AIGA Professional Designer Certification (AIGA PD)
The AIGA Professional Design Certification program represents a commitment to the design profession and to lifelong learning. This certification is geared towards professionals with at least one year of professional design experience, who are currently in—or aspire to enter—management or leadership positions.
About the AIGA Professional Designer Certification
The AIGA-PD Certification pathway is recommended if you:
- Have 1+ years of design experience
- Seek to differentiate yourself in a competitive marketplace
- Wish to create accountability and professional standards for design
- Are committed to your craft and professional practice
- Desire the distinction of AIGA-PD to elevate your value with peers and clients
Next Portfolio Assessment
Spring Assessment: June 3-13, 2024
Price
AIGA Professional Foundations Certificate
AIGA member: $579
Non member: $799
AIGA Professional Foundations Certificate + Portfolio Assessment (Full Certification)
AIGA member: $849
Non member: $1,099
Eligibility Criteria:
At least one year of professional experience in design
Application Deadlines:
AIGA Professional Designer (AIGA-PD) Professional Portfolio Assessments happen virtually throughout the year. We have opened up portfolio review slots for the first half of 2024 (February and June).
February Portfolio Assessment: Virtual
January 29, 2024: Payment Due
February 5, 2024: Review Slot Registration Deadline
June Portfolio Assessment: Virtual
May 20, 2024: Payment Due
May 27, 2024: Review Slot Registration Deadline
To earn the AIGA Professional Design Certification, there are three steps:
Step 1
Completion of the AIGA Professional Design Foundations Certificate. This includes both a learning and assessment component.
Step 2
Professional practice assessment via AIGA Professional Portfolio Assessment, which is conducted virtually throughout the year.
Step 3
An ongoing commitment to learning and to AIGA standards of professional practice and code of conduct demonstrated through continuing professional development.
AIGA's Professional Foundations is a required component of becoming and AIGA-PD certified designer. It is made up of four components:
-
AIGA Business Fundamentals for Designers (11 Hours)
-
AIGA Design Foundations (12 Hours)
-
AIGA Law for Designers (3 Hours)
-
AIGA Standards of Professional Practice (4 Hours)
For more information, please see the detailed descriptions.
For the portfolio assessment, you will be required to submit your best work from three (3) professional projects.
You will be asked to supply the following project information:
Project Title
Project Highlight
Project team
Role in the project
The project budget
Duration of the project
Project brief
Explanation of your research, design process and creative choices
Our assessors review candidate work according to the competencies outlined within our rubric. A successful application requires 70% or higher marks.
AIGA Professional Designer Certification
Ready to show your ongoing commitment to learning and to standards of professional practice? The AIGA Professional Designer Certification is for you.
