This is not a lightweight
certification. You must have at least three years’ experience in graphic design
or illustrator. You must also be pretty familiar with Adobe Bridge,
Adobe Design, and Photoshop. Since experience is the greatest teacher, be sure
you have conceptual design and comp creation experience, as well as familiarity
with input devices such as scannersand tablets. Be sure you can check off the
exam prep outline with confidence and have studied all listed topics.
There are 53 questions and a survey that
must be completed within 60 minutes. Your score must reach the 66% level to
qualify you as passing the Adobe CS4 exam.
Despite the grueling preparation required the benefits of this and many other
Adobe certifications are innumerable. Your time and effort will be given back
to you in success and dollar signs as your career advances.
Here are some highlights of the topics you
will want to focus on:
1. Workspace navigation, all aspects of
drawing including basics, creating shapes, pixels, tools, gradients, Live
Trace, Image Trace, and symbols and symbolism are key components.
2. Color aspects will include: selection
and adjustment, swatch creation, color groups, the Kuler panel, and working
with Pantone Plus libraries.
3. Painting will require knowledge of fills
and strokes, using brushes, transparencies, and blends. Creation of and working
with gradients, meshes, and patterns.
4. You will further have to be able to work
with all aspects of type, creating special effects, working with web graphics,
and printing.
Plenty to study, but Adobe Illustrator
certification is worth it.