NAICS 541490 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Specialized Design Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541490Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value report profiles NAICS 541490 (Other Specialized Design Services) using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], Census Bureau NAICS classifications, and SBA size standards. Classifications align with the 2022 North American Industry Classification System used by federal statistical agencies to analyze business establishments and collect industry-specific economic data.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other specialized design services industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Specialized Design Services (NAICS 541490) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing professional design services beyond traditional architectural, engineering, interior, industrial, graphic, and computer systems design Census Bureau NAICS 541490[5]. This industry includes specialized design professionals who create designs for fashion, textiles, jewelry, footwear, lighting, and other specialized products. The broader Specialized Design Services Industry Group employed approximately 270,845 workers in 2023, with professionals working an average of 43.5 hours per week and earning about $72,882 annually BLS Employment Data[6].
Steady growth continues driven by demand in healthcare, financial services, retail, and consumer goods sectors. Establishments serve diverse clientele including fashion houses, manufacturers, hospitality companies, and individual entrepreneurs seeking specialized design expertise. Firms classified here must primarily focus on design services not covered by other specialized design codes, distinguishing them from interior designers (541410), industrial designers (541420), and graphic designers (541430).
Fashion design represents the largest sub-segment, with designers creating clothing and accessory collections for seasonal markets and custom clients. Textile and pattern design supports both fashion and home furnishing industries. Jewelry design serves both mass-market manufacturers and custom artisan markets. Lighting design for specialty applications, costume design for commercial purposes, and float design for events round out the classification scope.
What's Included in This Industry
- Fashion design services for apparel and clothing lines
- Textile and fabric design for manufacturers and brands
- Jewelry design and custom adornment services
- Footwear and shoe design for retail and commercial purposes
- Lighting design for specialty and decorative applications
- Costume design services excluding independent theatrical designers
- Float design for parades, events, and promotional displays
- Specialized product design not covered by other categories
- Fur and material design for luxury goods
- Design consultation and conceptualization services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 |
| Subsector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541 |
| Industry Group | Specialized Design Services | 5414 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Specialized Design Services | 54149 |
| National Industry | Other Specialized Design Services | 541490 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541410 | Interior Design Services | Interior Design Services establishes interior spaces for function and aesthetics, while 541490 focuses on specialized product and item designs for fashion, jewelry, and textile categories outside interior spaces. |
| 541420 | Industrial Design Services | Industrial Design Services creates functional product designs and specifications for manufacturing, whereas 541490 specializes in design areas like fashion and jewelry not encompassed by industrial design. |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services | Graphic Design Services produces visual communications and branding materials, while 541490 concentrates on tangible product designs for items like clothing, accessories, and decorative objects. |
| 541310 | Architectural Services | Architectural Services designs buildings and structures, whereas 541490 covers specialized design for products and items unrelated to building construction or structural design work. |
| 711510 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | Independent Artists and Performers includes theatrical costume and set design by independent practitioners, while 541490 covers commercial costume design services and other specialized design applications. |
| 541340 | Drafting Services | Drafting Services produces technical drawings that may support specialized product design, with 541490 designers providing creative direction while drafters execute technical documentation. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 25.7% | 875 |
| 2 | New York | 21.5% | 731 |
| 3 | Florida | 8.5% | 288 |
| 4 | Texas | 4.7% | 161 |
| 5 | Illinois | 3.7% | 125 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2.3% | 79 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 2.2% | 76 |
| 8 | Georgia | 2.1% | 73 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 2.1% | 72 |
| 10 | Michigan | 2.1% | 71 |
% Of Establishments
0%
26%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
816
Total SBA Loans
$255.0M
Total Loan Volume
$313K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.62%
Average Interest Rate
3,728
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541490 (Other Specialized Design Services) is $14 million in average annual receipts for the preceding five fiscal years SBA Size Standards[7]. This standard applies to federal contracting opportunities and small business certifications. Firms meeting this threshold qualify for SBA-backed loans, government contracting advantages, and federal procurement programs. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[9] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheaton Bank & Trust Company, National Association | 16 | $26.7M | $1.7M |
| 2 | The Huntington National Bank | 80 | $16.9M | $211K |
| 3 | Northeast Bank | 120 | $16.5M | $137K |
| 4 | Harborstone CU | 8 | $15.6M | $2.0M |
| 5 | United Midwest Savings Bank National Association | 8 | $14.7M | $1.8M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What services fall under NAICS 541490?
NAICS 541490 includes design services for fashion, textiles, jewelry, footwear, lighting, costumes, floats, and other specialized products. It covers professional design work not falling under architectural, engineering, interior, industrial, graphic, or computer systems design categories. Census Bureau NAICS 541490[5]
How does NAICS 541490 differ from other design service codes?
NAICS 541490 is specifically for design services excluded from other categories. While 541410 covers interior spaces, 541420 handles industrial product functionality, and 541430 addresses visual communication, 541490 encompasses niche design services like fashion, jewelry, and textile design.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541490?
The SBA size standard is $14 million in average annual receipts. Businesses below this threshold qualify for federal contracting, SBA-backed loans, and preferential procurement opportunities. SBA Size Standards[7]
What occupations are common in this industry?
Roles include fashion designers, textile designers, jewelry designers, footwear designers, and specialized design consultants working across various product categories. BLS Employment Data[6]
How many people work in specialized design services?
The broader Specialized Design Services group employed about 270,845 workers in 2023. Geographic concentration shows California, New York, and Florida as leading states. Average annual wages were about $72,882. BLS Occupational Data[6]
What educational requirements apply?
About 80% of workers in the industry hold a bachelor's degree, some college education, or a graduate degree. Fields typically include fashion design, fine arts, product design, or specialized technical training in design software and methodologies.
How large is the specialized design services market?
The global specialized design services market was valued at about $142.78 billion in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. North America and Asia-Pacific represent the largest market segments for specialized design services.
What industries depend most on NAICS 541490 services?
Key client industries include fashion and apparel manufacturing, jewelry production, footwear companies, toy and game manufacturers, hospitality businesses, retail enterprises, and consumer goods companies seeking distinctive product designs.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau NAICS 541490 census.gov
- [6]BLS Employment Data bls.gov
- [7]SBA Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
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