Adobe Dreamweaver is the starting point of study for almost all web designers. It's reputed to be the most utilised web-development platform globally. The full Adobe Web Creative Suite ought also to be learned in-depth. This will introduce you to Flash and Action Script, amongst others, and will prepare you for the ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) or an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) certification.

In order to develop into a professional web-designer however, there are other things to consider. You'll need to study various programming essentials like HTML, PHP and MySQL. A practical knowledge of Search Engine Optimisation and E Commerce will give your CV some extra credibility and make you more employable.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, without a doubt, already replacing the more academic tracks into the IT industry - but why has this come about? Vendor-based training (as it's known in the industry) is more effective in the commercial field. The IT sector is aware that such specialised knowledge is essential to handle a technically advancing workplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the key players in this arena. Academic courses, for example, can often get caught up in a great deal of loosely associated study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. This prevents a student from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.

Assuming a company understands what areas need to be serviced, then they simply need to advertise for a person with the appropriate exam numbers. Syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and do not vary between trainers (in the way that degree courses can).

Many trainers provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. It's not a very interesting way to learn and not ideal for studying effectively. Research over recent years has always confirmed that connecting physically with our study, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.

You can now study via interactive CD and DVD ROM's. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you'll learn your subject through the expert demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by utilising the practice lab's and modules. Be sure to get a study material demo' from the training company. You'll want to see slide-shows, instructor-led videos and interactive labs where you get to practice.

It's unwise to select online only courseware. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.

Make sure that all your accreditations are current and also valid commercially - don't even consider studies which provide certificates that are worthless because they're 'in-house'. If the accreditation doesn't feature a conglomerate such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then you'll probably find it could have been a waste of time and effort - because no-one will recognise it.