that the consultant has achieved a certain standard of proficiency, which can help them stand out from other applicants. Additionally, certifications can help consultants build their professional network and increase their visibility to potential employers. Finally, certifications may be required by some employers in order for an individual to qualify for certain positions or receive higher pay for their services.

This article reviews the best certifications for Design Consultants and explains how they can help design consultants advance their careers.

What are Design Consultant Certifications?

Design consultant certification is a specialized form of professional certification that recognizes an individual’s expertise in a particular area of design. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their qualifications and experience in the field, as well as validate their knowledge and skills.

Design consultant certification can provide several key benefits to those who have obtained it. For starters, it provides a sense of credibility and recognition that can help open the door to new opportunities. It also serves as proof of competency in the field and can be used to demonstrate technical proficiency on job applications or when applying for promotions. Additionally, certification can provide access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities, helping professionals stay up-to-date with industry trends and connect with other experienced practitioners. Finally, certified professionals may enjoy higher salaries than non-certified individuals due to the additional qualifications they possess.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a design consultant certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Look into the types of courses offered, the length of the program, and any applicable fees. Additionally, check to see if there are any prerequisites or additional certifications that may be required in order to complete the program.

Related: What does a Design Consultant do?

Top 10 Design Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Design Consultants today.

1. Certified Professional in Design Strategy (CPDS)

Certified Professional in Design Strategy (CPDS) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful design strategists. CPDS is offered by the Association of Professional Designers (APD).

The CPDS program consists of three courses: Introduction to Design Strategy, Advanced Design Strategy, and Design Strategy for Business. Each course takes approximately 10 weeks to complete and requires about 12 hours of study per week. The courses are self-paced and can be taken online or in person.

To get certified, applicants must pass all three courses with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion, applicants will receive their CPDS certificate from APD.

The cost for the CPDS program varies depending on the number of courses taken and whether they are taken online or in person. Generally, the total cost ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

2. Certified User Experience Designer (CUXD)

Certified User Experience Designer (CUXD) is a certification program offered by the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in user experience design. The certification demonstrates that an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to create successful user experiences.

The certification process consists of three parts: a written exam, an online portfolio review, and a live interview. The written exam covers topics such as UX research methods, UX design principles, usability testing, and more. The online portfolio review requires applicants to submit examples of their work for evaluation by UXPA members. Finally, the live interview is conducted by two or more UXPA members and focuses on the applicant's experience and understanding of user experience design.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all three parts of the certification process. During this time, it is important for applicants to stay up-to-date with current trends in user experience design and continue building their portfolios.

The cost of obtaining the Certified User Experience Designer (CUXD) certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of UXPA. For members, the cost is $500 USD; for non-members, it is $750 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and resources as well as administration fees associated with taking the exams and submitting your portfolio for review.

3. Certified Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP)

Certified Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP) is a certification program that provides practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and experience to become proficient in design thinking. The program focuses on the five core elements of design thinking: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. It also covers the fundamentals of user-centered design and how to apply them in various contexts.

The CDTP certification requires completion of an online course that takes approximately 30 hours to complete. The course includes lectures, videos, case studies, and hands-on activities to help participants develop their design thinking skills. The cost of the certification is $995 USD.

To become certified as a Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP), individuals must first complete the online course and pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their CDTP certificate from the International Association for Design Thinking (IADT).

4. Certified Product Designer (CPD)

Certified Product Designer (CPD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills and experience of experienced product designers. It is offered by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

The CPD certification process involves completing a comprehensive application, passing an exam, and completing a portfolio review. The exam covers topics such as design theory, design research, product development processes, ergonomics, materials selection, manufacturing processes, prototyping methods, safety considerations, sustainability principles and more. Upon successful completion of all requirements for certification, the individual can use the CPD designation after their name.

The cost of the CPD certification varies depending on the type of membership you have with IDSA. For non-members it costs $495 USD; for members it costs $395 USD; for student members it costs $295 USD; and for retired members it costs $95 USD.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to complete the entire process from start to finish. To get started on your CPD journey you will need to submit an application form which can be found on IDSA’s website. Once your application is approved you will be sent an email with instructions on how to register for the exam and begin preparing your portfolio.

5. Certified Graphic Designer (CGD)

Certified Graphic Designer (CGD) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise and experience of graphic designers. It is administered by the Professional Association of Designers (PAD), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in design.

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in design principles, software tools, and industry standards. The CGD certification requires applicants to pass an exam which tests their knowledge of design concepts, software tools, and industry standards. Applicants must also provide evidence of at least two years of professional experience as a graphic designer.

The process typically takes 3-6 months to complete depending on the applicant's experience level and availability. To get started, applicants must register with PAD and pay the application fee ($395 USD). Once approved, applicants will receive their study materials which include an online course and access to practice exams. Finally, after passing the exam with a minimum score of 75%, applicants will receive their CGD certificate from PAD.

The cost for the entire process is $395 USD for registration plus any additional fees incurred for taking the exam or purchasing study materials.

6. Certified Interior Designer (CID)

Certified Interior Designer (CID) is a professional designation given to interior designers who have met the qualifications established by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). This certification is recognized in many states as a requirement for practicing interior design.

