Academic Certificate Template in PSD

A study by N. Zubanov and N. Hoogveld revealed that there was a significant improvement on the second midterm exam for the 30% of the 300 students who received recognition in front of their peers for their first midterm exams. Giving students credit for doing an excellent job with their studies will help boost their morale and motivate them to strive harder. In this light, we have ready-made Academic Certificate Templates that you can customize in Adobe Photoshop. These templates have creative background designs and graphic illustrations that are perfect for your school or university's graduation diplomas, award certificates, and so much more! Create amazing certificates with our templates today!

How to Create an Academic Certificate in Adobe Photoshop

An academic certificate is a type of professional document; hence, its design and layout should be formal. Although the use of illustrations and artworks is allowed, you must determine what is most appropriate relevant to its purpose. Below, you will find some tips and tricks in creating an academic certificate in Adobe Photoshop.

1. Less Is More

Although you can still include illustrations in an academic certificate, it is best to maintain minimalism with your designs. You can make use of simple line art or geometric designs, but sway from using large images and illustrations. Moreover, you should also stick to using a minimalist layout and a professional format that emphasizes the smooth flow of your designs and texts. 

2. Stylish Borders Make All the Difference

Since you can't go crazy with artworks, you can use creative borders instead. You can choose the best border style by determining the purpose and feel of the event. Your borders can range from simple lines to elegant, intricate borders that can immediately capture the attention of the reader. Remember to choose a color that complements the color scheme you're going for in your certificate.

3.Spruce It Up with Typography

Aside from borders, you can also make your academic certificates fancier and more elegant with the help of typography. You can highlight the name of the recipient by using an intricate or bold font style. However, a tip to remember is to choose the font style that best suits the purpose of the certificate, i.e., bold font is perfect for informal for classroom recognition. In contrast, a cursive font style is better for formal events and purposes like graduation. 

4. Details, Details, Details!

Design and layout aside, the details for the certificate should be complete. The name of the recipient, statement of certification, date of issuance, average or grade, etc. should always be present in the certificate regardless of the purpose. Moreover, you should highlight the title of the certificate, e.g., Certificate of Excellence, Certificate of Recognition, etc., on the topmost part of the certificate. You should also emphasize the name of the school and the contact information.

5. Get the Right Endorsement

You can establish credibility for your certificate by acquiring endorsement from the management or executives of your institution. The PTO president, school principal, or school district superintendent can affix their signatures on the signature line below your content.