Top 10 Illustrator Certifications

Certifications are important for illustrators because they demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. They provide proof of your ability to work in a professional setting, as well as showcase your skill level. Certifications also show that you have taken the time and effort to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in the industry, which can be invaluable for employers looking for reliable and knowledgeable professionals. Having certifications can help set an illustrator apart from other candidates in the job market, making them more attractive to potential employers.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of quality certifications for Illustrators and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Illustrator Certifications?

Illustrator certification is a professional level certification that demonstrates a person's proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, the industry-standard vector graphics software used by graphic designers and illustrators. The certification validates a person's ability to create complex art, illustrations, logos, and other designs using the software. It also serves as an effective way for employers to identify qualified candidates for positions requiring advanced knowledge of Illustrator.

The certification exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of the features and tools within the software, including creating shapes and paths, using brushes, working with text and typefaces, working with layers and objects, applying effects, creating symbols and templates, exporting artwork into various formats, and more. Candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in both basic concepts as well as advanced techniques to pass the exam.

Having an Illustrator certification can help individuals stand out from other applicants when applying for design or illustration jobs. It can also serve as evidence of an individual’s commitment to mastering their craft as it shows they are willing to invest time and energy into developing their skillset. In addition, earning this certification can open up opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

Pro Tip: To get the most out of your Illustrator certification, make sure to practice regularly and keep up-to-date with the latest features and tools. It's also important to take advantage of online resources such as tutorials and forums for tips and tricks from other experienced users.

Related: What does an Illustrator do?

Top 10 Illustrator Certifications

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

1. Adobe Certified Expert: Illustrator

Adobe Certified Expert: Illustrator is a certification program offered by Adobe that verifies an individual’s expertise in using Adobe Illustrator. This certification is designed to demonstrate the ability to use Adobe Illustrator for creating vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and other artwork.

To become an Adobe Certified Expert: Illustrator, individuals must pass a 90-minute exam that tests their knowledge of the software's features and tools. The exam covers topics such as creating shapes and objects, working with text, using layers, applying effects and filters, working with color, and more.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $180-$250 USD. Additionally, you may need to purchase a voucher from Pearson VUE in order to take the exam.

In order to prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you have at least six months of experience using Adobe Illustrator or attend an official training course offered by Adobe or its partners. Additionally, there are many online resources available to help you study for the exam such as practice tests and tutorials.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an email confirming your status as an Adobe Certified Expert: Illustrator along with a digital badge that can be shared on social media sites like LinkedIn.

2. Adobe Certified Associate: Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator is a certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the use of Adobe Illustrator for graphic design. This certification is designed for those who are looking to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the use of this powerful software.

The certification requires you to pass an exam, which tests your knowledge of Adobe Illustrator tools, features, and best practices. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To get certified, you must first purchase an ACA Exam Voucher from Adobe or one of its authorized partners. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where it is purchased, but typically ranges from $90-$125 USD. After purchasing your voucher, you will need to register with Certiport to take the exam at a local testing center.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Adobe that recognizes your achievement as an Adobe Certified Associate in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. You will also receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media and other online platforms.

The certification is valid for two years after which time you may need to retake the exam if you wish to maintain your certification status.

3. Certified Digital Media Designer – Illustrator

Certified Digital Media Designer – Illustrator is a certification program offered by Adobe that validates an individual's ability to design and create digital media using Adobe Illustrator. It is designed for professionals who have experience with the software and want to demonstrate their expertise in the field.

The certification process takes approximately 8 hours, including completing a series of tests on various topics related to Adobe Illustrator. The tests cover topics such as vector graphics, typography, color management, layout, and more. Once all tests are completed, the candidate must submit a portfolio of work demonstrating their skills in Adobe Illustrator.

To get certified as a Digital Media Designer – Illustrator, you must register with Adobe and pay a fee of $99 USD. You can then access the online testing platform where you will be asked to complete multiple-choice questions about Adobe Illustrator. After passing the tests, you will need to submit your portfolio of work to be reviewed by an Adobe expert. Once approved, you will receive your official certification from Adobe.

