Researchers have found that the design of a site is critically important to attracting and keeping visitors. For instance, a recent Forbes article explains that close to 90 percent of online users won’t come back to a website if they have a bad experience there, and about 60 percent say that if they can’t find what they want within about 5 seconds of being on a site, they will simply go elsewhere. As a result, web design has become a sought-after job skill.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), it is likely to be a secure profession in the future too. The agency reports that between 2021 and 2031, web development and digital design jobs will increase by 23 percent, which is significantly faster than the average rate of only 5 percent. Overall, according to the BLS, there will be 20,000 job openings in this category over the next ten years. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area ranks in the top ten nationally for both employment levels and wages of web and digital interface designers.
NYC Career Centers: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: NYC Career Centers is based in New York City, and it offers a Web Design Certificate that runs for 5 weeks full-time or 5 months part-time. Tuition for this program is $4,995. There is also an option to learn live online if you are unable to commute to the school. The certificate program is licensed by the New York State Department of Education, and there are 162 hours of instruction in total. All students get the option of a free course retake within one year, which can be a great way to refresh the skills covered in this course. Finally, NYC Career Centers offers two financing options: an installment plan or a twelve-month, no-interest financing plan.
This class covers a comprehensive range of different web design skills. Students learn coding with HTML, which is used for web content. They also learn CSS for styling, and JavaScript as a tool for adding interactivity. Included in the course is both a basic and advanced class in HTML and CSS for web design. In addition, instructors teach students how to create webpage layouts in Figma, which can also be used to help them optimize graphics. There is also a class focused on Git, and another class that covers Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap.
Students also learn to work with WordPress to build websites. The WordPress class covers using plugins for increased functionality, and installing WordPress themes for customizing appearance. The Web Design Certificate also includes a unit focused on UI design which includes design principles such as color, layout, and typography, and visual conventions, standards, and trends.
Students who enroll in this certificate program also work on a portfolio throughout the course, with real projects that they can use to showcase their skills to potential clients or employers. The program also includes eight private mentoring sessions, which allow students to receive additional help and advice on anything else they need. This can include things such as resume and job application advice, and portfolio review.
Pratt Continuing and Professional Studies: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: The Pratt Institute has Campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and also offers online classes. The Pratt Continuing and Professional Studies division offers a number of certificate programs, including a Web Design Certificate. Classes take place either in-person or via Zoom, and students also get free access to designated campus labs. Tuition is approximately $6,000.
Students who enroll in this program can expect to learn a wide range of both core and advanced web design concepts, and will master industry-standard tools like frameworks and content management systems. Covered topics include coding, UX and UI, and responsive design. Students also work on a portfolio, and learn about best practices for presentation and networking.
There are four required classes: Coding I: Introduction to Web Development, Coding II: Web Development Advances, Figma for UX/UI, and Introduction to Web Design. In addition, students choose two electives from: Branding and Digital Marketing, CAD Design, Digital Product Design, Fashion New Media, Graphic Design, Human-Centered Design, Photography and Video Production, and UX/UI Design.
Noble Desktop: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: If you’re interested in studying web design, you’ll find a comprehensive Web Design Certificate course atNoble Desktop. Noble Desktop is based in New York City, and this course is available either in-person at its Manhattan campus, or live online. It takes six weeks of full-time study or five months of part-time study to complete the entire course, and tuition is $4,995. If you need financing, Noble provides an installment plan and a financing option, both of which have no interest or fees. In order to be successful in this class, students should know the basics of Photoshop, or be comfortable using another Adobe app such as Illustrator or InDesign. All students receive detailed print or eBook workbooks. They also get the option of a free course retake within a year.
The Web Design Certificate is focused on designing web pages and emails, and building websites, and students will learn to create websites that can be used on either mobile, tablet, or desktop devices. It is organized into nine units: Figma, UI design, web development with HTML and CSS, advanced HTML and CSS, Flexbox in addition to Grid and Bootstrap, JavaScript, front-end tools, HTML for email, and WordPress.
Some of the skills that instructors focus on include how to use Figma for designing UI, building websites with WordPress, coding layouts that can adapt to various sized screens, and coding the front-end of web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Other content includes learning how to use Git to track changes in code and to collaborate with other developers, using JavaScript for animation and interaction, and building layouts quickly with Bootstrap.
Also included in the program are eight one-on-one mentoring sessions where students can get expert advice about their portfolio and LinkedIn profile. These sessions can also be used to receive job search advice, and work on challenging concepts from class. Noble Desktop does not provide formal job placement, but instructors spend time focusing on helping students prepare for success in the real-world, and cover tips and best practices for finding work. As part of the course, students also work on a number of real projects that they can include in their portfolios.
