However, you don’t necessarily have to go to college and get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in this field to start your career. In fact, many people in Atlanta just obtain certificates or certifications because they’re much cheaper and require far less time, making it easy for you to jump right into this field.
Earning a certificate helps prepare you for this career by teaching you web design essentials and making your training much easier. Certifications provide a professional-grade title that you can use when applying for jobs at one of the many web design companies in Atlanta. Here’s what you need to know about the many high-quality certificate and certification options in this city, as well as the major differences between certificates and certifications.
Georgia Tech
Key Information: Cost: Varies depending on the year. Length: Varies depending on the year. Other Amenities: Fast-paced learning environment with real design experts.
Georgia Tech is a popular community college that provides several unique training options that may work well for many people. For example, the Georgia Tech UX/UI Boot Camp may suit those people interested in web design because it can teach them how to produce attractive and engaging user interfaces that make sense for their customers. This boot camp is designed for people with minimal experience and covers a broad range of different subjects.
For example, you can learn a user-centered design process, handle visual prototyping, master wireframing, create high-quality user interfaces, and produce web development packages that will help you become a better designer. This class is taught by experts with real-world experience in user interface and web design, which ensures that you progress at a pace that makes sense to you. It includes on-site training and provides you with a completion certificate.
Ed2go
Key Information: Cost: $89 to $350. Length: Varies based on course. Other Amenities: Helps you connect with various Atlanta colleges to learn web design.
Learning with ed2go provides an interesting opportunity for people interested in web design. They provide an online portal where you can sign up for various web design courses with Atlanta-based colleges. These include options like the University of West Georgia and Gwinnett Technical College in nearby Lawrenceville. The format for each of these programs will vary based on which you take and gives you the support you need to earn a web design certificate.
These classes typically focus on teaching you about HTML, CSS, Figma, Git, WordPress, international web design protocols, and how to make intermediate websites. Interestingly, you can mix and match classes if you want, though you have to earn a certificate directly from the institution matched for you on ed2go. As a result, this learning opportunity requires a little more investigation and research to ensure that you find an option that makes sense for you.
Emory University
Key Information: Cost: Length: Under three months. Other Amenities: A digital graphic design certificate that you can add to your online resume to highlight your skills.
Emory University provides multiple continuing education courses that can help you progress in your career. For example, their Graphic Design Certificate features a hands-on training program that teaches you how to handle graphic design, integrate it into web design, and produce a useful design portfolio. While this course focuses more in graphic design than on the ins-and-outs of website creation, it’s a useful certificate for designers to earn.
For example, you can add this certificate to your resume when applying for web design jobs. Employers will see that you took extra care to master various graphic design concepts, which you can then use when creating high-quality sites. Just as importantly, this university provides workplace development support, meaning it should be easier for you to identify a potential career and progress further on the market, depending on what path you want to take.
Noble Desktop
Key Information: Cost: $3,495 to $3,995. Length: 108 to 132 hours. Other Amenities: Free retake option, support setting up your class, and one-on-one mentorship options.
Noble Desktop is a New York City training company that has created some of the best tech and business education programs of the last 20 or so years. Thankfully, you can attend their classes in Atlanta using their virtual training! These online courses are often a little more in-depth than other training options and may even be available at far more reasonable prices, depending on which class interests you. Thankfully, their web design programs are very diverse and include a broad range of different learning fields that might interest you.
For example, their Web Design Certificate program teaches you about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as using software like Figma to design webpages. This class remains one of their most popular options and can help you become a better web designer. Similarly, their Front-End Web Development Certificate includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript information, as well as help learning tools like Git to produce attractive and engaging web designs. Each of these courses will help you become a more skilled and professional designer.
If you’re more interested in user interface or user experience design, Noble Desktop can help you! Their UI Design Certificate teaches you the ins and outs of producing attractive web-based user interfaces and much more. On the same note, their UX & UI Design Certificate covers a broad range of subjects, including how to prototype products for optimal user experiences. Each of these learning options is worth your consideration if you’re interested in web design or other fields related to this engaging market.
FAQ for Web Design Certificates
If you’re interested in becoming a web designer, it’s important to understand your training options as much as possible. Many people pursuing this career have several questions about certificates and certifications that are very important to answer to ensure that you pick the training option that works well for you. Read through the following answers so that you fully understand what you’re getting into when you sign up for a certificate or certification course.
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
While it’s true that the terms “certificate” and “certification” sound nearly identical, they’re actually quite different. As a result, it’s important to understand how they vary to ensure that you get the most appropriate training for your needs. First, a certificate is something you earn when completing a specific learning program. It indicates that you’ve completed your education successfully and lets potential employers grasp your knowledge and experience quickly.
By contrast, a certification is a professional-grade title that requires taking an extensive exam to earn. You typically need to earn a specific amount of experience before taking and passing a certification test such as on-the-job training or a college-based education that prepares you for a career. Certifications usually hold more weight than a certificate, though certificates also showcase your skills and help employers make informed decisions when building their teams.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Whether you should get a certificate or certification for web design varies depending on your potential employers. Some may only require a specific training certificate or even hire people with a strong creative portfolio. Certifications are a little less important in careers like web designs because many employers value creativity and experience more than education. That said, some employers may want specific Atlanta-based certifications before hiring you.
For example, certifications can help you stand out by providing you with an extra title you can use on your resume and before applying for jobs. These include terms like “Accredited Web Developer, ” which highlight your abilities more fully than a certificate. Just as importantly, these unique certifications prepare you for the challenging world of web design by forcing you to understand critical information and how to apply it in real-world design scenarios.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
As mentioned in the previous section, web designers don’t necessarily need a certification to find a job in Atlanta. The high demand for designers and the importance of creativity in this field make creative portfolios just as important as a high-quality certification. That said, there’s no reason why you should avoid certifications or certificates when starting this career! Often, earning one can help you stand out from other applicants with similar experience levels.
For example, let’s say that you’re applying for a job with 10 other people who have great creative portfolios and who have the same amount of hands-on experience as you. However, only three of you have training certificates, while you have a professional-level certification. Your employer is likely to rate you and the other two people with certificates a little higher and even prefer you because of your certification. While not a job-success guarantee, certs can help.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Most certificate programs come in either in-person or online environments. Each of these options has different benefits that make them worth exploring. Just as importantly, many are suited specifically to many unique needs to help various learners progress more effectively. Here’s what you need to know about these options to guide your training experience.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
In-person classes in Atlanta are a great option if you’re someone who needs to learn web design in a hands-on environment. Typically, these courses immerse you in a group of like-minded people who can help you become a better designer. They also provide training materials, like computers and high-quality design software, that you can use to progress. You also get live professorial support from a web design expert.
That said, online courses also have many benefits that make them worth your time. For example, you can take virtual classes wherever you want, meaning you don’t need to find ones just in Atlanta. Many people in the area get digital training from professors in Chicago, New York City, and elsewhere to become skilled web designers. Even better, online education includes a few learning styles, including live and asynchronous courses.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Live virtual classes take place at specific times and include in-depth training from a real professor. Each course takes place at unique times, meaning that you get regular lessons that help you become a better web designer. These classes work well if you like a more strictly scheduled experience and need feedback from a professor regularly. That said, they do have some limitations, including struggling to meet your needs if you miss a class.
Thankfully, asynchronous classes can help by providing a unique training experience that you can take whenever you want. They typically include previously recorded lessons arranged in a guided series. For instance, you could watch a video on basic web design topics, rewatch it to improve your understanding, and move on to other lessons later. Though you won’t get live professorial support, these lessons can help you learn at whatever pace you want.