Top 11 Designer Certifications

Certifications are important for designers in the job market because they show employers that the designer is knowledgeable and qualified to do the job. A certification demonstrates a certain level of expertise and mastery of a particular skill or area of design, which can give employers confidence in hiring a designer. Certifications also provide credibility to designers, as they represent a mark of excellence that potential employers can recognize. Finally, certifications can help designers stand out from other applicants by showcasing their qualifications and commitment to their craft.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Designers and explains how they can help to enhance a Designer's career.

What are Designer Certifications?

Designer certification is an industry-recognized way to demonstrate that a designer has the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality, effective designs. It involves passing an exam that tests a designer’s understanding of design principles, software tools, and best practices. By obtaining a designer certification, designers can prove their competency in the field and demonstrate to employers that they are qualified for certain positions or projects.

Having a designer certification can provide many benefits to designers. It can help them stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or freelance gigs. It also strengthens their professional credibility and gives them access to job opportunities they may not have had before. Additionally, having a certification shows potential employers that the designer is committed to their craft and serious about their career in design. Finally, it can open up new career opportunities such as teaching design courses or presenting at conferences.

Overall, obtaining a designer certification is an excellent way for designers to showcase their skills and advance their careers in the design industry.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the various certifications available and choose one that is recognized in the industry and has a good reputation. Many certifications have specific requirements or prerequisites, such as certain courses or years of experience, so make sure you understand what is required before signing up for a certification program.

Related: What does a Designer do?

Top 11 Designer Certifications

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

1. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) is a professional certification program offered by Adobe. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in using Adobe products and technologies.

To become an ACE, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge and skills with specific Adobe products or technologies. The exams are available online, and they typically take between 90 minutes and two hours to complete.

You can find the list of available ACE exams on the Adobe website. Each exam costs around $180 USD, but some may be cheaper depending on special offers or discounts.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you review the official study guide provided by Adobe as well as any additional resources such as tutorials, practice tests, and online courses. You should also have at least six months of hands-on experience with the product or technology being tested before taking the exam.

Once you pass an exam, you will receive an official certificate from Adobe confirming your status as an ACE. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your expertise to employers or clients and can help open up job opportunities in the creative industry.

2. Apple Certified Pro – Creative

Apple Certified Pro – Creative is a certification program offered by Apple to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in using Apple professional applications. It is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to create high-quality work in a variety of creative fields, such as video editing, music production, graphic design, and photography.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on lab assessment. The online exam tests your understanding of the fundamentals of each application covered in the program, while the hands-on lab assessment requires you to demonstrate your ability to use the tools within each application.

To get certified, you must first register for the program at Apple's website. Once registered, you will be able to access study materials and practice exams for each application covered in the program. After studying and preparing for the exams, you can then take them online or at an authorized testing center near you. Once both parts of the certification process are complete, you will receive your official Apple Certified Pro – Creative certification.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which applications you choose to be tested on; however, it typically costs around $300 USD per application.

3. Autodesk Certified User

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) is an official certification program from Autodesk that validates a user’s knowledge and skills in Autodesk software. It is designed for students, educators, and professionals who use Autodesk software to demonstrate their proficiency in the products.

It typically takes about 2-4 hours to complete the ACU exam, depending on the individual's experience with the specific Autodesk product. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and hands-on tasks that assess a user's ability to use the software tools.

To get certified as an Autodesk Certified User, you must first register for an online account with Autodesk Certification and purchase a voucher code for the specific product exam that you wish to take. Once you have purchased your voucher code, you can then schedule your exam at any authorized testing center near you.

The cost of taking an ACU exam varies depending on which product you are taking it for. Generally speaking, most exams cost around $100 USD.

4. Autodesk Certified Professional

Autodesk Certified Professional is a certification program for individuals who have demonstrated advanced proficiency in Autodesk software and technology. It is designed to recognize professionals who have gone above and beyond the basic training or certification to demonstrate their expertise in Autodesk software.

The certification process involves completing a series of tests that measure an individual’s knowledge and skills on a particular Autodesk product. The tests are administered online and can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete, depending on the product being tested.

