Top 11 Production Artist Certifications

Certifications are important for production artists in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and mastery of certain skills. They validate the artist’s qualifications and ability to perform various tasks related to production art, such as designing layouts, manipulating images, and creating visual effects. Certifications also show potential employers that the artist has taken the initiative to further their knowledge and stay up-to-date with industry standards. In addition, certifications can open up new job opportunities since many employers prefer to hire individuals who have earned specific certifications related to production art.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Production Artists and explain how they can help further a production artist's career.

What are Production Artist Certifications?

Production artist certification is a certification that recognizes an individual’s proficiency in the production arts. This includes the use of digital media, such as Adobe Creative Suite and other tools used to create designs and illustrations for use in multiple mediums, such as print, web, video, and mobile. Production artists are responsible for creating high-quality artwork for a variety of projects, including logos, advertisements, motion graphics, websites, packaging materials, and more.

Having production artist certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise and skills to employers. It can also help them stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions. Additionally, having this certification can lead to increased job security since it shows employers that the applicant has been trained in the technical aspects of production artistry. Furthermore, having production artist certification can lead to higher salaries since employers may be willing to pay more for someone with such qualifications. Finally, having production artist certification can open up opportunities in the industry by allowing people access to specialized training workshops or seminars that may not be available without it.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of production artist certifications available, as some may be more applicable to your specific field than others. Additionally, look into what type of continuing education is required to maintain certification, so that you can stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices.

Related: What does a Production Artist do?

Top 11 Production Artist Certifications

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

1. Adobe Certified Expert in Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite products. ACE certifications are available for all of the major Creative Suite components, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat.

To become an ACE, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge of the product(s). The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and can be taken at any authorized testing center. Depending on the product or products you choose to certify in, it can take anywhere from one to several hours to complete the exam(s).

The cost of becoming an ACE varies depending on the number of exams you take and their associated fees. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $180 USD. However, discounts may be available if you purchase multiple exams at once.

Once you’ve passed all necessary exams and become an ACE, your certification will be valid for two years from the date of issue. After two years, you’ll need to recertify in order to maintain your status as an ACE.

2. Quark Certified Professional

Quark Certified Professional (QCP) is a professional certification program developed by Quark, Inc. to recognize the expertise of individuals in creating and managing content with QuarkXPress. It is designed for professionals who create and manage content using QuarkXPress, including graphic designers, production artists, pre-press professionals, typesetters, printers, publishers, web developers and other creative professionals.

The QCP program requires candidates to pass an online exam that covers topics such as layout design principles, typography, color management and prepress output. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 80% or higher in order to become certified.

To get the QCP certification you must first register for the exam on the Quark website. After registering you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. Once you have completed the exam successfully you will be sent a certificate confirming your status as a Quark Certified Professional.

The cost of the QCP certification varies depending on which version of the exam you choose to take (there are two versions available). The standard version costs $99 USD while the advanced version costs $199 USD.

3. Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD

Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD is a certification program that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in using AutoCAD software. It is offered by Autodesk, the company behind AutoCAD and other design software.

The certification process involves taking an exam to demonstrate proficiency with the software. The exam covers topics such as drawing setup, object creation, editing, dimensioning, plotting, and 3D modeling.

It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 80%. You can take the exam online or at an authorized testing center.

The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of AutoCAD you are testing for. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 USD to take the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Autodesk confirming your status as a Certified Professional in AutoCAD. This certificate is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

4. Microsoft Office Specialist in Word and Excel

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual’s proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and Excel. The MOS certification program is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products.

The MOS certification exam for Word and Excel consists of two separate exams: one for Word and one for Excel. Both exams are comprised of multiple-choice questions that assess an individual’s knowledge of the features and functions available in each application. The exams also include tasks that require the candidate to perform specific tasks within each application.

