Top 10 Freelance Art Director Certifications

Certifications are an important asset for any freelance art director in the job market. Certifications demonstrate that a freelancer has taken the time to learn and develop their skills, as well as gain industry-recognized recognition of their expertise. Certifications also show potential employers that they have a proven track record of success with specific software or techniques, which can give them an edge over other candidates. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities to work on larger projects or even become a specialist in a certain area. Finally, having certifications can help freelancers stand out from the competition when applying for jobs and increase their chances of landing the job.

The purpose of this article is to review top certifications for Freelance Art Directors and explain how they can help advance a freelance art director's career.

What are Freelance Art Director Certifications?

Freelance art director certification is a program designed to help art directors who are working on a freelance basis. The program is geared towards individuals who want to become more successful in their freelance career. The certification provides individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to create effective visuals, manage projects efficiently, and build lasting relationships with clients. It teaches the fundamentals of art direction, including how to develop creative campaigns and strategies, how to work with budgets and deadlines, how to manage teams and resources, as well as how to use digital tools for creating visuals. By completing the certification course, individuals will have a better understanding of the industry and be able to make more informed decisions regarding projects they accept and their client relationships. Additionally, having this certification can help freelancers stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or trying to get new clients.

Pro Tip: Before committing to a freelance art director certification program, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Ensure that it offers a comprehensive curriculum, provides access to industry-leading professionals, and offers practical experience with real-world projects. Also, be sure to ask about the program’s success rate and what kind of support is available for graduates.

Related: What does a Freelance Art Director do?

Top 10 Freelance Art Director Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Freelance Art Directors today.

1. Adobe Certified Expert in Art Direction

Adobe Certified Expert in Art Direction is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the use of Adobe Creative Suite for art direction. The program is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in creating design solutions for print, web, and video projects.

It typically takes about four to six months to complete the requirements for the certification. To become certified, you must pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of art direction and one on a specific Adobe Creative Suite application. You can find more information about the exam requirements on Adobe's website.

The cost of becoming an Adobe Certified Expert in Art Direction varies depending on the country you live in, but generally ranges from $200 to $400 USD. This fee covers both exams and any additional materials required for the program.

2. National Association of Photoshop Professionals Art Director Certification

The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) Art Director Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise and experience of Photoshop professionals. The certification is intended to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to mastering the art and science of digital imaging, as well as their ability to create high-quality artwork with Adobe Photoshop.

To become certified, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that tests their knowledge and skills in all aspects of Photoshop. This includes topics such as image manipulation, color correction, masking, compositing, retouching, vector graphics, 3D modeling and animation. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the NAPP Art Director Certification, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience using Adobe Photoshop or equivalent software. They must also complete an online application form and submit a portfolio demonstrating their skill level in digital imaging.

The cost for the NAPP Art Director Certification is $495 USD for members and $595 USD for non-members.

3. Apple Certified Pro: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects

Apple Certified Pro: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects is a certification program from Apple that validates the skills of professionals in creating motion graphics and visual effects using Apple’s professional applications. This certification covers the use of Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4, and Logic Pro X.

The certification process takes approximately two hours to complete. It includes an online assessment that tests your knowledge on topics such as workflow, editing techniques, color correction, animation, audio mixing, and more. Once you have passed the assessment with a score of 80% or higher, you will be awarded the Apple Certified Pro: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects certification.

To get certified, you must first purchase an exam voucher from Apple. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your country of residence; however, it typically costs around $100 USD. After purchasing the voucher, you can schedule an appointment at an authorized testing center to take your exam.

Once you have successfully completed the exam and received your certification, you will receive a digital badge to display on your website or social media profiles to demonstrate your expertise in motion graphics and visual effects.

4. Autodesk 3ds Max Certified Professional

Autodesk 3ds Max Certified Professional is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual’s proficiency in Autodesk 3ds Max software. This certification is offered by Autodesk and provides an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a user’s expertise in working with the software.

To become certified, individuals must pass the Autodesk 3ds Max Certified Professional Exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and a hands-on portion. The written portion consists of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of the software interface, tools, commands, and features. The hands-on portion requires users to demonstrate their skills in completing tasks using the software.

The exam typically takes 4 hours to complete and can be taken at any authorized Autodesk Certification Center or online through Pearson VUE. The cost for the exam is $180 USD.

By obtaining this certification, individuals demonstrate their mastery of Autodesk 3ds Max to employers and customers, which can lead to more job opportunities and higher salaries.

5. Certified Professional Graphic Designer (CPGD)

Certified Professional Graphic Designer (CPGD) is an industry-recognized certification program for graphic designers. It is a professional credential that demonstrates a designer’s mastery of the principles and techniques used in the field of graphic design. This certification is administered by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), and it is designed to help employers identify qualified graphic designers.

The CPGD certification process typically takes about six months to complete, depending on the individual's experience level and other factors. To be eligible for the CPGD, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the field of graphic design, as well as a portfolio demonstrating their work. Applicants must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as color theory, typography, layout, branding, and more.

The cost of obtaining a CPGD certification varies depending on where you live and how much preparation you need to do for the exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $200-$500 to become certified. In addition to this fee, some applicants may also need to purchase books or other materials related to graphic design in order to prepare for the exam.

Overall, becoming certified as a Professional Graphic Designer can be an expensive but worthwhile investment for those looking to advance their career in graphic design. It demonstrates expertise in the field and can help open doors for new opportunities in the industry.

6. International Webmasters Association (IWA) Creative Director Certification

The International Webmasters Association (IWA) Creative Director Certification is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the areas of web design, development and creative direction. This certification is awarded to those who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of web design principles, techniques and technologies, as well as the ability to effectively lead and manage creative projects.

