Top 10 UI Designer Certifications

Certifications for UI designers are important in the job market because they demonstrate an individual’s technical knowledge and skills. Companies often look for candidates with certifications when hiring, as it shows that the designer has a deep understanding of the best practices and trends in UI design. Additionally, certification can give designers an edge over other applicants who do not have them. Certifications also serve as a way to stay up-to-date on relevant technologies, as most programs require continuing education credits to maintain certification status. Ultimately, certifications are a valuable tool that can help UI designers stand out from the competition and secure better job opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for UI Designers and discuss how they can help enhance a UI Designer's career.

What are UI Designer Certifications?

UI Designer Certification is a certification program that provides professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design effective user interfaces. This certification can help professionals to become more competitive in the job market, as it demonstrates their proficiency in UI design principles. It also allows professionals to stay up-to-date on new trends and technologies related to UI design. Additionally, those who have earned this certification are often seen as more credible and knowledgeable by employers, giving them an edge over other applicants. Finally, having this certification may open up opportunities for higher paying jobs or promotions within an organization.

Pro Tip: Consider taking a UI Designer Certification course to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful UI Designer. This certification will help you stand out from other applicants, as well as give you the opportunity to apply for higher-level positions in the field.

Related: What does a UI Designer do?

Top 10 UI Designer Certifications

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

1. Certified UI/UX Designer from BrainStation

Certified UI/UX Designer from BrainStation is a comprehensive certification program that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designer. The program covers topics such as design fundamentals, usability testing, prototyping, research methods, and more.

The program takes approximately 12 weeks to complete, depending on the student’s availability. Students have the option of attending classes in person or online. In-person classes are held at BrainStation campuses across Canada and the US. Online classes are conducted through live video conferencing sessions with instructors.

To get certified as a UI/UX Designer from BrainStation, students must pass an assessment at the end of their coursework. This assessment includes both written and practical components that evaluate their knowledge of design principles, usability testing techniques, research methods, and more.

The cost of the Certified UI/UX Designer from BrainStation certification program varies depending on whether you take it in person or online. In-person courses typically cost around $3,000 while online courses range from $1,200 to $2,800 depending on the length of the course.

2. Adobe Certified Expert in UX Design

Adobe Certified Expert in UX Design is a professional certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have mastered the skills necessary to design and develop user experiences for web and mobile applications. This certification is designed for those who are experienced in using Adobe tools to create user experiences, from concept to execution.

The certification process includes an online assessment, which consists of multiple-choice questions about Adobe tools and techniques used to design user experiences. The assessment takes approximately two hours to complete and covers topics such as wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, accessibility, and more.

In order to get the Adobe Certified Expert in UX Design certification, applicants must score at least 80% on the assessment. The cost of the exam is $99 USD. Once you pass the exam, you will be able to download your official certificate from Adobe’s website.

3. Certified User Experience Professional from Human Factors International

Certified User Experience Professional (CUX) from Human Factors International is a certification program that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated their expertise in user experience design and research. The certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of user experience design.

The certification process involves three steps:

1. An online application and assessment to evaluate your knowledge and experience in the field of user experience design.

2. A two-day workshop where you will learn more about user experience design principles, processes, and best practices.

3. A final exam that tests your knowledge of the material covered during the workshop.

The cost for the CUX certification program is $3,500 USD, which includes the online assessment, workshop fees, and exam fee. The entire process takes approximately 6 months to complete from start to finish.

To get started on your journey to becoming a Certified User Experience Professional (CUX), you must first submit an online application form with Human Factors International. Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to attend a two-day workshop where you will learn more about user experience design principles and processes as well as best practices for creating successful user experiences. After completing the workshop, you will then take a final exam that tests your understanding of the material covered during the workshop. Upon passing this exam, you will receive your CUX certification from Human Factors International!

4. Certified Interaction Designer from Nielsen Norman Group

Certified Interaction Designer (CID) is a professional certification program offered by the Nielsen Norman Group, an international user experience consulting firm. The CID program was created to recognize and validate the skills of interaction designers who have demonstrated expertise in designing effective user interfaces for digital products.

The CID program consists of two parts: an online assessment and a practical exam. The online assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that evaluate your knowledge of interaction design principles, techniques, and best practices. This part of the exam takes approximately two hours to complete. The practical exam requires you to design a user interface for a given scenario. This part of the exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To get certified as an Interaction Designer, you must first register for the CID program on the Nielsen Norman Group website and pay the associated fee ($695). Once registered, you will be provided with access to study materials and practice exams which can help you prepare for both parts of the certification exam. After completing both parts of the exam, you will receive your official Certified Interaction Designer certificate from Nielsen Norman Group.

The cost to become a Certified Interaction Designer is $695 USD.

5. Certified Usability Analyst from the Usability Professionals Association

The Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) is a professional certification offered by the Usability Professionals Association (UPA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in usability engineering and user experience design.

To become a CUA, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as user research, usability testing, information architecture, interaction design, and accessibility. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to sit for the exam, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of full-time professional experience in usability or user experience design; completion of at least one course in usability engineering or user experience design; and successful completion of a pre-qualification quiz.

The cost for taking the CUA exam varies depending on whether you are a UPA member or non-member. For UPA members, the cost is $350 USD; for non-members, it is $550 USD.

6. Certified Professional in User Experience Design from the Interaction Design Foundation

The Certified Professional in User Experience Design from the Interaction Design Foundation is an internationally recognized certification program for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in user experience design. The certification program is designed to assess a professional’s understanding of the fundamentals of user experience design, including core concepts, processes, principles, and best practices.

To obtain the certification, applicants must complete a series of online courses offered by the Interaction Design Foundation. These courses cover topics such as user research, usability testing, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and more. The entire course takes approximately 40 hours to complete.

