New Study Profiles $15 Billion U.S. Graphic Design Business from 2004 - 2009; Forecasts Growing Market for Freelancers
As of 2004 the U.S. graphic design industry has over 16,000 individual businesses, 60,000 employees, and over 74,000 freelancers. Industry wide, design firms annually generate $7.8 billion in revenues and purchase about $165 million in capital equipment, while freelancers account for over $3.4 billion in revenues and nearly $46 million in equipment-buying each year. The report is now available for download at http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/graphicdesign.html
Harrisville, RI (PRWEB) December 14, 2004 – Strategies for Management, Inc.
(SFM) has just published “The U.S. Graphic Design Business 2004-2009”. Providing
an accurate snapshot of the U.S. graphic design industry, the report, now
downloadable from SFM’s e-store, highlights and analyzes the industry's major
economic trends and demographics, including revenue and capital purchasing
levels for both design businesses and freelancers. The study also provides
forecasts and predictions about the industry's likely changes and growth through
2009. Report buyers have exclusive password access to a private website that
will be updated through mid-2005 for the latest news and information resources
about the graphic design business.
The report is available for $2875 and
is downloadable Adobe Acrobat PDF and Microsoft Excel file at http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/graphicdesign.html. The Excel
file includes all of the tables and graphs of the report. The table of contents
may be viewed at http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2004/12/12/188255/Table_of_Contents_of_SFM_Graphic_Design_Report.pdf
SFM
president Dr. Joseph Webb said this report presents a clear economic overview of
the graphic design industry. “In the past, much of the economic and demographic
information related to the size and scope of the graphic-design industry was
inaccurate, conflicting, and didn't show true trends that adjust for inflation.
Because of this the important role of this industry has often been overlooked or
underestimated by vendors and suppliers of design-related products and
services.”
Some of the report's findings, based on historical and
forecasted data include (all figures in 2004 US dollars):
-- Total
industry revenues for both graphic-design businesses and freelancers in 2004 is
estimated at over $11 billion, which is expected to top $13 billion by
2009
--Individual design establishments are expected to generate average
revenues of $491,000 in 2004, and over $550,000 in 2009
--Industry-wide
equipment purchasing by design firms and freelancers is expected to grow from
$211 million in 2004 to $250 million in 2009
--Graphic design firms
currently employ about 60,000 people, a level that is expected to reach nearly
68,000 employees by 2009
-- Nearly 75% of design businesses employ 1 to 4
people, and almost 90% have less than 10 employees
-- The 50 largest
firms comprise less than 1% of the number of establishments, but account for
over 16% ($1.3 billion) of the industry's total billings
-- 15% of the
industry's graphic design firms are newly created each year
-- Freelancer
gross revenues is expected to increase from over $3.4 billion in 2004 to over
$3.8 billion in 2009
-- The industry currently has over 74,000
graphic-design freelancers, and this is expected to grow to well over 86,000 by
the end of the decade
The report includes embedded hotlinks to
design-business information sources, including government reports, association
studies, industry publications, and other resources. The report's bibliography
also has hotlinks to the original information resources used in this SFM study.
Those purchasing the report have access to a password-accessible website that
will be continually updated through mid-2005. This unique feature provides users
with the latest developments occurring in this important industry
segment.
Companies selling products to or working with graphic-design
businesses will find the report to be an invaluable tool, said Vince Naselli,
consultant for the study. "The data and commentary in this study will assist
executives greatly to identify emerging trends and opportunities within this
market," Naselli explained. "Executives will be able to use this report for
strategic projects that require design-market sizing and segmentation, product
development, opportunity assessment, channel and distribution strategy,
promotion strategies, and all aspects of planning and forecasting.”
Dr.
Webb said one of the interesting findings in the study is the tremendous growth
of the freelance segment of the graphic design industry. For example, in 1997
there were less than 48,000 graphic-design freelancers. Today it is estimated
there are nearly 75,000 independent designers, which is expected to reach over
86,000 freelancers by 2009. By comparison, design businesses are expected to
employ 68,000 people by the end of the decade, only 8,000 more employees than
those working today.
“The single-person virtual design firm is now in
the process of becoming a major part of the graphic-design marketplace,”
remarked Dr. Webb.
The study also clearly identifies the fallout in the
graphic design industry that began in 2001, but which had its major impact in
2002. This was primarily caused by reduced demand for both Web- and print-based
design work, as well as the general economic slowdown in the U.S. that began in
mid-2000 and continued through 2002. Both factors were a major disruption in the
design industry. Estimated economic data from the last two years (2003-2004)
shows the dust has now settled in the graphic-design market, and projections
indicate the industry will progressively grow through the rest of the decade.
From 2005 to 2009 SFM expects steady, but modest growth in nearly all
economic categories. Indicators show that by 2009 the industry will reach the
same level of economic prosperity it achieved at the start of the industry's
dot-com boom, when the explosive demand for Web-design services caused the
number of design firms and employees, as well as revenue and
equipment-purchasing levels, to reach all-time highs.
Priced at $2,875,
“The U.S. Graphic Design Business 2004-2009” can be ordered and downloaded at http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/graphicdesign.html
For
more information, interested parties can e-mail Strategies for Management at
designstudy(at)sfminc.com, or call Mr. Vince Naselli at
1-732-568-0316.
About Dr. Joe Webb
Industry commentator and forecaster
Dr. Joe Webb is a 26+ year veteran of the graphic arts industry. He has served
the industry as a consultant, executive, and the founder of the TrendWatch
surveys. His academic background is a combination of business, computer
technologies, and graphic arts. His doctoral work was completed at the NYU
Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology. Dr. Webb has worked with
industry suppliers of all types, including offset and digital press
manufacturers, computer software and hardware developers, national and
multinational organizations, associations, and others. A frequent speaker at
industry events, Dr. Webb's weekly column “Fridays with Dr. Joe” appears at www.WhatTheyThink.com where it has become a must-read feature
for the entire printing industry.
(Photos of Dr. Webb for editorial purposes
can be downloaded at www.drjoewebb.com/press )
About Vince Naselli
Vince
Naselli has 20+ years of professional experience in the graphic arts marketing
industry. Mr. Naselli is the former Director of TrendWatch Graphic Arts. He is a
frequent contributor to WhatTheyThink.com and other leading industry
publications. He has served as a past committee chairman of the Imaging &
Prepress and Market Research subcommittees for the NPES market research program,
one of the leading research trade associations in the graphic communications
industries. He has also served as president and on the board of directors of
GAMIS, the research trade association of the Printing Industries of America. Mr.
Naselli speaks at numerous industry events about the trends in technology,
business conditions, and the future of the imaging business. In previous
professional roles, he served as Dealer Relations and Regional Sales Manager for
Screen USA and was the Senior U.S. Marketing Manager for Agfa of market research
and competitive analysis and concurrently was the Senior U.S. Marketing Manager
for Apogee responsible for PDF Workflow software and systems. He holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and management from Kean University, New
Jersey.
His website is http://www.naselliandassociates.com and his direct e-mail is
e-mail vince(at)naselliandassociates.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/12/prweb188255.htm