What are the most recognized certifications out there for all the major areas of Web Design/Development. Aside from using a portfolio to display work, what are the most recognized certs in the graphic design, web design, animation, programming, e-commerce, seo, server management, etc... A little feedback from cert holders could also help.

 

 

Examples

• CIW Certified Internet Web Pro - Is this recognized worldwide?
  
• Google Advertising Professionals - Anyone have this?
  

The only one I've ever heard of is the CIW, but to be honest, if you have a look at job boards, it's extremely rare that an employer will ask for certs. Experience and skills are looked on more favourably in web design, not a piece of paper IMO

The only one I've ever heard of is the CIW, but to be honest, if you have a look at job boards, it's extremely rare that an employer will ask for certs. Experience and skills are looked on more favourably in web design, not a piece of paper IMO

That's exactly what I was thinking too. I've been debating whether it's worth getting certs, but it seems like portfolio and ability is King.

If you are self motivated you can learn all you need to learn from web tutorial sites such as HTML Dog or w3c school. In this industry its more about what you know rather than what qualifications you have, if you need that extra motivation then a course is a good way to get it as you will have deadlines to meet, but its not a must.

I am doing CIW course.

 

My reason for doing this because all the other course had areas that i have already done or felt i can learn online.

 

I wanted more tech and background knowledge about internet and web techs. (this course i found some areas very usefull) such as Project Management, information on writing codes. However some areas such as networks wasn't much use to me... however still handy information to know.

 

I am almost ready for my test, (just need to refresh the last module)

 

I also learn a lot online and from books

 

hope that helps

 

E x

I am doing CIW course.

 

My reason for doing this because all the other course had areas that i have already done or felt i can learn online.

 

I wanted more tech and background knowledge about internet and web techs. (this course i found some areas very usefull) such as Project Management, information on writing codes. However some areas such as networks wasn't much use to me... however still handy information to know.

 

I am almost ready for my test, (just need to refresh the last module)

 

I also learn a lot online and from books

 

hope that helps

 

E x

 

I am still considering doing the CIW foundations practice test and exam, to see how it goes - just under $250...not spending anything for books. I also ran into another site just about certs, http://www.certforums.co.uk. Some of them have numerous certs and seem to make top dollar. I just want to verify where I stand with knowledge of the subject. Basically, a way to feel worthy.

 

As for portfolio, I don't exactly have one at the moment. All I got is my BBA in e-business, but I want some technical cert to show also...and I don't care about MCSE, I find it boring. I'm hoping CIW will offer something fun.

Hi,

 

I passed the CIW master designer v5. In my opinion, it was money down the drain. The only thing it had going for it was a structure that allowed you to see the relations between various aspects of web design.

 

To that end, I created a visual map of the entire Foundations syllabus. Hopefully it will be of some use to those of you studying it.

 

It looks like this:

 

 

 

You can download a scalable pdf below

topicMap.pdf

Wow, thats an impressive visual. I'm glad none of the topics on there looks completely foreign to me, although some parts I don't know much about.

 

As far as it's worth, I don't expect to really learn from doing it...but it's gotta hold some weight if your trying to move up the ladder. I would say the difference between being good and being amazing is being able to see and understand the bigger picture. So it may not hold a practical value, more than it helps you to see things broadly. I value vision.

 

May I ask how you made the visual map?

Hi,

 

May I ask how you made the visual map?

 

I drew a 'mind map' of all the topics as I learned them. It was too chaotic so I simplified it and made it follow the exact syllabus. I made it in Illustrator. The tricky bit was apportioning the correct space to each item and groups of items, but I think it works well in showing the relationships.

Hi,

 

I forgot to mention one important thing. The CIW master designer certification is something of a misnomer. The course will not teach you anything about the process of design. There's no mention of how to generate ideas and develop creative solutions to design problems. There's also no mention of visual communication and how important the internet is in this regard.

 

So, even if you did the course you'd still need to learn how to actually design.