Once you have completed the coursework and passed the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will be awarded your Certified Professional in User Experience Design certificate. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your expertise in UX design and can help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

The cost of obtaining this certification depends on which courses you choose to take. The entire course package costs €499 (approximately US$600). However, if you are only interested in taking some of the individual courses rather than all of them at once, then you can purchase them separately for €199 (approximately US$240) each.

7. Certified Product Designer from InVision

Certified Product Designer from InVision is an online certification program that helps designers demonstrate their expertise in the principles of product design. The program consists of three courses: Design Thinking, User Experience Design, and Interface Design. It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete all three courses and receive the certification.

In order to get the Certified Product Designer certification, you must first sign up for an account on InVision's website. Once you have signed up, you will be able to access the three courses that make up the certification program. You can take each course at your own pace and progress through them as quickly or slowly as you'd like.

The cost of the Certified Product Designer certification is $99 USD. This fee covers all three courses and provides access to a digital certificate upon successful completion of the program.

8. Certified Mobile App Designer from Apple Inc.

Certified Mobile App Designer from Apple Inc. is a certification program designed to help developers create and design iOS apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It is an official certification program offered by Apple that validates the skills of app developers in creating and designing mobile applications for the iOS platform.

The certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical project. The written exam tests your knowledge of iOS development fundamentals, including Swift programming language, Xcode IDE, Cocoa Touch frameworks, UIKit framework, and more. The practical project requires you to build an app using the technologies you have learned in the written exam.

To get certified as a Mobile App Designer from Apple Inc., you must pass both the written exam and the practical project. Depending on your experience level and how much time you are willing to devote to studying for the exams, it could take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete the certification process.

The cost of getting Certified Mobile App Designer from Apple Inc. varies depending on which country you are located in and which type of certification package you choose (basic or premium). Generally speaking, basic packages start at around $200 USD while premium packages can cost up to $1,000 USD or more.

9. Certified Web Accessibility Specialist from Deque Systems

Certified Web Accessibility Specialist (CWAS) from Deque Systems is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in web accessibility. It is the only professional certification program that focuses on web accessibility and is recognized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The CWAS program consists of two exams: the Foundations Exam and the Advanced Exam. The Foundations Exam covers topics such as understanding web accessibility best practices, implementing accessibility standards, and testing for accessibility issues. The Advanced Exam covers topics such as developing an accessibility strategy, creating accessible content, and troubleshooting complex accessibility issues.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete both exams depending on individual experience level. To get started with the CWAS program, you must first register for an account at Deque University which provides access to all of the study materials needed for the exams. After registering for an account, you can purchase either exam or both exams at once. The cost of each exam is $299 USD.

Once you have purchased an exam, you will be able to access it online and take it at your own pace within a set time limit. Once you have completed the exam, your results will be sent to Deque Systems who will review them and issue your certification if you pass.

10. UX Design Certification from CareerFoundry

UX Design Certification from CareerFoundry is an online program designed to help you learn the fundamentals of user experience design. It covers topics such as user research, usability testing, wireframing, prototyping and interface design. The program is self-paced and takes approximately 8 weeks to complete.

To get the certification, you must complete all coursework within 8 weeks and pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher. You will also need to submit a portfolio project demonstrating the skills you have learned throughout the course.

The cost of the UX Design Certification from CareerFoundry is $1,299 USD. This includes access to all course materials and support from mentors throughout your learning journey.

Do You Really Need a UI Designer Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a UI designer certificate in order to become a successful UI designer. While having a certification can be beneficial, it is not the only factor that can make you successful.

UI design requires creativity, technical skills, and problem solving abilities. If you have these qualities and have the drive to learn, then you don't necessarily need a certificate to become a successful UI designer. Many employers value experience more than credentials when hiring for UI design positions. With enough experience, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and abilities as a UI designer without needing a certificate.

Certifications can be helpful if they are from reputable organizations or institutions and are related to the type of work that you want to do. For example, if you are interested in mobile app design then having an Apple or Google certification would be beneficial because companies tend to value those certifications more highly than other types of certifications.

In addition, some certifications have been created specifically for UI designers so that employers know that the candidate has certain fundamental skills required for the job. These certifications can provide proof of proficiency in areas such as user interface design principles and usability testing techniques.

Overall, while having a certificate may give you an edge over other candidates who don't have one, it is not necessary for success as a UI designer. Focus on building up your portfolio with impressive projects and gaining practical experience in order to stand out as an applicant.

Related: UI Designer Resume Examples

FAQs About UI Designer Certifications

Q1: What is a UI Designer Certification?

A1: A UI Designer Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates the holder’s expertise in user interface design. It is typically obtained by passing an examination or completing an accredited course of study.

Q2: What are the benefits of obtaining a UI Designer Certification?

A2: Benefits include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and recognition for your skills as a professional UI designer. Additionally, certification can help you stay up-to-date with industry standards and best practices.

Q3: What are the prerequisites for obtaining a UI Designer Certification?

A3: Prerequisites vary depending on the certifying body and type of certification being sought. Generally, candidates must have some experience in user interface design and related technologies as well as knowledge of core design principles.

Q4: How long does it take to obtain a UI Designer Certification?

A4: This depends on the certifying body and type of certification being sought. Generally, candidates should expect to spend at least six months studying and preparing for their certification exam.

Q5: Are there any renewal requirements for keeping my UI Designer Certification valid?

A5: Yes, most certifying bodies require certified professionals to renew their credentials every few years in order to maintain their validity. Renewal requirements may include taking additional courses or exams or participating in certain activities such as attending conferences or workshops.