Web designers build interactive websites for a wide range of users and purposes. They might work for a single organization or for a web design firm that serves multiple clients. If you’re interested in a career designing and building engaging websites for individuals and organizations, it might help to learn about web design certifications. In this article, we define web design certifications, explain why they’re important, and explore 8 popular web design certification programs for designers of varying experience levels.
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What are web design certifications?
Web design certifications are documents that show you’ve completed a specific web design program and passed an exam. Often, these certifications include a badge that you can attach to your email signature to show your expertise. Because web design is a wide field of study, there are many certification programs that focus on different aspects of the website design process, including UX, Agile methodology and scripting languages. Many certifications feature renewal processes to ensure that designers learn about updated methods and tools, so a designer might take additional courses or exams every few years to keep their certificates current.
Benefits of Web Design Certifications
Earning a web design certification can show potential employers and clients that you have skills in specific areas of web design, which might give you an advantage in the hiring process. Many certification programs include training and mentorship, so you can develop your skills while adding credentials to your resume. These programs might also include projects you can include in your web design portfolio, so you can show potential employers or clients examples of your skills in web design.
8 web design certifications
These web design certifications show your knowledge of web design concepts and techniques. Some are accessible for beginners, while others might require more experience and knowledge of advanced web design principles. Here are eight popular web design certifications:
1. Web Design for Beginners: Real World Coding in HTML and CSS, Udemy
This certification program, offered by Udemy, might be ideal for a beginning web designer because it teaches you how to code websites in HTML and CSS, common web design languages. To earn the certification, you complete a series of online modules, receiving your certification at the end of the program. Udemy also offers a wide range of more advanced web design certifications focusing on different skills, languages and platforms. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: self-paced, 11 hours of video
Format: online
2. User Experience Design Certification, General Assembly
User experience, or UX, design refers to creating websites that are easy for users to navigate and use. General Assembly offers several types of UX design certification programs on multiple campuses or online, so you can choose the program that fits your schedule and location. This certification shows that you have mastered the basic techniques of UX design and might be appropriate for a web designer in the early stages of their career. After you complete every module in the certification program’s catalog, the General Assembly provides you with a certificate. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: varies by course
Format: in-person or online
3. NN/g UX Certification, Nielsen Norman Group
The Nielsen Norman Group offers professional certification for UX design. This certification can show potential employers or clients your skills in building interactive, functional websites for a wide range of audiences. To earn this certification, you can take any five workshops and exams at in-person or virtual Nielsen Norman conferences. You can also combine a Nielsen Norman series or group training with additional workshops to meet your requirements. For each workshop, you take an hour-long exam administered online. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: five days of training and five individual hour-long exams
Format: in-person or online
4. Adobe Certified Expert
The Adobe Certified Expert exams measure your knowledge of programs and tools in Adobe products. Earning this certification for one or more Adobe products can show your skills in using this software to create graphics and videos to integrate into web design. Adobe offers these exams online and you can choose to prepare for each exam using Adobe’s recommended training material or courses with an independent vendor. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: 50 minutes for exam
Format: online
5. Azure Developer Associate, Microsoft
Microsoft Azure is a platform many web designers and developers use to create websites. This certification program verifies that you have key skills and can build website applications using Azure. Microsoft administers this exam online and provides free review materials and options for paid classes to help you prepare for the exam. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: two hours for the exam
Format: online
6. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner exam measures your knowledge of agile methodologies. Many web designers use Agile methodologies for project management, and earning an Agile certification can give you an advantage if you hope to become a lead web designer or other management professional. PMI administers the exam in a testing center to ensure exam security, but you can take online courses from PMI or other companies to prepare for the exam. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: three hours for the exam
Format: in-person
7. Zend PHP Certification
This certificate, offered through Zend by Perforce, certifies your knowledge of PHP, which is a common scripting language used on many websites to create interactive features and other components. You can take this exam in a testing center or online using a special program. While you can take the exam by itself, you can also purchase training programs and practice material from Zend and other vendors. Professionals who pass the Zend exam receive a diploma and become part of Zend’s engineer directory. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: 90 minutes for the exam
Format: online or in-person
8. CIW Web and Mobile Design Certifications
CIW offers a range of web and mobile design certification programs that can help you develop key skills in online marketing and site design. You can choose to earn a certification as a User Interface Designer, Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist or other web design expert. CIW offers its certification exams remotely and in testing centers and you can purchase study materials or courses from CIW or other vendors. Here are more details about this certification:
Enrollment fee/cost: yes
Length: 75 minutes for the exam
Format: in-person or online
I hope you find this article helpful.
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