Top 11 Senior Web Designer Certifications

Certifications are important for a senior web designer in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in their role. Certifications also show employers that the designer is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest web design trends and technologies. Certifications can also provide a competitive edge over other designers who may not have such credentials. Additionally, certifications can help a senior web designer stand out from the competition by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in their field.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Senior Web Designers and explains how they can help enhance a senior web designer's career.

What are Senior Web Designer Certifications?

Senior Web Designer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in web design and development. It provides tangible evidence of one’s knowledge and experience in the field, as well as recognition from employers and other professionals. The certification can be obtained through accredited institutions or organizations, such as the International Webmasters Association (IWA).

The Senior Web Designer Certification is designed to validate one’s ability to work with web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages. It also tests a person's understanding of user interface design principles, information architecture, accessibility requirements, search engine optimization strategies, web analytics tools and techniques, content management systems (CMS), digital marketing principles and more.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in web design and development. It also gives them an edge over non-certified candidates when applying for jobs or advancing their career prospects. Additionally, certified professionals have access to exclusive job opportunities because many employers prefer to hire those with certifications. Furthermore, the certification may qualify them for higher salaries than those without it. Finally, it helps individuals stay up-to-date on industry trends by providing continuing education opportunities that are only available to certified individuals.

Pro Tip: When considering a senior web designer certification, make sure to research the different options available and choose one that best fits your experience and skill level. Additionally, look for certifications from reputable organizations, such as the International Web Association (IWA) or the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These certifications can help demonstrate your expertise in web design and give you an edge when applying for jobs.

Related: What does a Senior Web Designer do?

Top 11 Senior Web Designer Certifications

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

1. CIW Web Design Professional Certification

The CIW Web Design Professional Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person’s proficiency in web design. It is designed to validate the skills necessary to create and maintain websites. The certification covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and other web technologies.

To obtain the CIW Web Design Professional Certification, an individual must pass two exams: the CIW Site Development Associate Exam (1D0-610) and the CIW Web Design Professional Exam (1D0-620). Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE testing centers.

The amount of time it takes to get the CIW Web Design Professional Certification depends on how quickly an individual can study for and pass both exams. Generally speaking, it takes several weeks or months to prepare for the exams and complete them successfully.

The cost of obtaining the CIW Web Design Professional Certification varies depending on where you take the exams and what type of resources you use to prepare for them. Generally speaking, it costs around $250 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking them at a Pearson VUE testing center.

2. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Web Design

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Web Design is a professional certification program offered by Adobe. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the use of Adobe’s web design software and technologies.

The ACE program focuses on the skills necessary for creating and managing websites, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, and other related tools. The certification requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of web design principles, best practices, and industry standards.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the ACE program depending on your experience level with web design software and technologies. To get certified you must pass two exams: one focused on general web design concepts and the other focused on specific Adobe products.

The cost of the ACE program varies depending on where you take the exams. Generally speaking, it will cost around $200 USD for both exams combined.

3. Apple Certified Webmaster (ACW)

Apple Certified Webmaster (ACW) is a certification program offered by Apple to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and maintenance of websites using Apple technologies. The ACW certification is designed to validate the skills of web professionals who develop and maintain websites using Apple products such as Mac OS X, iLife, iWork, Safari, QuickTime, and other Apple web technologies.

The ACW certification requires passing two exams: an online exam covering basic knowledge of HTML/CSS/JavaScript and an advanced exam covering more complex topics such as server administration, database design, and content management systems. The online exam can be taken at any time from anywhere with an internet connection. The advanced exam must be taken at an authorized testing center.

The cost for the ACW certification varies depending on the country you are in and whether or not you are a student. In the US it costs $149 for both exams. It typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete both exams.

To get certified as an Apple Certified Webmaster you must first register with Apple's website and then take both exams. Once you have passed both exams you will receive your certification from Apple which will include your name and certificate number along with a digital badge that can be used on your website or other digital profiles to show off your new credentials!

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Web Applications

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Web Applications is a certification that validates a professional’s ability to develop and design web applications using Microsoft technologies. It demonstrates expertise in developing and deploying modern web applications and services using Microsoft Visual Studio, ASP.NET, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, and other related technologies.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the MCSD: Web Applications exam. To get certified, you must pass four exams: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 (70-480), Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications (70-486), Developing Windows Azure and Web Services (70-487), and Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions (70-488).

The cost of the certification varies depending on the country you are in but generally ranges from $150-$300 USD per exam.

5. Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE Web Component Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE Web Component Developer is an Oracle certification that validates a person's expertise in developing web components using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) technology. This certification is intended for experienced developers who have a strong foundation in object-oriented programming and web component development on the Java EE platform.

It typically takes between two to three months of study and practice to prepare for the exam. To get certified, you must pass a single exam, 1Z0-899: Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certified Expert Exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and has a duration of 150 minutes.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $245 to $295 USD.

6. IBM Certified Advanced Application Developer – WebSphere Portal

IBM Certified Advanced Application Developer – WebSphere Portal is a professional certification offered by IBM. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced application developers who are using IBM WebSphere Portal to create web applications. The certification covers topics such as developing portlets, creating themes, configuring security, and performance tuning.

To obtain this certification, you must pass two exams: C2180-401 (IBM WebSphere Portal 8.5 Application Development) and C2180-404 (IBM WebSphere Portal 8.5 Deployment and Administration). Both exams are multiple choice and require a minimum score of 70% to pass. The exams can be taken at Pearson VUE testing centers or online through Prometric.

The cost of the exams varies depending on your country of residence but typically range from $200-250 USD each. It usually takes around 2 hours to complete each exam.

