CIW certification V's ACITP

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Hi

I am an experienced graphic designer (print based mainly) and I want to expand my understanding of Web design along with Flash (which I know little about).

Have spoken to Home Learning Direct (HLD) (after leaflet came through the door-grrr!) and all seemed OK. They are certified by ACITP. But checking on the internet everyhting seems to be CIW certification.

Does anyone know of the Dreamwaver and flash course from HLD and of the value of ACITP certification verses CIW web design courses and certification?

 

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Well, the real question is who, or what, is ACITP.
It all looks very professional, the crest is very nice as is the website but it doesn't seem to bear close scrutiny in the way that something like the BCS does.

On the other hand, CIW seems to be fairly well known in the industry. Don't forget though, it is not a 'sponsored' certification. It teaches you a lot about web design but it won't turn you into a flash expert.

 

Hi shamana,

I had a look at the course contents adn the ACITP course contents are a little out of date and not as in-depth as you would need. CIW would be the better option in the long run.

In your case go for exams 1D0-510, 1D0-520 or just 1D0-520 by itself.

Flash wise you will be up and running, but as any Flash Designer will tell, there is a hell of a lot of stuff to learn. It all comes down to you and what you want to specialise in. Not into it yet, do not bother as you are not interested enough otherwise you would have learnt it by trial and error. I have been to Web shows and the web designs teams have there own Flash gurus. They design the Flash guy/gal just does his stuff to fit into the whole.

Keimos

 

That's a good point actually.
People talk about 'web design' but in reality it is an industry and not a one man show.
Although technically one person could possess the skills to put together a decent website, for something big you need a team. That means a graphic designer, an artist, a database guy, a code/script person, a flash/actionscript designer, a photographer, a PR person to write the text, a manager to hold ot all together and someone who understands search engine optimization.

There are loads of different skills in demand, you just have to decide what you are good at. As you study you will find that there are some areas that appeal more to you than others. Try not to be too blinkered when starting out.

 

Thanks guys. All makes sense. I know what it takes to become an expert in anything - a lot of experience. I need to get the root information about this area of design sussed so that I can be part of the team and know what everybody is doing... and why! Also have a few projects I need to create websites for myself.

I want to do the course via home learning, I did think the CIW course was thorough, but they said it was only for PC's and I work on a MAC??? Anyone done a homelearning web design course on a MAC?

 

What's a Mac?

Is it a type raincoat?

 

Are you sure about that last bit? As far as I can see from the CIW site you *must* have associate status to take the 520 exam.

Harry.

 

My advice - forget CIW, you'll end up with about a days training on flash... and end up doing networking, and a bunch of other stuff you don't need. I'd say, do the macromedia courses and get dreamwaver and flash certs from them. Oh, and if you've not already done so, get some xhtml experience

 

I'm sorry - but I feel that a good Webmaster needs quite a bit of networking knowledge!

Obviously if you are just designing and nothing else then networking is not so important, but a good all-round webmaster should have a fair few skills!

Just my 2p worth!

Harry.

 

its all about priorities and from what he's said, I think his priority is to get the commercial skills relevant to his skills - as the man said, web design and flash. I think the macromedia courses would map better to his needs than CIW. If he wants to learn about disk partitions and netiquette he can do it at his leisure.

 

Hi All,

Made a mistake meant to put 520 + 525 for exam no's

A correction for those that do not know, you can sit any CIW exam in any order, by not sitting the foundations all you do not get is the CIW Professional or Master Status.

clyde

netiquette and servers are an important part of understaning the process, disk partitions are not involved. Try A+ for that.

An all round webbie needs to understand, if self employed or employed, how the net works and how they are able to host sites. Thats the difference between pro and amateur. The amateur just designs and posts the pro has the whole lot to deal with, which is why there will always be places out there for people with design ability as well as technical knowledge. I could go into it more but that a whole different debate.

3rd out of 173,000,000 at the last count for our preferred search term

Keimos

 

disk partions ARE covered in CIW foundations. And I'd hardly describe netiquette as THAT important

 

Good to see the discussion hotting up! - I agree with all of you really - A good web designer needs the understanding of networking and the structure of the WEB as well as more of a focus on the design sides.

Do the CIW books on WEB design contain all the course information? Does anyone know if there is an updated version due to be printed (can only find one that covers exams 420/425)

PS . this is a first for me - using a forum. Enjoying the connections and appreciating the feedback....

"breath deep and listen to the rocks growing"

 

Welcome Shamana,

My apologies Clyde, disk types are covered but not in any great depth


Netiquette - Internet - Great big network - I think it is a necessity

The only CIW study materials available for 520 + 525 are at ComputerPrep

Keimos

 

netiquette, oh come on! The guy is a graphic designer - at the risk of presumption he's gonna want to how his skills can translate onto the media of the internet, not what a smiley does!

I still say macromedia courses are the way to go - its what the industry wants from candidates also

 

Hi Clyde and Shamana,

See the syllabus of exam 520 (Adobe/Macromedia is heavily involved)

Basically agree

Smells of a deal somewhere or what?

Keimos

 

I am currently doing a course with Skillstrain 'Web Master' but have completed 'Dreamweaver' with Home Learning, when completed you get a certificate equivalent to a diploma in Web design and the oppotunity to sign up for the Internet Proffesional List or something, I didn't do this as it was sixty pounds to add one letter to your name (personally i don't think it makes a difference)
I'd stick ti CIW

 

I did a HLD course when it was The Learning Library. Bad experience, waste of time and money. See other posts for info.
Get books and practise and pick other peoples brains. ATCIP is part of HLD/TLL/ empress fianance/aquas finance or whatever they are calling themselves now. IMHO ACITP is not worth the paper it is printed on.

 

Hi

I had a look at the ACITP website I also looked for Home Learning Direct but this seems to be the Home Learning College?

One of the 'directors' of ACITP is also involved (not sure how) with the Home Learning College. Also, on the home study section of the ACITP website Home Learning College is given as the home study provider for ACITP. I think the two may be involved with each other, hardly an independent vaerification of Home Learning College!

The problem is that anyone can set up a home study 'college' and run courses at inflated prices leading to 'certificates' or 'diplomas' that aren't worth the paper they are written on!

Neil

 

Hi Guys,

I am a new bird out here! So HELLO to everyone!

I spent a long time in sales & marketing and have decided to acquire relevant skills to create & host websites for small businesses. I've found your discussion (initiated by Shamna) quiet interesting. Because, I find myself in the simillar crossroad: CIW Vs ACITP!

Could you guys advise me what should be the right one for a person like me, who don't have any IT skills (apart from MS Office)?

Kind Regards.
ProWeb