Top 10 Digital Artist Certifications

Certifications demonstrate that a digital artist has the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully complete tasks in their field. They provide employers with evidence that the applicant is qualified for the job, and can be used to validate an artist's experience and technical expertise. Certifications also offer proof of continuing education, which is important in an ever-changing industry. In addition, they can help digital artists stand out in a competitive job market as they demonstrate mastery of certain tools and techniques.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Digital Artists, and explains how they can help contribute to a digital artist's career.

What are Digital Artist Certifications?

Digital artist certification is a form of professional recognition for digital artists. It serves as a way to validate the skills, knowledge, and experience of digital artists in their respective field. Digital artist certification programs are designed to help digital artists demonstrate their proficiency and expertise in the various aspects of digital art production, such as graphic design, animation, 3D modeling, web design, video editing, and more.

By obtaining a digital artist certification, artists can prove to employers that they have the necessary skills and experience to work on high-end projects. Certifications also provide an edge when competing for jobs or promotions. Having a certified professional status may give an artist more credibility with clients or employers; it may also open up new opportunities for them. Additionally, certifications can help members of the digital arts community stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices by providing access to continuing education courses related to their field of expertise. Ultimately, earning a digital artist certification can be beneficial for both personal growth and career advancement.

Pro Tip: When considering a digital artist certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Look for courses that provide hands-on experience and projects that will help you develop your skills. Also, look for certifications from organizations that are recognized in the industry and have a good reputation.

Related: What does a Digital Artist do?

Top 10 Digital Artist Certifications

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

1. Adobe Certified Expert

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced proficiency in Adobe products. It is designed to validate the skills of professionals who use Adobe software on a daily basis.

To become an ACE, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge and skills in using Adobe products. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and can be taken at any authorized testing center. Each exam typically takes 1-2 hours to complete and covers topics such as product features, workflows, and troubleshooting techniques.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the product being tested, but generally ranges from $100-$150 USD per exam. You can find detailed information about each exam's cost on the Pearson VUE website.

Once you have passed all required exams, you will receive an official certificate from Adobe recognizing your status as an ACE. This certification is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

2. Autodesk Certified Professional

Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s proficiency in Autodesk software. ACP certification verifies that professionals have the skills and knowledge to successfully complete projects using Autodesk software.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for the Autodesk Certified Professional exam. In order to become certified, you must first pass the Autodesk Certification Exam, which is available online or at a local testing center. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you use Autodesk's official training materials and practice exams.

The cost of becoming an Autodesk Certified Professional varies depending on the type of exam you take and your location. The cost of taking an online exam ranges from $200-$400 USD, while the cost of taking an in-person exam ranges from $300-$500 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate and digital badge from Autodesk confirming your certification status. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your expertise in Autodesk software to potential employers or clients.

3. Apple Certified Pro

Apple Certified Pro is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in Apple products and services. It is designed to recognize the expertise of professionals who use Apple products and services in their work.

To become an Apple Certified Pro, you must pass one or more exams that demonstrate your knowledge and skills with Apple products and services. The exams are administered by Apple Authorized Training Centers (AATC) or through Pearson VUE testing centers. Depending on the exam you take, it may take up to five hours to complete.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the type of exam taken, but typically ranges from $150 to $300 USD per exam. You can find more information about pricing on the AATC website or at Pearson VUE's website.

In order to get certified, you must first register for an exam through either an AATC or Pearson VUE testing center. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials including practice tests, tutorials, and other resources to help prepare for the exam. After passing the exam(s), you will receive your official Apple Certified Pro certificate which is valid for two years from the date of issue.

4. Avid Certified Professional

Avid Certified Professional (ACP) is a certification program offered by Avid, the leading provider of digital media creation tools. The program is designed to provide professionals with an independent and objective measure of their skills and knowledge in using Avid's products.

To become an ACP, you must pass two exams: Pro Tools 101 and Pro Tools 110. The Pro Tools 101 exam covers basic concepts, such as setting up a system and working with audio files; while the Pro Tools 110 exam focuses on more advanced topics, such as mixing and mastering audio. Both exams are offered online through Avid's website or at select testing centers worldwide.

The cost for the two exams is $299 USD each. To prepare for the exams, Avid offers a variety of training materials that can be purchased separately or as part of a bundle package that includes both exams. Once you have successfully completed both exams, you will receive your ACP certificate from Avid within 4-6 weeks.

The ACP certification is valid for three years after which time you must renew it by taking the same two exams again. This ensures that your skills remain up to date with the latest version of Avid's products.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of individuals using Microsoft Office applications. It is offered by Certiport, an official testing center for Microsoft certifications.

The MOS certification covers four main areas: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Each area requires a separate exam that tests the user’s knowledge and proficiency in the application. The exams are composed of multiple-choice questions and hands-on tasks that simulate real-world scenarios.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you put into studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one week to several months to prepare for each exam depending on your existing knowledge and experience with the application being tested.

To get certified, you must register for an exam at a Certiport testing center or online through their website. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam. You must then pass all four exams with a score of 700 or higher in order to receive your MOS certification.

The cost of taking the MOS exams varies based on location but typically ranges from $100-$150 per exam.

6. Unity Certified Programmer

The Unity Certified Programmer is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the Unity game engine. It is designed to help employers identify and hire qualified professionals for their development teams.

The program consists of an online assessment and an optional hands-on project. The assessment tests your knowledge of the Unity platform, including topics such as C# scripting, physics, animation, graphics, audio, and more. The optional hands-on project requires you to create a game or interactive experience using the Unity engine.

