Design Theory Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in design theory, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have many questions, such as how a certificate will help you get a job or how a certificate program differs from other design classes. This article aims to answer these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path toward a design theory certification. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Design Theory?

Design theory is a system that explains how a design works and why it works that way. Every choice that a designer makes has a specific effect on the audience. For instance, a design can communicate, direct, invite, entice, or excite the viewer. Design theory is a way to understand how and why this happens. It gives designers a deeper understanding of how various design choices work together to communicate a specific message. 

When studying design theory, users will learn about design's key elements, including alignment, repetition, contrast, hierarchy, and balance. These elements all have a specific effect on an audience and are an important part of communicating a message in any design. For instance, contrast emphasizes particular aspects of a design or evokes certain feelings in the viewer. Balance can create a feeling of tension or stability, both of which affect the viewer in different ways.

Designers who understand design theory can make better creative choices because they know how these choices will affect an audience. They combine a knowledge of design elements with the specific purpose a design intends to achieve. Thanks to understanding how design works, designers can create a finished product that looks the way they want it to and does what they intend.

Read more about what design theory is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Design Theory?

Design-related careers exist in different industries, and design theory is an essential foundation for many jobs. Designers work in fields like advertising, video editing, magazine publishing, and website creation. They create an array of different products, including advertisements, website graphics, and product packaging. Some designers work on digital designs, such as social media graphics, while others design for non-digital products, like books or business cards.

Almost every industry needs designers, so there will likely be a design job to match every interest. Web design is one popular field that involves creating and maintaining websites. Motion design is another popular design career. In this job, designers apply graphic design principles to filmmaking and video production. Augmented reality design is a newer design field. Designers who work in augmented reality enhance the real-world environment with virtual content, helping to improve the way people interact with the world.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

While they may sound the same, certifications and certificates are quite different. A certificate is something a student receives after completing a particular program of study. For example, after finishing Noble Desktop’s six-week UI Design Certificate program, students receive a certificate showing they have completed the course. Educational institutions all have their own certificate programs, each with unique curriculums and learning objectives.

In contrast, certifications are standardized credentials that are the same no matter where they are earned. Students usually have to sit for an exam or meet specific industry standards to get a certification. Third-party groups give exams. Adobe Certified Professional is an example of a certification. To earn it, students need to master Adobe Create Cloud software and prove their mastery by passing an exam.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Design Theory

Designers wanting to earn certification will find that many different schools offer certificates in a variety of design topics. For instance, Coursera has certificate programs in UX design and graphic design. Udemy also has a graphic design certificate. Noble Desktop has a long list of design certificates, including a UI Design Certificate and a Graphic Design Certificate.

Some schools also help students get certifications. For instance, NYC Career Centers has a number of different Microsoft certification courses, where students can gain expertise in various Microsoft programs and then take an exam to gain industry-recognized certification. Designers who want to become Adobe Certified Professionals can prepare for those certification exams by taking Adobe classes at Noble Desktop.

Should I Get Certified in Design Theory?

In some cases, employers require designers to have particular certifications. However, even if it isn’t mandatory, a certificate or certification can be valuable to anyone working in design. These qualifications show the designer is proficient in specific skills, which can make them more attractive to potential clients or employers. A design certificate or certification can help designers advance within their fields or take their careers in different directions. Because certificates and certifications often make designers more valuable, some employers even cover the cost of certification.

Learn Design Theory with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

No matter your schedule or learning style, you can find a design theory course at Noble Desktop. The school runs many different in-person classes at its Manhattan campus, as well as a variety of online courses. Whether online or in-person, all class groups are small and feature instructors who are experts in their fields. In addition, Noble offers a free retake option, where students can choose to retake a course once within a year. Students who opt for the free retake can gain additional design skills without paying for another class.

Design classes come in many different forms. Design bootcamps are one popular way to learn design theory and other design skills and can be a good way for students to master new skills quickly. Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp is just one of many different design bootcamps offered by Noble Desktop. In this class, students learn graphic design theory and techniques. For students interested in other types of design, Noble provides a long list of different bootcamps, including a Sketch Bootcamp and a UI Design Bootcamp.

A design certificate can be a good option for those who want more in-depth training. These courses generally run longer than bootcamps and provide a deeper level of design education. Digital Design Certificate is one of Noble’s many certificate classes in the design field. This course is intended to create well-rounded Digital Designers and includes vital design concepts and theory. Like many other bootcamps, it also provides job support.

Key Insights

Certifications and certificates demonstrate that you are proficient in certain design skills and can be a valuable asset.

• A design certificate shows that you have completed a particular design course.
• Certification is a standardized credential you can earn by passing a third-party examination on a particular design topic.
• Getting certified can help you advance in your design career.
  
  

A number of different design certificates are available through Noble Desktop, including certificates in motion graphics, video editing, and digital design.