Once you have successfully passed both exams, you will receive an official IBM Certified Advanced Application Developer – WebSphere Portal certification badge that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in this field.

7. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) is an online certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in Google Analytics. It is a free, online test that covers basic and advanced Google Analytics concepts. The test consists of 70 questions and takes 90 minutes to complete.

To get the Google Analytics IQ certification, you must first create a Google Partners account and then sign up for the exam. Once you have signed up, you can access the exam from your Google Partners account dashboard. You will need to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly to pass the exam.

The cost of the exam is free, however there may be additional costs associated with taking it such as internet access or any other resources you may need to use in order to complete it. Additionally, if you fail the exam, there is a fee for retaking it.

Overall, obtaining the Google Analytics IQ certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in Google Analytics and can help open doors for career opportunities within digital marketing and analytics fields.

8. W3C Front-End Web Developer Certification

The W3C Front-End Web Developer Certification is a professional certification program offered by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in web development technologies and practices. The certification covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, accessibility, and best practices for web development.

It typically takes about four months to complete the certification process. The first step is to register for the exam and pay the registration fee of $150 USD. After registration, applicants must complete a series of online courses covering the topics listed above. Upon completion of the courses, applicants must take an online exam which consists of multiple choice questions and coding exercises. Once they pass the exam, they will receive their official W3C Front-End Web Developer Certification.

The cost of the certification program is $150 USD plus any additional fees associated with taking the online courses or exam.

9. CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals for Web Professionals

CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals for Web Professionals is a certification program designed to provide web professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to understand basic computer hardware, software, and networking concepts. This certification is intended for those who are new to the IT field or have limited experience. It provides an introduction to the fundamentals of computer technology and prepares individuals for more advanced certifications.

The CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals for Web Professionals exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes or less. The exam covers topics such as operating systems, security, networking, storage, virtualization, cloud computing, and web development.

To get CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals for Web Professionals certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 100-900. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $120-$150 USD.

Once you have passed the exam and earned your certification, it is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. To renew your certification you must retake the same exam or complete continuing education credits (CEUs).

10. ACM Professional Certificate in Web Technologies

The ACM Professional Certificate in Web Technologies is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in web technologies. The certificate is offered through the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), which is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society.

The certificate consists of four courses that cover topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, jQuery, AngularJS, Node.js, MongoDB, and more. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be taken online at your own pace. The total cost for the certificate is $399 USD.

To get the ACM Professional Certificate in Web Technologies you must first register for an account on the ACM website and then purchase the certificate package. Once purchased you will have access to all four courses which you can take at your own pace. After completing all four courses you will receive a digital badge that verifies your completion of the program as well as a physical certificate that can be framed or displayed proudly in your office or home.

11. Brainbench HTML 5 & CSS 3 Master Certification

Brainbench HTML 5 & CSS 3 Master Certification is a professional certification program designed to assess and validate the knowledge and skills of web developers in HTML 5 and CSS 3. This certification is offered by Brainbench, an online assessment platform for employers and job seekers.

The Brainbench HTML 5 & CSS 3 Master Certification consists of two tests: the HTML 5 test and the CSS 3 test. Both tests are multiple-choice exams that measure a candidate’s knowledge of the latest version of these languages. The HTML 5 test covers topics such as document structure, text formatting, multimedia elements, and forms; while the CSS 3 test focuses on topics such as box model, selectors, backgrounds, positioning, and animation.

It typically takes around 2 hours to complete both tests. Candidates must score at least 90% in each test to pass and earn their certification.

The cost of taking the Brainbench HTML 5 & CSS 3 Master Certification is $99 USD per exam or $179 USD for both exams if taken together.

Do You Really Need a Senior Web Designer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation and goals. If you have significant experience in web development, then a senior web designer certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are looking to take your career to the next level or gain recognition as a senior web designer, then a certificate can be beneficial.

A senior web designer certificate can provide you with a competitive edge and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. It can also open up new opportunities for career advancement and provide access to higher-paying jobs. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider when deciding whether or not to pursue a senior web designer certificate. It may require significant study time and cost money in order to obtain the certification. Additionally, depending on the institution offering the certification, it may not be recognized by all employers or organizations in the field of web design.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a senior web designer certificate depends on your own goals and circumstances. If you feel that obtaining certification will benefit your career path, then it might be worth considering pursuing it. However, if certification is not necessary for achieving your desired outcome, then it may be better to focus on other aspects of your career instead.

Related: Senior Web Designer Resume Examples

FAQs About Senior Web Designer Certifications

Q1. What is a Senior Web Designer Certification?

A1. A Senior Web Designer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in web design and development. It validates the skills and knowledge required to design and develop modern, effective websites that meet user needs.

Q2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Senior Web Designer Certification?

A2. Requirements vary by certification provider, but typically involve passing an exam or completing a course of study related to web design and development topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, usability, accessibility, and graphic design.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified as a Senior Web Designer?

A3. The amount of time needed to obtain certification depends on which certification program you choose and how much experience you have with web design and development topics. Generally speaking, most certifications can be completed within 6-12 months of study depending on the individual's prior knowledge of web technologies and design principles.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming a Senior Web Designer?

A4. Most certifications require some basic understanding of web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, usability, accessibility, and graphic design principles. Additionally, many programs may require prior experience in web design or development before taking the certification exam or coursework associated with the certification program.

Q5 What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Senior Web Designer?

A5 Benefits include improved job prospects due to having an industry-recognized credential; increased credibility when working with clients; improved salary potential; access to exclusive resources; more opportunities for career advancement; and increased confidence when tackling complex projects related to web design and development