The cost of getting certified as a Digital Media Designer – Illustrator is $99 USD.

4. Certified Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master – Illustrator

Certified Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master – Illustrator is an advanced certification program offered by Adobe. It is designed to give professionals the skills and knowledge they need to become experts in Adobe Illustrator, a powerful vector graphics software. This certification validates an individual’s ability to create professional artwork, design logos, and manipulate images using the tools available in Adobe Illustrator.

The Certified Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master – Illustrator program consists of two exams: Exam 9A0-383 (Adobe Illustrator CS6 ACE) and Exam 9A0-384 (Adobe Illustrator CS6 Recertification). The first exam tests your knowledge of the features and functions of Adobe Illustrator CS6 while the second exam tests your understanding of how to use those features and functions in real-world scenarios. Both exams must be passed with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive the certification.

The entire process typically takes about two months from start to finish. You will need to purchase both exams from Pearson VUE, which costs $180 each, for a total cost of $360. After you have purchased the exams, you will need to register for them on the Pearson VUE website. Once registered, you can take either exam at any authorized testing center worldwide.

Once you have passed both exams with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official certificate from Adobe that verifies your achievement as an Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master – Illustrator certified professional.

5. Autodesk Certified Professional – Autodesk SketchBook Pro

Autodesk Certified Professional – Autodesk SketchBook Pro is an advanced certification program for professionals who use Autodesk SketchBook Pro software. It is a comprehensive program that covers the fundamentals of digital drawing and painting, as well as more advanced techniques for creating professional-level artwork. The certification requires passing a rigorous exam that tests the user’s knowledge and skills in using the software.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions, written projects, and hands-on exercises. To become certified, users must demonstrate their mastery of the software by correctly completing all tasks on the exam.

To get certified, you must first purchase an Autodesk Certification Exam voucher from an authorized reseller or from Autodesk directly. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can register for the exam online at Autodesk's website. After registering, you will be given access to online resources to help prepare for the exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you purchase your voucher from and whether or not you are eligible for any discounts or promotions offered by Autodesk. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to become certified in Autodesk SketchBook Pro.

6. Corel Painter Certified Professional

Corel Painter Certified Professional is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the use of Corel Painter software. The certification is offered by Corel Corporation, and is recognized worldwide as a mark of excellence in digital art creation.

To become a Corel Painter Certified Professional, you must pass the Corel Painter Certification Exam. This exam tests your knowledge of the features and functions of Corel Painter software, as well as your ability to create digital artwork with it. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as brush settings, color management, layers, selection tools, filters and effects.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and costs $99 USD for each attempt. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online via their website. Once you pass the exam, you will receive an email from Corel with instructions on how to access your certificate and other materials associated with your certification.

The cost for becoming a Corel Painter Certified Professional varies depending on where you take the test and whether or not you choose to purchase additional study materials or practice exams. Generally speaking, however, it should cost around $150-$200 USD for everything needed to become certified.

7. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7 Professional Certification

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7 Professional Certification is an industry-recognized certification program designed to demonstrate a user’s proficiency in the use of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7. This certification is designed to validate the user’s ability to create professional-level graphics and illustrations, as well as use the suite's powerful tools for page layout, photo editing, web graphics, vector illustration and more.

The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7 Professional Certification exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as working with objects, text, photos and effects; creating complex shapes; using color management; creating web graphics; using advanced features such as layers and masks; and customizing workspaces.

To get certified in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X7 Professional, you must first purchase an Exam Voucher from Corel or one of its authorized resellers. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where you purchase it from but typically ranges between $100 - $150 USD. After purchasing the voucher you can then register for the exam at Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com/coreldraw). Once registered you can schedule your exam date and time at a local testing center near you.