The IWA Creative Director Certification typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience level. It consists of three parts: an online assessment, an in-person oral examination and a portfolio review. The online assessment covers topics such as web design principles, project management, user experience design, content strategy and more. The in-person oral examination tests the candidate’s knowledge of web development technologies and best practices. Finally, the portfolio review assesses the candidate’s ability to create effective visual designs for websites.

To get certified by the IWA Creative Director Certification program, you must first register with IWA and pay the registration fee which is currently $250 USD. After registering, you will be given access to study materials that will help you prepare for the exam. Once you have completed all three parts of the certification program successfully, you will be awarded your IWA Creative Director Certification.

The cost of this certification varies depending on how long it takes you to complete it but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD including registration fees and study materials.

7. American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Creative Director Certificate

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Creative Director Certificate is a professional certification program that provides recognition for those with advanced knowledge in the field of graphic design. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for creative directors, senior designers, and other professionals to demonstrate their expertise and experience in the field.

The AIGA Creative Director Certificate can be earned by completing five courses: Introduction to Creative Direction, Strategic Thinking, Design Leadership, Client Relationships, and Professional Practices. Each course requires 15-20 hours of study time and can be taken online or in person. The total cost of the program is $1,995 USD.

In order to receive the AIGA Creative Director Certificate, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam at the end of each course. Upon successful completion of all five courses and exams, applicants will receive their certificate from AIGA.

8. International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) Art Direction Certification

The International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) Art Direction Certification is a professional certification program for typographic designers. It is designed to recognize and validate the skills, knowledge, and experience of typographic design professionals. The ISTD Art Direction Certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in typography and layout design.

The certification process takes approximately six months to complete, depending on the individual's experience and skill level. The first step is to submit an application form which includes a portfolio of work samples as well as a statement of intent outlining why you wish to become certified. Once your application has been accepted, you will be required to take an online test covering topics such as typeface selection, layout design principles, and typographic conventions. If successful, you will then be invited to attend an interview with two experienced ISTD members who will assess your knowledge and skills in more detail.

Once all stages have been completed successfully, you will receive your ISTD Art Direction Certification. This certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by taking part in ongoing professional development activities or attending refresher courses offered by the ISTD.

The cost of the ISTD Art Direction Certification varies depending on your country of residence but typically ranges from $200 - $500 USD.

9. Adobe Certified Associate in Digital Video Production

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) in Digital Video Production is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in the use of Adobe digital video production tools. It is designed to validate the skills needed to create, edit, and deliver professional-quality video content.

To become certified, you must pass a certification exam administered by Adobe. The exam covers topics such as using Adobe Premiere Pro for editing and color correction, creating motion graphics with After Effects, and producing videos with Adobe Media Encoder.

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To prepare for the exam, you can take an online course or attend a live training session offered by Adobe or one of its authorized training partners.

The cost of the ACA in Digital Video Production certification exam varies depending on where you take it and how you register for it. In general, it costs around $180 USD for a single attempt at the exam. You may also be able to get discounted rates if you purchase multiple attempts at once or if your organization has an Enterprise Agreement with Adobe.

10. Society for Technical Communication (STC) Creative Director Certification

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) Creative Director Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the highest level of technical communication expertise. The certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to lead a team of technical communicators in creating effective and engaging content.

The STC Creative Director Certification takes approximately one year to complete. To get certified, applicants must first pass an online assessment, which covers topics such as project management, writing for various audiences, and design principles. After passing the assessment, applicants must then submit a portfolio demonstrating their creative direction capabilities. This portfolio should include examples of projects they have led or managed as well as any awards or recognition they have received for their work.

Once the portfolio has been reviewed and approved by STC, applicants must then take part in an interview with a panel of experts who will assess their knowledge and experience in leading teams in creating effective content.

Finally, applicants must pay a fee of $500 USD to receive their certification.

Do You Really Need a Freelance Art Director Certificate?

In short, no. While there are certificate programs available for freelance art directors, having a certificate is not necessary to be successful in the field. It is possible to become an accomplished freelance art director without one.

That said, the right certification program can provide important knowledge and experience that could benefit your career. It can teach you techniques and processes that may not be readily available elsewhere, as well as help you develop valuable relationships with other professionals in the industry. Further, a certificate program can also help demonstrate your commitment to the field and make it easier for potential clients to trust you with their projects.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a freelance art director certificate depends on your own goals and ambitions. If you are looking for additional training or want to establish yourself as an authority in the field, then pursuing a certification could be very beneficial. However, if you feel confident enough to pursue freelance art directing without one then it may not be worth the time and money required for such a program.

Related: Freelance Art Director Resume Examples

FAQs About Freelance Art Director Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Art Director?

Answer: To become an Art Director, you typically need a combination of education and experience in the field of art direction. Depending on the job, you may need a degree in graphic design, advertising, fine art or other related field. Additionally, some employers may require several years of experience in the industry as well.

2. How much does it cost to get certified as an Art Director?

Answer: The cost to get certified as an Art Director varies depending on which certification program you choose. Generally speaking, most certification programs range from $200-$800 USD.

3. Are freelance Art Directors in high demand?

Answer: Yes, freelance Art Directors are in high demand! With the rise of online businesses and e-commerce platforms, many companies are looking for experienced professionals who can create engaging visuals that capture their brand’s story and values.

4. How long does it take to complete an Art Director certification program?

Answer: Most Art Director certification programs can be completed within one year or less depending on how quickly you go through the material and complete all required assignments.

5. What type of jobs can I get with an Art Director certification?

Answer: With an Art Director certification, you can qualify for a variety of jobs including Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, Creative Director, Brand Manager and more!