The process of becoming a CID requires applicants to pass an exam and complete a portfolio review. The exam consists of two parts: the NCIDQ Exam and the Practicum Exam. The NCIDQ Exam tests knowledge of building codes, construction materials, and other aspects of interior design. The Practicum Exam assesses an applicant’s ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

In order to be eligible to take the exams, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have completed at least six years of interior design education or equivalent experience in related fields such as architecture or engineering. They must also have at least two years of professional experience in interior design, including at least one year working under the supervision of a licensed/registered architect or designer.

The cost for taking both exams is $1,200 plus any applicable taxes and fees. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $150 for maintaining your CID certification.

7. Certified Web Designer (CWD)

Certified Web Designer (CWD) is a certification program offered by the International Webmasters Association (IWA). It is designed to recognize web designers who have achieved a high level of technical proficiency and expertise in web design.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, accessibility, usability, and design principles. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken online or at an IWA-approved test center.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, it costs $150 USD for members of IWA and $200 USD for non-members. Other countries may have different pricing structures.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CWD certificate from IWA. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking a recertification exam every three years.

8. Certified Industrial Designer (CID)

A Certified Industrial Designer (CID) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual who has demonstrated mastery of the principles and practices of industrial design. The certification is administered by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and requires completion of a rigorous program of study, including coursework in product design, ergonomics, materials technology, engineering, and marketing.

To become certified as a CID, an individual must have completed at least two years of college-level coursework in industrial design or related fields. Additionally, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam administered by IDSA which covers topics such as product development process, ergonomics, materials technology, engineering fundamentals, and marketing. Once certified, CIDs must complete continuing education requirements to maintain their certification.

The cost to become certified as a CID varies depending on the applicant's educational background and experience level. Generally speaking, the cost for application fees and exam fees can range from $500 to $1,000 USD.

In addition to the costs associated with becoming certified as a CID, individuals should also plan for additional expenses such as travel costs for attending conferences or seminars related to industrial design or related fields.

9. Certified Fashion Designer (CFD)

Certified Fashion Designer (CFD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize fashion designers who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field. The certification is awarded by the International Foundation of Fashion Designers (IFFD), an international organization that sets standards and provides education and training for fashion designers around the world.

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as design principles, garment construction, patternmaking, fabric selection, product development, and marketing. Applicants must also pass a written exam and submit a portfolio of their work.

The process typically takes six months to complete. During this time, applicants will need to complete coursework and take the written exam. After passing the exam, applicants will then need to submit their portfolio for review by IFFD’s board of directors. Once approved, they will be awarded with their CFD certification.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the program chosen by the applicant. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1000 USD to become certified as a CFD.

10. Certified Building Information Modeling Professional (BIM Pro)

Certified Building Information Modeling Professional (BIM Pro) is a certification program offered by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a certain level of proficiency in the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. The certification demonstrates that the individual has an understanding of how BIM can be used to improve project outcomes, as well as an ability to effectively utilize BIM tools and techniques.

To become certified, applicants must first pass an online exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of BIM principles and best practices. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Once the exam is passed, applicants must then complete a one-day training course on BIM fundamentals, which covers topics such as model setup, data management, visualization, collaboration, and analysis. Upon successful completion of both the exam and training course, applicants will receive their Certified BIM Pro certificate.

The cost for the Certified BIM Pro program varies depending on whether you are taking the online exam or attending a live training course. For individuals taking the online exam only, it costs $350 USD; for those attending a live training course in addition to taking the online exam, it costs $550 USD.

Do You Really Need a Design Consultant Certificate?

A design consultant certificate is not a requirement for most design consulting jobs, so the answer to this question depends on your specific career goals. If you are looking to become a professional design consultant, or if you want to increase your chances of landing a job in the field, then obtaining a design consultant certificate can be beneficial.

Having a design consultant certificate demonstrates that you have received specialized training and knowledge related to the field. This makes you more attractive to potential employers who may be looking for someone with expertise in the subject matter. It also indicates that you are committed to your career path and have taken the initiative to pursue it further.

In addition, having a design consultant certificate can also open up opportunities for continuing education and professional development in the field. Many employers prefer candidates who have taken additional courses or participated in workshops related to their profession. Having a certification may make it easier for you to find such opportunities and stay up-to-date on current trends and industry developments.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a design consultant certificate will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. If gaining certification is necessary for achieving your desired career outcomes, then it may be worth considering this option. However, if it is not necessary for reaching your goals, then it may not be necessary at all.

Related: Design Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Design Consultant Certifications

Q1. What is a Design Consultant Certification?

A1. A Design Consultant Certification is a qualification that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills required to provide professional design services. It is typically awarded by an accredited institution or professional organization after the successful completion of a formal program that includes coursework, exams, and/or practical experience.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Design Consultant?

A2. To become certified as a Design Consultant, you will first need to meet any prerequisites set by the certifying body such as completing certain courses or having a certain amount of industry experience. You will then have to pass an examination in order to receive your certification.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified as a Design Consultant?

A3. The length of time it takes to become certified as a Design Consultant depends on the certifying body and their requirements for certification. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years depending on how much prior education and experience you have in the design field.

Q4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Design Consultant?

A4: Becoming certified as a Design Consultant can help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs in the design field, and can also lead to increased pay and career opportunities due to your specialized knowledge and expertise in design consulting services.

Q5. How much does it cost to become certified as a Design Consultant?

A5: The cost of becoming certified as a Design Consultant varies depending on the certifying body, but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD for course materials, exams fees, and other associated costs.