Upon successful completion of the exam you will receive an email with your official certification results along with a digital badge that can be used to showcase your achievement on social media sites like LinkedIn or Twitter.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist – PowerPoint and Publisher with Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office Specialist – PowerPoint and Publisher with Adobe Illustrator is a certification program offered by Microsoft. It certifies that an individual has the skills and knowledge to use Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher, as well as Adobe Illustrator, to create professional-looking documents.

It typically takes around 10 hours of study time to prepare for the exam, which is administered through Pearson VUE. The exam costs $150 USD and consists of 50 questions covering topics such as creating presentations, formatting text, using graphics, creating documents in Publisher, working with shapes in Illustrator, and more.

To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 1000. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a digital badge from Microsoft acknowledging your achievement.

9. IC3 Digital Literacy Certification – Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is a certification program that tests and verifies an individual’s proficiency in using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is designed to provide employers with a standardized way to assess the digital literacy of potential employees. It is also beneficial for individuals who wish to demonstrate their proficiency in these programs.

The certification consists of three exams: one on basic computer concepts, one on Adobe Photoshop, and one on Adobe Illustrator. Each exam takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online. The cost of the certification varies depending on which exams you choose to take, but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD.

In order to become certified, you must pass all three exams with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed all three exams, you will receive your official IC3 Digital Literacy Certificate in the mail within 8-10 weeks. This certificate serves as proof that you are proficient in using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and can be used when applying for jobs or other opportunities that require digital literacy skills.

10. CIW Web Design Specialist – Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

CIW Web Design Specialist – Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is a certification program that provides individuals with the skills needed to create professional web designs. This certification is designed for those who are interested in becoming proficient in creating web designs using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It covers topics such as design principles, typography, image optimization, animation, color theory and more.

The CIW Web Design Specialist – Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator certification program consists of two exams: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Exam 1D0-610) and Adobe Illustrator CS6 (Exam 1D0-611). The exams can be taken at an authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE. The cost of each exam is $150 USD.

The entire certification process typically takes between 2-4 weeks to complete depending on the individual’s experience level with the software. After passing both exams, individuals will receive their official CIW Web Design Specialist – Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator certificate from the CIW Certification Program.

Do You Really Need a Illustrator Certificate?

Whether or not you need an illustrator certificate depends on the kind of illustration work you are doing and the type of clients you wish to attract. If you are a professional illustrator who wishes to specialize in certain types of illustrations, then obtaining an illustrator certificate can help you market yourself more effectively and demonstrate your proficiency in that area. It also gives potential employers a way to verify your qualifications.

On the other hand, if you are just starting out as an illustrator or do not wish to specialize in any particular area, then an illustrator certificate may not be necessary. In this case, it is important to focus on developing your portfolio and showcasing your skills by entering competitions and exhibiting your work at galleries or other venues.

In summary, whether or not an illustrator certificate is necessary depends on the individual situation and goals of the artist. If specialization is desired or needed for professional success, then pursuing a certificate can be beneficial. Otherwise, focusing on building a portfolio will likely be more effective for someone just starting out in the field.

Related: Illustrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Illustrator Certifications

1. What types of Illustrator certifications are available?

Answer: Adobe offers two levels of certification for Illustrator: ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) and ACE (Adobe Certified Expert).

2. How do I get an Adobe Illustrator certification?

Answer: To become certified, you must pass the relevant exam administered by Adobe. Exams are offered online and at various testing centers around the world.

3. How long does it take to complete an Illustrator certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to complete a certification depends on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, it takes between one to three months to prepare for the exam.

4. What is the cost of an Illustrator certification?

Answer: The cost of an Illustrator certification varies based on the type of exam taken and where you choose to take it. Generally speaking, exams range from $80-$180 USD depending on location.

5. What type of job opportunities are available with an Illustrator certification?

Answer: With an Illustrator certification, you can find work in a variety of industries such as advertising, graphic design, web design, video game development, etc. Additionally, having a certification may help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within your current organization.