The MOS certification exam for Word and Excel can be taken online or at a local testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on which version you are taking, but typically ranges from $100 - $150 per exam. It usually takes around 90 minutes to complete each exam, although this can vary depending on how quickly you work through the questions.

To prepare for the MOS certification exam, it is recommended that individuals review official Microsoft training material or take a course from an authorized training provider. There are also numerous online resources available to help individuals prepare for their exams, such as practice tests, study guides, video tutorials, and more.

5. Apple Certified Pro in Final Cut Pro X

Apple Certified Pro in Final Cut Pro X is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the advanced features and functionality of Final Cut Pro X. This certification is available to anyone who has successfully completed the Apple Certified Pro in Final Cut Pro X course.

The course takes two days to complete and covers topics such as editing techniques, media management, audio mixing, color correction, effects creation, and more. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass an exam to become certified.

To get Apple Certified Pro in Final Cut Pro X, you must first enroll in an Apple-authorized training center or take the online self-paced course from Apple. The cost for the self-paced online course is $299 USD. After completing the coursework and passing the exam, you will receive your certificate from Apple and be recognized as an Apple Certified Professional in Final Cut Pro X.

6. Avid Certified User in Media Composer

Avid Certified User in Media Composer is a certification program that allows users to demonstrate their proficiency with the Avid Media Composer software. The certification requires users to pass an online assessment, which tests their skills in using the software.

The assessment takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of questions related to the user interface, media management, editing techniques, and effects. It also includes a hands-on exercise where users must edit a scene using Avid Media Composer.

To get certified, users must first register for an exam on the Avid website. They will then be asked to pay a fee of $199 USD before they can access the exam. Once they have passed the assessment, they will receive an email confirming their certification status as well as instructions on how to download their certificate and badge.

Avid Certified User in Media Composer is valid for one year from the date of completion and can be renewed by taking another exam at any time during that period.

7. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification is an official certification program offered by Corel Corporation that recognizes individuals who demonstrate mastery of the CorelDRAW software. This certification is designed to provide users with a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge necessary to use the software effectively.

How long does it take to get it?

The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification requires a minimum of 80 hours of study, practice, and application. Depending on your level of experience and proficiency with the software, it can take anywhere from two weeks to several months to complete the certification process.

How to get it?

To become certified in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, you must first purchase the official training materials from Corel Corporation. Once you have purchased the materials, you will need to complete all required activities and exams within the specified time frame. After completing all requirements, you will receive an official certificate from Corel Corporation confirming your successful completion of the program.

How much does it cost?

The cost for the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certification program varies depending on which version of the software you are using and where you purchase your training materials. Generally speaking, however, most people can expect to pay between $200-$500 for their certification materials and fees.

8. Adobe Certified Instructor in Photoshop and Illustrator

Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) is a certification program offered by Adobe to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in teaching Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator. This certification is designed for instructors, trainers, and educators who teach Adobe software in an academic or professional setting.

To become an ACI, you must complete the ACI program which consists of two parts: the ACI Exam and the ACI Courseware Development Workshop. The exam tests your knowledge of Adobe software and its features while the workshop focuses on developing course materials for teaching Adobe software.

The length of time it takes to become an ACI depends on how quickly you can complete the program requirements. Generally, it takes at least six months from start to finish. To get started, you will need to register for both the exam and workshop through Adobe’s website.

The cost of becoming an ACI varies depending on where you take the exam and workshop. The cost of the exam is $250 USD while the cost of the workshop is $1,500 USD.

9. International Webmasters Association (IWA) Web Design Professional Certification

The International Webmasters Association (IWA) Web Design Professional Certification is a certification program for web professionals that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in web design. The certification is recognized by employers and other organizations as a mark of professional excellence and can be used to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in web design.

The IWA Web Design Professional Certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam tests the candidate's knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, SEO, Accessibility and more. The practical exam tests the candidate's ability to create a website from scratch using these technologies.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the IWA Web Design Professional Certification program. To get certified, candidates must first register with the IWA and pay the registration fee. Once registered, they will receive access to online course materials which they must use to prepare for both the written and practical exams. After completing the coursework, candidates must take both exams within one year of registering with the IWA.