ECornell, Cornell University: Web Design and Development
Key Information: eCornell is an external education unit of Cornell University, an Ivy League college located in Ithaca, New York. It offers a number of online courses including a certificate program in web design and development. Web Design and Development is a 3-month course, with about 7-10 hours of work required each week. Tuition is $3,750. Students can also choose to make 6 monthly payments of $675 or 3 monthly payments of $1,300.
This certificate program is based on a design-first, code-second approach to web design. Students learn to balance both form and function, designing and creating sites that are focused on fulfilling the needs of users. The curriculum covers assessing those needs, using mental models in web design, and best practices. It also includes JavaScript, HTML and CSS, and jQuery.
Six courses are required to earn the certificate, and these courses must be completed in order. In Framing Front-End Web Development students learn how to go beyond code, to understand what is really important in web development. In Structuring Content with HTML, they learn how to use this coding language. After that, they take a course called Styling Web Content with CSS. Next is Composition and Responsive Design, which is about creating attractive and functional websites. The fifth course is called Improving User Experience with Interactivity, and it is focused on the use of JavaScript for functionality. Lastly, students take Collecting Data with Forms, where they learn how to collect data to analyze and evaluate their designs.
The New School: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: The New School was founded in 1919, and is based in New York City. It offers both in-person and online classes. Its Web Design Certificate is an online course made up of five classes, and takes 6-9 weeks to complete. Tuition is $3,855.
The Web Design Certificate is intended to teach students industry-standard web design software and techniques, and give them a good understanding of how to use typography, animation, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to design and build websites. Students will learn to design and code the front-end of a website, and also to launch interactivity and effects.
This is a project-based course, and there are five required classes: Introduction to Web and Mobile, Web Design Production: JavaScript for Designers, Mobile Design Patterns and Emerging Platforms, Interactive Typography for the Web, and Design Systems. The curriculum includes interviews and video lectures with experts in the industry. Students also get to interact directly with faculty, and collaborate online in small groups.
FAQ for Web Design Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
While a certificate and a certification sound very similar, they are actually quite different from one another. A certificate is something you receive after completing a specific training course. Every educational institution has its own unique certificate programs. For example, after you take the six-week Web Design Certificate program at Noble Desktop, you get a certificate to show that you have completed the course.
On the other hand, a certification is a standardized credential that is the same no matter where you earn it. In most cases, you have to pass an exam–usually administered by a third party–or meet certain industry standards to earn a certification. For instance, Adobe offers certifications for a number of its products, and to earn them, students must pass a standardized exam.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Certificates and certifications can both help you advance in your web design career, however, designers generally pursue each of these for slightly different reasons. A certificate is one of the most comprehensive types of web design classes, and is a great option if you want to learn new web design skills. Certificate programs are generally one of the more expensive types of web design courses, and often take months to complete. In contrast, certifications are usually more specialized, and people often take them to prove their knowledge of a particular skill. For instance, you can earn an Adobe Illustrator Certification, by passing a 50-minute exam on that application. As certification exam provider Certiport explains, “Third-party validation of skills is far more powerful than self-promotion of knowledge.”
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
There are a few jobs where the employer might require that you have a particular certification, but in general, most web design jobs don’t require certification. However, even though becoming certified may not be required to find a job, it can still be a good idea. Being certified is a way to prove to potential employers that you are proficient in certain skills, and can help you stand out compared to other candidates. Adobe, which offers a number of different certifications, explains that getting certified both increases your knowledge and communicates your commitment and dedication to employers. It says, “Becoming educated as an Adobe Certified Professional boosts your confidence and helps communicate credibility to the people and organizations you want to work with. You’ll gain practical skills and a competitive edge when you’re looking for a job in design and digital media.”
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
There are a few different class formats for certificate programs, including in-person, live online, and asynchronous. In order to decide which program is right for you, you’ll need to consider a number of different factors such as how you learn best, and what type of program fits best with your schedule.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
If you’re looking for real-time instruction and in-person interaction with your instructor and fellow students, then an in-person class may be the best option for you. While they do require a commute, which can be time-consuming and expensive, in-person classes also tend to be very engaging. On the other hand, if you want a bit more flexibility, then you might prefer an online option. Not only can you attend an online class from any location that you want, but you can pick from online classes all over the country.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
When it comes to online web design classes, you’ll find both live online and asynchronous classes. Live online classes take place live, just like in-person ones, however, you attend by logging in on your computer. You still get real-time interaction with your instructor, and the opportunity to interact with other students. A downside to this format is that you need to attend at the scheduled class time. In contrast, if you take an asynchronous class, you can learn at your own pace. Since asynchronous classes are pre-recorded, you can stop and start the lesson whenever you want to, even rewinding or fast-forwarding when you need to. Additionally, asynchronous classes are often less expensive than live ones.