[IxDA Discuss] hourly rates, price and value

[Mauro Cavalletti]

I am not sure I understand the idea of certification by IxDA. Not 
challenging it, just trying to have a better picture of the bennefits.

When I interview candidates, skills and portfolio are essential, and go 
first than anything else in my priorities. I also look carefully their 
experience and education. Depending on the time they are involved with IxD, 
the companies they worked for in the past might have more importance than 
education.

However, I give some importance to professionals educated in recognized 
programs. This is mostly because we already have good records in the 
industry about programs preparing really good professionals. Some graduate 
programs prepare students for thinking and practicing design from a longer 
perspective, what many times means they can grow and perfect their work. 
There are many problems involved in this path, including that most programs 
I know look for diversity, what means that we might find a number of 
candidates that are not the most appropriate fit for our needs.

Personaly, I would not give the same importance to a certificate. Unless we 
are talking about demonstrating training in very specific tasks (say AJAX or 
Usability Testing), it would not say much to me. And I don'y know if that 
type of information on a resume would make a diference. Certificates are 
quick solutions for short-term education. I think we would need years of 
education practice from an Institution before giving it credibility for 
certifying people. It would need proven records and critical mass, and those 
don't match with the "quick solution for an immediate need" scenario.


Mauro


Mauro Cavalletti
Creative Director
AKQA

http://www.akqa.com


>If our members are looking for some sort of professional credentials,
>it would be better to come from a professional organization such as
>ours instead of self-appointed companies. Members would would like
>this should speak up and say why. It was just an idea.
>
>Dan