It typically takes between 30 and 60 hours to complete the program depending on your existing knowledge and experience with Unity. To get certified, you must pass both the assessment and the hands-on project with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the program varies depending on where you take it. Most online courses range from $100 to $500 USD. Some schools may also offer in-person classes that include instructor support at a higher cost.

7. Google Digital Art & Design Certification

Google Digital Art & Design Certification is an online certification program designed to help individuals learn the fundamentals of digital art and design. The program covers topics such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other industry-standard tools. It also provides guidance on how to create digital artwork for web and mobile devices.

The program takes approximately six months to complete. During this time, participants will gain hands-on experience with the tools and techniques used in digital art and design. They will also learn about color theory, typography, composition, layout, branding, and more.

To get the certification, you must complete all of the required courses in the program and pass a final exam. You can take the final exam at any time after completing all of the coursework.

The cost of Google Digital Art & Design Certification varies depending on which courses you choose to take. Most courses are free; however, some may require a fee or subscription to access additional materials or resources.

8. Wacom Creative Professional Certification

Wacom Creative Professional Certification is a program designed to help creative professionals demonstrate their expertise in using Wacom products. The certification is awarded after successful completion of an online assessment and hands-on training.

The assessment includes multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as digital art, design, photography, animation, and video editing. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete the assessment. After passing the assessment with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your Wacom Creative Professional Certification.

To get certified, you must first purchase a Wacom Creative Professional Certification Kit from the Wacom website. The kit includes an online assessment and hands-on training materials that can be completed at your own pace. You will also need access to a Wacom tablet or pen display for the hands-on portion of the certification.

The cost of the certification kit varies depending on which product you purchase it for (e.g., Intuos Pro or Cintiq). Generally speaking, it costs between $99 and $199 USD for each product type.

9. Pixologic ZBrush Certification Program

Pixologic ZBrush Certification Program is a professional certification program that helps you demonstrate your proficiency in the use of Pixologic ZBrush software. It is designed to help you become a more proficient user of the software, as well as to provide employers with an assurance of your knowledge and skills.

The certification program consists of two levels: Certified Professional and Certified Expert. The Certified Professional level requires a minimum score of 80% on the ZBrush Certification Exam, while the Certified Expert level requires a minimum score of 90%. The exam is comprised of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, rendering, and animation.

The exam can be taken online or at one of Pixologic's authorized training centers. It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam. Once completed, you will receive an email from Pixologic with your results within 48 hours.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it. If taken online through Pixologic's website, it costs $99 USD; if taken at an authorized training center, it may cost more depending on their pricing structure.

10. Corel Painter Master Elite Certification

Corel Painter Master Elite Certification is a professional certification program offered by Corel Corporation. It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using the Corel Painter software. This certification program is open to anyone who has taken the Corel Painter training course or has equivalent experience with the software.

The Corel Painter Master Elite Certification requires applicants to complete a series of tests and assessments that demonstrate their understanding of the software’s features and capabilities. The tests are divided into three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level includes a written test, as well as practical exercises that require applicants to use the software in order to complete tasks.

The entire process takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete, depending on each individual's progress through the tests and assessments. To get started, applicants must first register for an account at the Corel website and purchase a copy of the Corel Painter software. Once registered, they can then begin working through the various levels of tests and assessments.

The cost for taking part in this certification program is $299 USD for all three levels of testing and assessment. This fee covers access to all necessary materials, including tutorials, practice exercises, and support from Corel staff members throughout the duration of the program.

Do You Really Need a Digital Artist Certificate?

The short answer to whether or not you need a digital artist certificate is “no”. A digital artist certificate is not a requirement for entry into the field of digital art, nor does it guarantee that you will be successful in the field.

However, depending on your goals and the types of opportunities you are looking for, having a digital artist certificate may be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have dedicated yourself to learning and mastering key skills in the area of digital art. Additionally, there are certain organizations and programs which may require or give preference to applicants with a certificate in digital art.

If you are serious about pursuing a career in digital art, then an accredited certification program can provide valuable instruction and experience to help you reach your goals. The courses covered in these programs typically include topics such as basic design principles, computer graphics software use, animation techniques, and more. Through this type of training, you will gain specific knowledge that can enhance your portfolio and make you more attractive to potential employers.

At the end of the day though, it is up to each individual to decide if taking part in a certification program is worth their time and effort. If you think that having a digital artist certificate could help further your career goals or open up new opportunities for you then it may be worth investing in one.

Related: Digital Artist Resume Examples

FAQs About Digital Artist Certifications

Q1. What is a digital artist certification?

A1. A digital artist certification is a credential that demonstrates a mastery of the skills and knowledge required to work in the field of digital art and design. The certification may be issued by an educational institution, professional organization, or other certifying body.

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining a digital artist certification?

A2. Obtaining a digital artist certification can give you an edge when applying for jobs, as employers know that certified artists have met certain criteria and standards for proficiency in their field. Certification may also qualify you for higher wages or promotions within your current job, as well as provide access to exclusive resources or opportunities within the industry.

Q3. How do I get certified as a digital artist?

A3. The requirements for becoming certified vary depending on the certifying body, but typically include completing courses or training programs related to digital art and design, passing examinations or tests, and demonstrating proficiency in certain software programs used in the industry.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a digital artist?

A4. The amount of time required depends on your experience level and the certifying body's requirements; however, most certifications can be obtained within several months with sufficient dedication and focus on studying course material and mastering relevant software programs.

Q5. Is there an expiration date for my digital artist certification?

A5. In most cases, there is no expiration date associated with digital artist certifications; however, some certifying bodies may require recertification after a certain period of time has passed in order to maintain currency with industry standards and practices.