Data from the Bureau of Labor suggests that, in general, career earnings for workers holding a certification surpass those of workers without a certification or license. While the difference is not as extreme in graphic design as in other fields, certification can amount to a difference of several thousand dollars in salary numbers.
Chicago has been a design hotspot since the early twentieth century, with storied institutions like the Art Institute, the Society of Typographic Arts, and the Institute of Design emerging alongside a growing advertisement industry. The iconic Sears Catalog exists because of Chicago graphic designers creating the publication with careful attention to arranging text and images in such a way as to guide readers’ eyes around the page. While the current generation designers may use radically different tools like Adobe InDesign to execute page layouts, such principles pioneered by Chicago designers still guide the sort of work done today.
Noble Desktop: Graphic Design Certificate
Key Information:$2,995; 84 Hours (1-month full-time or 3 months part-time); free retake policy; six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions; conducted via Zoom; certificate program approved by New York State Department of Education
This crash course certificate program from Noble Desktop, a leading New York City design school specializing in graphic design, web design, and user experience design, offers an overview of fundamental graphic design concepts like typography, color, composition, and design theory, as well as the technical training in the core programs used by graphic designers to put these principles into practice, namely the Adobe Creative Cloud which includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Learn how to edit and retouch photos with Photoshop, create vector graphics with Illustrator, and design page layouts with InDesign. Completion of the program results in the award of a New York State-licensed certificate.
Learn Graphic Design
- Live & Hands-on
- In NYC or Online
- Learn From Experts
- Free Retake
- Small Class Sizes
- Certificate of Completion
Through a combination of live online classes with small classrooms of roughly 8-15 students and six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, this class ensures that you’ll get personalized attention to best facilitate your own learning goals. You can even create a custom schedule and cover the subject material in any order you would like.
This certificate program culminates with the creation of a portfolio of projects including social media graphics, logos, and cover art. This portfolio is a valuable resource that greatly increases your hireability by creating a reference bank that demonstrates your skills to potential employers.
Computer Training Source, Inc.: Photoshop Part 1
Key Information:$649; 1-day (8 hours); small class size; no prerequisites
Since 1991, Computer Training Source has offered software training classes throughout the Chicago area, with convenient training centers in Downtown Chicago, Schaumburg, and Naperville. With a commitment to small classes of about 10 students and a staff of trained instructors, Computer Training Source offers a student-centric experience while learning proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud software used in the field of graphic design.
The introductory course trains participants in the basics of Adobe Photoshop. Learn basic image manipulation capabilities with Adobe Photoshop. After a theoretical overview of design principles for graphic composition, participants will familiarize themselves with Photoshop's tools for adjusting and refining images. Activities are designed to provide experience working with color, retouching images with filters and other tools, creating layered images, and using masks.
Computer Training Source, Inc.: Photoshop Part 2
Key Information: $649; 8 hours; small class size; requires basic knowledge of Photoshop
This intermediate-level Photoshop course builds upon the skills taught in the introductory course and delves into some of the more complex uses of the application. Working with raster images and vector images, subjects include effectively using Photoshop’s many drawing tools, combining different modes of images such as illustrations and photos, colorizing and adding textures to images, and some advanced layering techniques using tools like masks and filters. This course also touches on practical strategies for automating tasks with Photoshop and for project management.
Computer Training Source, Inc.: Photoshop Part 3
Key Information:$699; 1-day (8 hours); small class size; advanced level; requires strong Photoshop skills
This advanced course covers the applications of Photoshop for print and digital production, with a strong practical focus on making detailed image adjustments in a workflow environment. Participants will learn techniques for retouching, editing, and repairing images while working with masks and channels. In addition to basic photo corrections and quick fixes, more advanced techniques like compositing with filters will be covered. The course concludes with practical considerations for producing and printing consistent images.
Computer Training Source, Inc.: Illustrator Part 1
Key Information: $649; 1-day (8 hours); small class size; no prerequisites
This 1-day class teaches students the basics of Adobe Illustrator, including drawing shapes, manipulating paths, and principles of basic typography. Also covers training with the Illustrator interface with such subjects as grouping content, ordering stacks of objects and layers, and exporting work for both print and web applications.