The cost of becoming certified depends on whether you are taking the exams online or in-person at an approved testing center. If taking the exams online, there is a one-time fee of $250 USD which covers both exams and all course materials. If taking them in-person at an approved testing center there is an additional fee for each exam taken ($150 USD per exam).

10. National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) Certification

The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of experienced Photoshop users. This certification program is available to both members and non-members of NAPP.

The NAPP Certification consists of two levels: Certified Adobe Photoshop Expert (CAPE) and Certified Adobe Photoshop Master (CPM). The CAPE level requires a minimum of six months experience with Adobe Photoshop, while the CPM level requires at least one year experience.

To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as image manipulation, color management, retouching, compositing, effects, automation, printing/exporting/outputting images, and more. The exam also includes a hands-on project where applicants must demonstrate their mastery of various tools within Adobe Photoshop.

The cost for the NAPP Certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NAPP. For members, the cost is $99 for the CAPE level and $199 for the CPM level. For non-members, the cost is $149 for CAPE and $249 for CPM.

Once certified, applicants will receive an official certificate from NAPP as well as access to exclusive resources such as webinars, tutorials, discounts on software products and services from partner companies, special offers from industry partners and more.

11. IC3 Digital Literacy Certification

The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is a global certification program that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in using digital technologies. It is designed to help individuals develop the necessary skills to succeed in today's digital world. The certification covers three key areas: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online.

It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the certification process. To get the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification, you must first register for an account on Certiport's website. Once registered, you can purchase the exam voucher from Certiport or Pearson VUE. After purchasing the voucher, you will need to schedule an appointment with a certified testing center and take the exam.

The cost of the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification varies depending on where you take it and how many exams you are taking. Generally speaking, it costs between $50-$100 per exam.

Do You Really Need a Production Artist Certificate?

No, you do not need a production artist certificate to become a production artist. However, having one can help to demonstrate your knowledge and skill level in the field, which could give you an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions. It can also provide validation of your commitment to the profession and may even lead to higher pay or more opportunities.

In many cases, a production artist certificate is not required to enter the profession but it can be beneficial for those who are serious about their career progression. The certificate will usually involve completing a course in areas such as design principles, digital image manipulation, typography, page layout and more. This will give you an understanding of the industry standards and processes that are used by employers so that you can hit the ground running when entering the job market.

Overall, while having a production artist certificate is not essential for becoming a production artist, it can be beneficial for those who want to demonstrate their skills and commitment in the field. It could make all the difference when looking for job opportunities or promotions within the industry.

Related: Production Artist Resume Examples

FAQs About Production Artist Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Production Artist?

Answer: Becoming a certified Production Artist can provide you with an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field of production art. It can also lead to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and more career advancements.

2. What types of certifications are available for Production Artists?

Answer: There are several professional certifications available for Production Artists, including Certified Production Artist (CPA), Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), Apple Certified Pro (ACP), and Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP).

3. How do I become certified as a Production Artist?

Answer: To become certified as a Production Artist, you must complete an approved course or program that covers production art topics such as graphic design, animation, video editing, sound engineering, and more. You may also need to pass an exam in order to receive certification.

4. How long does it take to become a certified Production Artist?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become a certified Production Artist will vary depending on the type of certification you pursue and how many courses or programs you need to complete in order to achieve it. Generally speaking, most certifications can be completed within one year or less if you dedicate enough time and effort towards studying and practicing the skills needed for success.

5. Is there any cost associated with becoming a certified Production Artist?

Answer: Yes, there is typically some cost associated with becoming a certified Production Artist, such as fees for courses or exams required to obtain certification. However, the cost may be offset by potential salary increases or job opportunities that come from having an industry-recognized credential attached to your name.