Analysis
NAICS 541490 is the 2022 national industry for other specialized design services, part of 54149 (Other Specialized Design Services). Census lists 10 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 32% and employment rose 22%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 9 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541310, 541320, 541330 and 541410. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
County Business Patterns counts 3,469 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 11,380 people at an average annual payroll of $73,308 per employee (58th percentile of national industries). 87% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include clothing design services, costume design services (except independent theatrical…, fashion design services and fashion designer services, among 10 in all.
For example, providing architectural design services are classified in 541310 (Architectural Services) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing professional design services (except architectural, landscape architecture, engineering, interior, industrial, graphic, and computer systems design).
Illustrative Examples:
Costume design services (except independent theatrical costume designers) Jewelry design services Fashion design services Float design services Shoe design services Lighting design services Textile design services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing architectural design services | 541310 Architectural Services |
| Providing landscape architecture design services | 541320 Landscape Architectural Services |
| Providing engineering design services | 541330 Engineering Services |
| Providing interior design services | 541410 Interior Design Services |
| Providing industrial design services | 541420 Industrial Design Services |
| Providing graphic design services | 541430 Graphic Design Services |
| Providing computer systems design services | 541512 Computer Systems Design Services |
| Designing and writing custom software to meet the needs of a particular customer | 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services |
| Operating as independent theatrical costume or set designers | 711510 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers |
Index entries (10)
- Clothing design services
- Costume design services (except independent theatrical costume designers)
- Fashion design services
- Fashion designer services
- Float design services
- Fur design services
- Jewelry design services
- Lighting design services
- Shoe design services
- Textile design services