Computer Training Source, Inc.: Illustrator Part 2
Key Information: $649; 1-day (8 hours); small class size; basic Illustrator skills required
Building on the basic proficiencies covered in the Part 1 beginner class, the intermediate Part 2 teaches more advanced drawing and painting tools like perspective drawing, combining objects, creating custom brushes, and working with gradients and patterns. Also covers Illustrator’s tools for enhancing artworks like masks and graphic styles. Course concludes with practical considerations of content deployment and project management.
ONLC Training Centers: Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp
Key Information:$1,995; 5 days; for beginners and for those self-taught with basics of Creative Cloud; no prerequisites
ONLC Training Centers offers a remote instructor model of classes, whereby participants are granted access to ONLC facilities to complete the class, but the content is delivered through a live online format with the instructor operating from a remote location. Chicago residents are welcome to use the ONLC training center in downtown Chicago as well as a satellite training site in Schaumburg 25 minutes away. While ONLC does not conduct official Adobe Certified Professional certification exams at their training centers, their curriculum is designed to prepare participants with the requisite knowledge to perform well on these exams should they seek to schedule an assessment for formal certification.
This intensive Graphic Design Bootcamp is designed to build a foundation in graphic design by emphasizing the most important features of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and the affordances of each program. Course content focuses on image editing and compositing with Photoshop, vector graphics and illustration with Illustrator, and page design and layout for print and digital publishing with InDesign.
Ledet Training: Creative Design Bundle
Key Information:$5,495; 15 days; includes 8 separate 2-day classes; classes can be taken individually; access to Adobe software recommended
Ledet Training offers comprehensive training in Adobe Creative Cloud programs commonly used in graphic design, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Ledet offers the option to bundle together all of the classes needed to master the Adobe Creative Cloud tools necessary for a career in graphic design, an option that provides a significant discount of nearly $1,500 dollars compared to regular list pricing. While this bundle encompasses a complete package of classes needed to master Adobe design software, those with prior experience in any Adobe Creative Cloud programs can pursue individual classes that meet their current skill levels and training needs.
These classes cover all of the programs utilized by graphic designers, including Photoshop 101-201 for correcting and editing images, InDesign 101-301 for combining graphics and text into striking page layouts, and Illustrator 101-201 for creating scalable vector graphics.
Ledet Training: Adobe InDesign Bootcamp
Key Information:$1899; 5 days; no prior experience needed
In addition to the full Graphic Design bundle and individual courses, Ledet offers 5-day crash course bootcamps designed to be a fast, comprehensive way to learn Adobe Creative Cloud Software. The InDesign Bootcamp offers an avenue for those with little or no prior knowledge of the software to immediately develop the skills to use InDesign for creating page layouts and designing top-notch marketing materials. Participants will build a strong foundation in principles of typography, page layout, and document construction and the technical skills to bring their creative visions to life.
FAQ for Graphic Design Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
A certificate is a credential that confirms completion of a specific course or program of courses. Certificate programs are short-term training programs related to a specific skill, and are designed to prepare participants for a specific career. The primary investment here is to provide training, which makes a certificate an attractive option for someone who is looking to acquire new skills.
In contrast, a certification program is designed to assess, rather than strictly provide, skill proficiencies. A certification demonstrates proficiency in the skills, knowledge, and ability to perform a specific job. Whereas a certificate is typically awarded on completion of a training course, a certification often carries strict assessment requirements. Usually, earning a certification involves passing a standardized exam to prove mastery of the subject. The primary investment here is to evaluate and demonstrate proficiency, which makes a certification a useful tool for providing a tangible verification of one’s skills to an employer.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
The choice to enroll in a certificate or in a certification program largely depends on personal motivations for pursuing a program. As mentioned above, the distinction between the types of programs is that a certificate program provides training in a set of skills, whereas a certification program verifies an existing skill set.
If you are looking to develop new skills, a certificate can be an effective way of doing so.
Certificate programs have risen to prominence as a training method because they are a cheaper, faster alternative to traditional education at a college or university. Those without a bachelor’s degree or who hold a degree in an unrelated field might especially benefit from this sort of short-term, cost-effective training.
