Top 10 Design Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a design manager’s job market success. They demonstrate to potential employers that the candidate has taken the time and effort to learn specialized skills in their field, as well as a commitment to professional development. Certifications can also help distinguish a design manager from other applicants and give them an edge over the competition when it comes to hiring decisions. Additionally, certifications can provide credibility and recognition for the individual's expertise, leading to better opportunities for career advancement.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Design Managers and explain how they can help further a design manager's career.

What are Design Manager Certifications?

Design Manager Certification is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Professional Design Management (APDM) that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in design management. Design Managers are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of design projects, managing the overall design process and ensuring that all stakeholders’ requirements are met.

Design Manager Certification provides recognition to those who have demonstrated their knowledge and abilities in managing all aspects of the design process. This includes budgeting, scheduling, vendor selection, risk management, resource allocation, communication with clients and stakeholders, and other areas. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in design management and stand out from other candidates when applying for positions in the industry.

In addition to demonstrating expertise in design management, Design Manager Certification also provides many practical benefits such as access to exclusive resources from APDM including training materials and webinars, discounted rates on APDM events, networking opportunities with peers in the field, career support services such as job search coaching and resume reviews, as well as discounts on products related to design management. Furthermore, certified Design Managers can showcase their credentials on their resumes or portfolios which may give them an edge over other applicants when competing for jobs or promotions within their current organization.

Pro Tip: When considering a design manager certification, make sure to research the accreditation of the program and the certifying organization. Look for programs with a history of success and a good reputation in the industry. Be sure to review course materials and requirements to find out if the certification will be beneficial for your career goals.

Related: What does a Design Manager do?

Top 10 Design Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Design Manager (CDM)

Certified Design Manager (CDM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). It is designed to recognize and elevate the skills and knowledge of experienced interior design professionals.

The CDM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as project management, client relations, design process and methodology, business operations, finance, marketing, and legal considerations. The in-person exam tests your knowledge of the material from the online course.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the CDM program. To get started, you must first register for the program through IIDA's website. After registering, you will receive access to the online course materials which can be completed at your own pace. Once you have finished all of the coursework, you can then schedule your in-person exam with IIDA.

The cost of obtaining a Certified Design Manager certification varies depending on whether or not you are an IIDA member. For non-members, it costs $1,200 USD to take part in the program while members pay only $800 USD.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification that recognizes professionals who have the knowledge and skills to act as a product owner on a Scrum team. It is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Scrum methodology.

The CSPO certification requires participants to attend an in-person two-day course led by an authorized instructor. The course covers topics such as understanding the role of the product owner, working with stakeholders, creating user stories, managing backlogs, and more. Participants must pass an exam at the end of the course in order to receive their certification.

The cost of attending a CSPO training course varies depending on location and instructor. In general, courses range from $1,000 - $2,000 USD for two days of instruction.

Once certified, CSPOs are eligible for membership in the Scrum Alliance and receive access to exclusive resources such as webinars and online forums. They can also use their certification to demonstrate their commitment to agile principles and Scrum methodology when applying for jobs or promotions.

3. Certified Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP)

Certified Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to become an effective design thinking practitioner. The certification is offered by the International Association of Design Thinking Professionals (IADTP). It is designed for professionals who want to develop their design thinking skills and apply them in their work.

The CDTP certification requires completion of a two-day online course, which covers topics such as understanding customer needs, developing creative solutions, prototyping and testing, and leading design teams. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment to receive their certificate.

The cost of the CDTP certification varies depending on whether you take the online course or attend a workshop in person. The online course costs $1,499 USD while attending a workshop in person can cost up to $2,999 USD.

Overall, getting certified as a Certified Design Thinking Practitioner (CDTP) takes approximately two days and can cost anywhere from $1,499-$2,999 USD.

4. Certified User Experience Professional (CXPRO)

Certified User Experience Professional (CXPRO) is an internationally recognized certification program for professionals working in the field of user experience design. It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of user experience, from research and analysis to design and implementation. The certification is offered by the International Board of Standards for User Experience Professionals (IBUX).

The CXPRO certification requires applicants to have at least three years of professional experience in the field of user experience. Applicants must also pass a written exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions based on the topics covered in the IBUX curriculum. The exam can be taken either online or in-person at an approved testing center.

To get certified, applicants must first register with IBUX and pay a fee of $499 USD. After registration, they will receive access to the online course material, which includes lectures, readings, and practice exams. Once they complete the course material, they can then take the written exam. Upon passing the exam, applicants will receive their CXPRO certificate and digital badge.

The entire process typically takes between four to six months to complete depending on how quickly you are able to study and complete the course material.

5. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of agile product management. It is offered by the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile).

The CAPM certification is designed for product managers, project managers, business analysts, and other professionals involved in the development of products or services using an agile approach. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of agile product management.

The CAPM certification requires a minimum of 21 hours of training and can be completed in as little as three days. The training covers topics such as agile frameworks, user stories, backlogs, sprint planning, release planning, product roadmaps, customer feedback loops, and more.

To get the CAPM certification you must pass an exam administered by ICAgile. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes two hours to complete. The exam fee is $395 USD.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive your Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) certificate from ICAgile which is valid for three years.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to demonstrate proficiency in project management. The PMP certification is one of the most sought after credentials in the field of project management and is recognized worldwide.

