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Best art director certifications
Art director certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an art director to employers. However, not all art director certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for an art director are Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), and Web Graphics and Multimedia Certificate.
Below is a list of the best art director certifications. Obtaining an art director certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for art directors
| Rank | Art director certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | CIDQ |
| 2 | Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | AMA |
| 3 | Web Graphics and Multimedia Certificate | IWA |
| 4 | Certified Dreamweaver 8 Developer (MMCP) | Macromedia |
| 5 | Program Design Specialist | IFPA |
| 6 | Certified Graphics Communications Manager (CGCM) | IPMA |
6 best art director certifications
1. Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ)
The NCIDQ Examination consists of three separate exam sections, the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC), that measure a candidate's proficiency in interior design principles and application of knowledge to protect public health, safety and welfare. Two of the exams, IDFX and IDPX, are multiple choice exams.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)
Being a top marketer means continually enhancing your skills as well as highlighting your accomplishments. The American Marketing Association's Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program gives you a tangible, convenient way to do both. You can earn the PCM designation by passing a comprehensive exam covering the key areas of marketing. Developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts, the PCM program meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Web Graphics and Multimedia Certificate
Equips the student for work as a Web graphic artist, creating illustrations, pictures, buttons, and other images for use on the Web, as well as the ability to create interactive multimedia designs in Flash or other programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Dreamweaver 8 Developer (MMCP)
The Dreamweaver 8 Developer certification represents a professional level of expertise in the activities that demonstrate an individual's competency as a Dreamweaver developer. A certified individual should thoroughly understand the Dreamweaver application, web page design, web page authoring, and supporting technologies.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
5. Program Design Specialist
The IFPA Program Design Specialist Certification prepares you to design exercise programs for specific client populations, eliminate training plateaus, and achieve maximum results for your clients. This course covers 40 individual exercise programs to create your own personal training arsenal. The IFPA Program Design Specialist Certification is also designed to teach the student advanced principles in strength training program design.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Graphics Communications Manager (CGCM)
The In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association's (IPMA) Certified Graphic Communications Manager (CGCM) designation was created in 1976 to establish a professional standard of proficiency for the in-house graphic arts and printing management profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for an art director?
The best art director certification is Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ). The Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) is awarded by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this art director certification:
- To become a certified Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What certifications can impact an art director career and salary?
The Professional Certified Marketer certification will help you to secure an designer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An designer's average salary is $59,951 whereas art directors make an average salary of $88,367.
The most common combination of art director certifications include: Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), and Web Graphics and Multimedia Certificate.
Online courses for art directors to earn certifications
1. Visual Design (Part Time)
Gain the vocabulary and tools to tackle diverse design challenges on the job. Kickstart your portfolio and create beautiful, responsive designs for the web. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
2. Promotional Materials Every Musician Needs
As the saying goes, first impressions are everything, especially in the arts. That's why it's so important to have the skills and knowledge you need to create effective promotional materials that will help you stand out from the crowd. In this course, you will learn everything you need to know about creating powerful promotional materials that effectively showcase your talent and enhance your professional image. From artist bios and captivating headshots to polished resumes/CVs, persuasive...
3. Photoshop and Photography Digital Art Compositing Course
Learn Adobe Photoshop CC and photography by designing levitation digital art composites from four photoshoots...
4. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
5. Graphic Design Mastery: The FULL Branding & Design Process
Follows the FULL Graphic Design Process for A Company: Logo, Ad, Social Media, T-Shirt, Package, Website Design & More!...
6. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
7. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Advanced Training Using Adobe CC
Project-Based Learning For Intermediate Designers: Use Photoshop, Lightroom, and Other Adobe Creative Cloud Programs...
8. Android Material UI Design Masterclass with Adobe Xd
Learn to Design Mobile Apps following the guidliness of Material System Design using Adobe Xd...
9. Master Graphic Design & Software with Practical Projects
Conquer Popular Graphic Design Projects: Logo, Package, Magazine, Book Cover Design, Branding, Digital Graphics & More!...
10. Photoshop CC for Beginners: Adobe Photoshop Course
This Adobe Photoshop CC course will teach you the basics of Photoshop for web design, graphic design, photography & more...
11. 27 Photoshop CC Projects + 547 Photoshop Essentials Template
Photoshop for busy business owners, includes 27 projects, 547 Photoshop essentials templates or learn tocreate your own...
12. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...
13. Graphic Design using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Learn the fundamentals of the 3 most important design applications in the creative industry...
14. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Bestselling Beginner Course! Use Photoshop, Illustrator, & In Design for logo design, web design, poster design, and more...
15. Adobe Photoshop CC: A Beginner to Advanced Photoshop Course
You can learn Adobe Photoshop CC. Graphic Design, Photo Editing & Retouching, Learn it all with this Photoshop class...
16. Affinity Designer: The Complete Guide to Creating Vector Art
Comfortably learn to create quality vector-based graphics and illustration with confidence and ease...
17. Graphic Design Masterclass Intermediate: The NEXT Level
Up Your Graphic Design Skills: Logo Design, Photo Manipulation, Package Design, Infographics, Portfolio Building, Grids!...
18. Creativity Course by a Creativity Coach Art & Innovation
Creativity & Innovation for Innovators, Artists, Entrepreneurs, Writers, & Students - By a Professional Creativity Coach...
19. Learn Professional 2D Game Asset Graphic Design in Photoshop
Become an exquisite game designer and start creating game art today!...
20. Digital Painting in Photoshop: Create Amazing Concept Art
Create stunning concept art with Adobe Photoshop and learn the features to aid in that process...