In order to become an Autodesk Certified Professional, you must first meet the prerequisites for the certification. These prerequisites vary by product, but generally include having at least six months of experience using the product, as well as passing a written exam and completing a hands-on project. Once these requirements are met, you can then register for the exam and pay the associated fee. The cost of each exam varies depending on the product being tested, but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD.

Once you have passed all of the required exams, you will receive your official Autodesk Certified Professional certificate. This certificate is valid for two years from the date it was issued and must be renewed every two years in order to maintain your certification status.

5. UX Certification from Nielsen Norman Group

The UX Certification from Nielsen Norman Group is a certification program designed to help professionals build their knowledge and expertise in user experience (UX) design. The certification program consists of three core courses: Usability Fundamentals, Designing for Mobile, and Design Thinking. Each course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and best practices of UX design.

The course takes approximately 10 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s pace. It can be completed at any time, as it is self-paced. Participants are also given access to online resources such as videos, tutorials, and case studies to further enhance their learning experience.

To get certified, participants must complete all three courses within a year and pass an online exam at the end of each course. The cost of the program is $995 USD per person or $1,395 USD for two people taking the program together.

Upon successful completion of all three courses and exams, participants will receive a certificate from Nielsen Norman Group that recognizes their expertise in UX design. This certificate can be used to demonstrate professional proficiency in UX design to employers or clients.

6. International Web Association (IWA) Design Certificate

The International Web Association (IWA) Design Certificate is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in web design and development. The certificate is awarded to those who have successfully completed the IWA Design Certification Program, which consists of four courses covering topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Responsive Web Design.

In order to receive the IWA Design Certificate, applicants must complete all four courses within 12 months. Each course takes approximately 8 weeks to complete and requires that applicants pass an online assessment. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work in order to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts covered in the courses.

The cost of the IWA Design Certificate program varies depending on whether you are taking individual courses or enrolling in the full program. The cost for individual courses ranges from $199-$399 per course, while the cost for enrolling in the full program is $1,499.

Once all four courses have been completed and the portfolio has been submitted, applicants will be notified within two weeks if they have been approved for certification. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants will receive an official IWA Design Certificate as well as access to exclusive job opportunities and discounts on web design services.

7. W3C Web Design Professional Certificate

The W3C Web Design Professional Certificate is a certification program from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of web design principles and best practices. The certificate is awarded after completing a series of courses and passing an exam.

The courses are broken down into three levels: Level 1 focuses on the basics of web design, Level 2 covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and Level 3 covers more advanced topics such as accessibility, usability, and mobile-friendly design. Each level consists of several modules that must be completed in order to move onto the next level.

In total, it takes approximately 60 hours to complete all three levels. Once you have finished all the required courses and passed the exam, you will receive your W3C Web Design Professional Certificate.

The cost for the program is $1,500 USD. This includes access to all course materials as well as the exam fee.

8. CIW Web Design Specialist

CIW Web Design Specialist is a certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in web design. It is designed to help individuals establish a career in the field of web design and development.

The certification requires candidates to pass two exams: CIW Site Development Associate (1D0-610) and CIW Web Design Professional (1D0-520). The exams are administered by Pearson VUE, an international testing provider.

It typically takes about three months to complete the certification process, depending on how quickly you can prepare for the exams. To get started, you need to register for each exam with Pearson VUE and pay the associated fees. You will also need to purchase study materials from CIW or a third-party vendor. Once you have registered for the exams, you should begin studying for them using your study materials. When you feel ready, schedule your exam date with Pearson VUE and take the tests.

The cost of taking the CIW Web Design Specialist certification program varies based on where you purchase your study materials from and whether or not you use any additional resources such as tutoring services or practice tests. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$700 USD to become certified.

9. IxDA Interaction Design Professional Certification

IxDA Interaction Design Professional Certification is a professional certification program offered by the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). The program is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of interaction design. It is intended for professionals who are actively engaged in the field and have a minimum of two years of experience in the practice.

The IxDA Interaction Design Professional Certification consists of three components: a written exam, an online portfolio review, and a final interview. The written exam covers topics such as user research, visual design, information architecture, usability testing, prototyping, and project management. It takes approximately four hours to complete the written exam.

