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Best visual designer certifications
The best certifications for a visual designer are Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP), Certified Usability Analyst, and Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ).
Visual designer certifications demonstrate your competency as a visual designer to employers. However, not all visual designer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best visual designer certifications. Obtaining a visual designer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
4 best certifications for visual designers
| Rank | Visual designer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) | IWA |
| 2 | Certified Usability Analyst | HFI |
| 3 | Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | CIDQ |
| 4 | Certified Digital Designer (CDD) | ADDA |
4 best visual 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 Usability Analyst
HFI-Certified Usability Analysts have a clear understanding of research-based principles of designing interfaces from the perspective of the end user. They perform data gathering, task analysis, and usability testing. They pinpoint the usability problems and offer design solutions. The usability analyst brings the critical success factor to bear throughout the development life cycle. That is, designing for the user.
- 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?
3. 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)
4. 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)
What is the best certification for a visual designer?
The best visual 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 visual 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.
What certifications can impact a visual designer career and salary?
The Certified Usability Analyst certification will help you to secure a user interface designer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A user interface designer's average salary is $95,327 whereas visual designers make an average salary of $86,495.
The most common combination of visual designer certifications include: Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP), Certified Usability Analyst, and Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ).
Online courses for visual 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. Visual Elements of User Interface Design
This design-centric course examines the broad question of what an interface is and what role a designer plays in creating a user interface. Learning how to design and articulate meaning using color, type, and imagery is essential to making interfaces function clearly and seamlessly. Through a series of lectures and visual exercises, you will focus on the many individual elements and components that make up the skillset of an interface designer. By the end of this course, you will be able to...
6. User Experience Design Essentials - Adobe XD UI UX Design
Use XD to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, UX design & Web Design...
7. Learn Figma: User Interface Design Essentials - UI/UX Design
Master Figma app to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
8. 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...
9. 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!...
10. The Complete User Interface Design Bootcamp - Sketch UI/UX
Master Sketch software to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
11. Learn Figma for Web Design, User Interface, UI UX in an hour
Learn Figma to design Beautiful App, Web designs, UI UX Design. User Interface, Prototyping for virtual App Experience...
12. Learn User Experience Design from A-Z: Adobe XD UI/UX Design
Learn how to become a professional UX/UI Designer and create beautiful websites and applications from scratch...
13. UI UX Design Hybrid from Figma to HTML CSS and JavaScript
Learn how to become a Full-Stack Designer with User Interface Design, User Experience Design, Web Development, Bootstrap...
14. Complete Web & Mobile Designer in 2023: UI/UX, Figma, +more
Become a Designer in 2023! Master Mobile and Web Design, User Interface + User Experience (UI/UX Design), HTML, and CSS...
15. UI UX Design & Prototyping using Adobe XD
Learn Adobe XD for UI/UX Design, User Interface, User Experience Design & Adobe XD Prototyping...
16. Adobe XD Masterclass: Learn Web Design UI & UX Design
Complete course for web design in Adobe XD! You'll look like a superstar designer, even if you're a beginner!...
17. 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!...
18. Master Web Design in Photoshop: Complete UI/UX Masterclass
Learn UI/UX and how to create stunning website Everything you need to know about web design in 2023 All in Photoshop...
19. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
20. Become a UI/UX Designer Everything You need to know
Complete guide to UI and UX basics and UI Design , Motion , Interactive Prototype and Weekly Tutorials...