A certification may be the more appropriate option for someone already qualified to work as a graphic designer. As an official testament to an existing skill set, a certification can benefit tenured graphic designers in two primary ways. First, and most bluntly, it can be used as a justification for increased salary opportunities. While a certification is not the sole deciding factor in salary numbers, data collected by the Bureau of Labor does suggest that holding a certification does correlate to higher earnings. Secondly, a certification can be useful in pursuing more specialized positions. If, for instance, a graphic design job seeks a graphic designer with particularly advanced skills in layouts, being an Adobe Certified Professional in InDesign may demonstrate a specialized skill set well suited to the specific tasks of the position.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
While data from the Bureau of Labor suggests that only a small percentage of workers in design jobs hold a certification, and there are few jobs where certification is mandatory, certificate and certification programs can still be useful for boosting employment opportunities and salary outcomes. This is especially true for those in the middle of a career change. Without a strong background prior work experience as a graphic designer, a certificate or certification can be a good way of demonstrating proficiencies and meeting hiring requirements.
Forbes advises that while certifications may not be strictly mandatory, nevertheless a certification can still be a useful career move. More specifically, there are two potential benefits to becoming certified in finding a job. First, certificate programs are a fast, effective method of meeting hiring requirements, especially for those who pursue a graphic design career after earning a degree in an unrelated field. Secondly, a certification may make a resume stand out, demonstrating a serious commitment to your career and showcasing expertise in specific areas of graphic design.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
The content covered by a certificate program should be the first point of consideration when evaluating options. Before enrolling in a program, it is important to determine the gaps in your knowledge and how a program might help to address them. Because graphic design certifications rely so heavily on proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud programs, securing a certificate in new software can be a great way to learn the core skills for a career in graphic design. Since certificate programs focus on training new skills rather than demonstrating proficiency in existing ones, be sure to prioritize programs that focus on the Adobe Creative Cloud software with which you are least familiar. If a certificate program offers customization that allows participants to decide what content is appropriate and/or the order in which content is encountered, this can be a great option to tailor the training to specific needs and outcomes.
In addition to the content covered by the program, consider the mode of instruction, and how pre-existing work and life schedules may or may not be impacted by the schedule of a certificate program. Many programs operate on schedules that attempt to alleviate potential conflict, offering classes over the weekend or at night. However, many programs, and especially the intensive multi-day “crash course” options, operate during standard work hours. Generally, online options are more flexible than in-person classes when it comes to accommodating an existing schedule.
Another key consideration is the reputation of the organization offering the training or the certification. This is especially true for certification programs, which are intended to validate your skill set; a certification from a reputable organization will naturally hold much more weight than a credential from a lesser-known organization.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
The fastest, most efficient way of acquiring graphic design skills is to enroll in a formal class. Since Chicago has a long history as a hub for graphic designers, there are many organizations offering competitive training options in the area. Enrolling in an in-person class provides a great opportunity to interface with Chicago’s local design industry, making connections with potential peers and employers. Because Chicago has a robust scene, you can be sure that the class will be led by an industry veteran with whom you can interact in real time. This immediate access is the main benefit of an in-person class; your instructor can readily answer any specific questions, troubleshoot specific issues in the moment they arise, and adjust the focus of the class to best match the needs of the specific classroom.
While Chicago does have a thriving design industry, these in-person options are supplemented with various online resources from quality organizations around the world. The main benefits of enrolling in an online class relate to access and to flexibility. By considering online classes, you open the possibility of accessing training from prestigious institutions from around the world whose course objectives may better match the specific training you seek. Online classes are also more flexible when it comes to scheduling accommodations. Many online classes typically offer more options for nighttime or weekend timeslots to better accommodate pre-existing work and life schedules, not to mention the extra time saved by not adding a new destination to a daily commute.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Depending on your learning style and personal schedule, the choice between a live online or an asynchronous class may be a deciding factor in the ultimate decision between competing certificate programs.
A live online class should be favored by those who value direct, real-time access to an expert instructor. While an expert designing the curriculum and delivering the content is certainly valuable, one of the major benefits of a formal class comes from the in-the-moment interactions between instructor and student. In a live online class, the instructor will be there to answer questions as they arise naturally, provide direct feedback in the moment, and assist with troubleshooting any specific issues as they arise. Though an online class may not have quite the same “classroom feel” that an in-person class does, it certainly offers the same massive advantage of ready access to a trained professional.
Asynchronous classes may be a better option for those with incredibly busy schedules. Because many choose to pursue a certificate program while already working or studying full-time, finding the time to commit to a program with a regular schedule, even accounting for the more flexible scheduling time slots of an online class, can be a challenge. Asynchronous classes help to circumvent the difficulties of a busy schedule by offering full freedom to complete course content whenever you find the time, which can be a boon for those with both busy and irregular schedules.