To become a PMP, you must have a minimum of three years of project management experience and 7,500 hours leading and directing projects. You must also complete 35 hours of formal education in project management.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The cost for taking the exam is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

In order to maintain your certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through various activities such as attending workshops or conferences, teaching courses, or writing articles related to project management.

7. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful project managers. The CAPM certification provides recognition of an individual's understanding of the fundamentals of project management.

The CAPM certification requires completion of a three-hour exam, which covers topics such as project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closing. The exam is composed of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be taken at an approved testing center. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) plus 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education completed within five years prior to taking the exam.

It typically takes around six weeks for individuals to prepare for the CAPM exam. Preparation usually involves studying relevant materials such as textbooks, practice exams, and online courses.

The cost for taking the CAPM exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $225 - $300 USD.

8. Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

The Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) is a professional certification program administered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of learning and performance.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having a minimum of three years of experience in the field, completing an approved training program or coursework, and passing an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as instructional design, performance improvement, and evaluation.

It typically takes between six months to two years to prepare for the exam. Those interested should begin by researching ATD’s CPLP study materials and preparing for the exam using those materials. Additionally, there are several online courses available to help candidates prepare for the exam.

The cost of obtaining the CPLP certification varies depending on whether you choose to take an ATD-approved training program or self-study with ATD’s study materials. The fee for taking an approved training program ranges from $2,500-$3,000 while self-studying with ATD’s study materials costs around $1,000. Additionally, there is a $395 application fee that must be paid when submitting your application for certification.

9. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to apply Lean Six Sigma principles to improve business processes. It is designed for professionals who want to become proficient in the use of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques to drive process improvement initiatives.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on the provider. The program consists of online training modules, as well as an exam at the end of the course. To get certified, participants must pass an online assessment or exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and can range from $1,000-$3,000 USD. Some providers offer discounts for groups or organizations that register multiple people for the program.

In addition to completing the online training modules and passing an exam, some providers may require additional requirements such as completing a project or submitting evidence of prior experience in process improvement initiatives.

10. International Association of Business Analysts Certification

The International Association of Business Analysts (IABA) Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the expertise and knowledge of business analysts in the field of business analysis. It is designed to ensure that those who possess the certification have demonstrated their ability to effectively analyze, design, and implement solutions to organizational problems.

The IABA Certification is divided into three levels: Certified Associate in Business Analysis (CABA), Certified Professional in Business Analysis (CPBA), and Certified Master in Business Analysis (CMBA). To obtain any of these certifications, applicants must pass an exam administered by the IABA.

The CABA certification requires a minimum of two years' experience in business analysis and takes approximately four months to complete. The CPBA requires a minimum of five years' experience and takes six months to complete. The CMBA requires a minimum of eight years' experience and takes nine months to complete.

To get certified, applicants must first register for an exam with the IABA. They will then be required to pay an exam fee which varies depending on the level they are applying for. For example, the fee for the CABA exam is $395 USD while the fee for the CPBA exam is $495 USD. Once registered, applicants will need to prepare for their exams by studying relevant materials provided by IABA or taking online courses offered by third-party providers such as Udemy or Coursera.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants can take their exams at one of IABA's authorized testing centers located throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and Middle East regions. After passing their exams, applicants will receive their official certificates from IABA within four weeks after completion of their exams.

Overall, obtaining an IABA Certification can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise in business analysis and give you an edge over other job candidates when applying for positions in this field.

Do You Really Need a Design Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. A design manager certificate is not required to become a successful design manager, although it can be beneficial in some cases.

For those who are already experienced in the field of design management and want to further their knowledge and skills, a design manager certificate can be a great way to do so. It provides an opportunity to learn about the latest best practices in the industry and gain the necessary credentials that will help you stand out among other applicants for job opportunities. The certificate also demonstrates your commitment to professional development and may give you an edge when competing with others for positions.

However, depending on your career goals and current experience level, obtaining a design manager certificate may not be necessary. If you are just starting out in the field or have limited experience as a design manager, gaining hands-on experience through internships or working with mentors may be more beneficial than investing time and money into obtaining a certificate. Furthermore, if you have been working as a design manager for some time now and have been successful without any formal training, then there may not be much benefit in getting certified.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual designer or aspiring design manager to decide whether or not obtaining a design manager certificate would benefit them in their career path. It is important to consider your current experience level as well as your long-term goals before making this decision.

Related: Design Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Design Manager Certifications

1. What certifications are available through Design Manager?

Answer: Design Manager offers two professional certifications: Certified Design Manager (CDM) and Certified Digital Product Designer (CDPD).

2. How do I become certified as a Design Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Design Manager, you must successfully complete the Certified Design Manager Certification Program offered by Design Manager. This includes passing an online exam and completing a project to demonstrate your knowledge of design management fundamentals.

3. What topics will be covered during the certification program?

Answer: The certification program covers topics such as design strategy, project management, client relations, team leadership, budgeting, and more.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The program typically takes 3-6 months to complete depending on your availability and level of experience.

5. Is there an application fee for the certification program?

Answer: Yes, there is an application fee which must be paid before starting the certification program.