The online portfolio review requires applicants to submit their work samples which will be evaluated by experienced interaction designers. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to apply principles of interaction design when creating digital products or services.

Finally, applicants must pass a final interview with an IxDA representative to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. This interview typically lasts between 30 minutes to one hour.

In order to get certified as an IxDA Interaction Design Professional, individuals must successfully complete all three components of the certification program. The cost of the program depends on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD depending on location and other factors.

10. Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) Certification Program

The Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) Certification Program is an online certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to become a professional in the field of Human Computer Interaction. The program consists of five courses, each focusing on different aspects of Human Computer Interaction. These include: Introduction to Human Computer Interaction, Designing User Experiences, Usability Evaluation, Advanced Topics in HCI and Professional Practice in HCI.

The program typically takes around six months to complete and requires approximately 300 hours of study time. To get certified, applicants must pass all five courses and submit a portfolio demonstrating their proficiency in the subject matter. The cost for the HCII Certification Program is $2,500 USD.

11. Graphic Design Certifications from American Graphics Institute

Graphic Design Certifications from American Graphics Institute are professional certifications that demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skill in graphic design. These certifications are offered through online courses, self-paced learning, and instructor-led classes.

The certification program is divided into three levels: Certified Graphic Designer (CGD), Advanced Certified Graphic Designer (ACGD), and Master Certified Graphic Designer (MCGD). Each level requires a different number of hours of coursework and a passing score on the certification exam.

To become certified at any level, individuals must complete the required coursework and pass the certification exam. Coursework can be completed either online or in-person at one of American Graphics Institute’s training centers located throughout the United States. The cost of each course varies depending on the type of course and the length of time needed to complete it.

Once all coursework has been completed and the certification exam has been passed, individuals will receive their official certificate from American Graphics Institute. This certificate will be valid for two years before needing to be renewed. Renewal fees may apply depending on the type of certification held.

Do You Really Need a Designer Certificate?

Whether or not you need a designer certificate depends on your individual career goals and the industry you’re hoping to work in. If you’re looking to work in a field that requires certification, such as web design, then it is important to have a designer certificate. This type of certification can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the role.

In some industries, having a designer certificate may also give you an edge over other applicants who don’t have one. It can show employers that you are committed to continuing your education and gaining new skills, which can make you more attractive than someone without a certificate. Depending on the type of job you are applying for, it may also be helpful if the employer sees that you have completed relevant coursework or certifications related to design.

However, if your goal is simply to become proficient in design techniques then a designer certificate may not be necessary. You can still learn the same skills and techniques by taking online courses or tutorials and practicing independently. Some people even find success by creating their own portfolios or websites showcasing their designs and abilities without any formal certifications.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a designer certificate will depend on what kind of career path you are pursuing and what type of industry it is in. If it is an industry where certification is required or highly recommended then getting certified will likely help your success rate when applying for jobs. On the other hand, if certification isn’t necessary then there are still other ways to gain experience and build up your portfolio without one.

Related: Designer Resume Examples

FAQs About Designer Certifications

Q1: What is a Designer Certification?

A1: A designer certification is an official recognition of a designer’s knowledge, skill and experience in the field. It typically requires passing an exam or completing a portfolio of work to demonstrate their proficiency in their chosen area of design.

Q2: What are the benefits of having a Designer Certification?

A2: Having a designer certification can help designers stand out from the competition and prove their expertise to potential employers, clients and colleagues. It can also give them access to industry networks and resources that can help them advance their careers.

Q3: How do I earn a Designer Certification?

A3: Earning a designer certification usually involves passing an exam or completing a portfolio of work that demonstrates your proficiency in your chosen area of design. Depending on the type of certification you are seeking, there may be additional requirements such as attending workshops or classes, submitting projects for review by experts, or completing other types of assignments.

Q4: Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as a designer?

A4: Most certifications require some level of prior knowledge and experience in the field, although this will vary depending on the specific type of certification you are pursuing. Some certifications also require applicants to complete certain courses or workshops before they can take the exam or submit their portfolios for review.

Q5: Are there any costs associated with obtaining a Designer Certification?

A5: Yes, most certifications have associated fees that must be paid in order to take the exam or submit portfolios for review. These fees may vary depending on the type and level of certification being pursued.