Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best freelance designer certifications
The best certifications for a freelance designer are Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP), Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Certified Digital Designer (CDD).
Freelance designer certifications demonstrate your competency as a freelance designer to employers. However, not all freelance designer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best freelance designer certifications. Obtaining a freelance designer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for freelance designers
| Rank | Freelance designer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) | IWA |
| 2 | Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | CIDQ |
| 3 | Certified Digital Designer (CDD) | ADDA |
| 4 | Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) | Certiport, In... |
| 5 | Certified Graphics Communications Manager (CGCM) | IPMA |
| 6 | Program Design Specialist | IFPA |
| 7 | Certified Agile Developer (CAD) | GAQM |
| 8 | Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | AMA |
8 best freelance designer certifications
1. Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. 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)
3. Certified Digital Designer (CDD)
Professional Certification is an on-line examination provided by ADDA to establish a credentialing system based on an individual's competency level. The examinations are based on years of experience or training level. Examinations are Professional Level but are available to students. Examinations may be taken at any approved testing site or through a proctor approved by ADDA. Professional Certification through ADDA is a 3 year lifespan, from date of certification and requires renewal.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
For those seeking employment that requires demonstrating the ability to use digital media needed to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications, Adobe Certified Associate is a certification program that validates the skills of job seekers.
- 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? No
5. 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)
6. 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)
7. Certified Agile Developer (CAD)
Agile approaches help teams respond to unpredictability through incremental, iterative work cadences, known as sprints. Agile methodologies are an alternative to waterfall, or traditional sequential development. Agile, a popular method of delivering top-quality software on schedule through a collaborative, iterative approach. Certification helps in understanding the key principles of Agile software development, which promote faster release cycles, better deliverable's and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. You’ll gain knowledge on policies and process improvements that can enhance interactions between developers and project and program managers. Agile software development, uses iterative, feature-driven, customer-focused Agile practices to develop applications that meet user requirements. In this certification, you also gain practical experience performing each role within an Agile team.
- 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
8. 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)
What is the best certification for a freelance designer?
The best freelance designer certification is Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP). The Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) is awarded by the International Webmasters Association. 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 freelance designer certification:
- To become a certified Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
The most common combination of freelance designer certifications include: Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP), Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Certified Digital Designer (CDD).
Online courses for freelance designers to earn certifications
1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)
Launch a future-proof career designing digital experiences that power revenue, user loyalty, and product success. Distinguish yourself as a designer by compiling a portfolio to showcase solo, group, and client projects to employers based on UI design and Agile methodologies...
2. User Experience Design (Part Time)
Translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
3. UX Designer
Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs...
4. Product Design
Learn the steps you need to turn an idea into reality. By the end of this course you’ll learn how to bring an idea from concept to hand off for development and onto creation of a prototype...
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. T-Shirt Design Workshop 02: Mixed Media Design
Create T-Shirt Designs using Photoshop, Illustrator, and hand-drawing techniques...
7. 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...
8. Intro to UX Design
Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place! In this two-hour livestream, we’ll explore the decision-making process that separates a good user experience from a great one, and learn some tools that you can implement in your own UX process today. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to begin your UX Design journey!...
9. T-Shirt Design Masterclass In Photoshop Sell Your T-Shirt
Design Stylish TShirt Photoshop With Adobe Photoshop CC and Learn How To Earn Money By T-Shirt Design...
10. T-Shirt Design Workshop 01: Foundation
Design a t-shirt like a professional: specialty printing methods, fabrics, inks, dyes, and washes...
11. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...
12. Business Card design with Photoshop CC - for beginners
An easy step by step guide on how to design a professional business card on Photoshop CC for complete beginners...
13. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
14. How To Start A T Shirt Transfer Printing Business From Home
Learn how to run your own t shirt transfer printing business working from home...
15. Graphic Design Masterclass Intermediate: The NEXT Level
Up Your Graphic Design Skills: Logo Design, Photo Manipulation, Package Design, Infographics, Portfolio Building, Grids!...
16. Logo Design Masterclass: Learn Logo Design and Illustrator
Learn logo design by applying principles and techniques in Adobe Illustrator CC and Dimension CC. For beginners + more...
17. Android Material UI Design Masterclass with Adobe Xd
Learn to Design Mobile Apps following the guidliness of Material System Design using Adobe Xd...
18. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
19. Photoshop For T-shirt Design: For Beginners
Learn how to use Photoshop to create awesome, Hot Selling T-shirts...
20. Learn Web Design using WordPress & Start Freelancing
Build wordpress websites using elementor & find freelance web design/development clients to start web design business...