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The Insider: Product Design and Merchandising - 'It's a Good Time to be a Designer in Philadelphia'

Innovation Philadelphia's new study Creative Footprint, has uncovered particular strengths within the following industry sectors: Software Development; Communications and Marketing; Architecture, Engineering and Planning; Graphic and Visual Arts and Multimedia Design; Product Design and Merchandising; and Information Technology. Innovation Matters is taking an in-depth look at the big six, and here is what we've found about product design and merchandising.

The Philadelphia Region's product design and merchandising industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $2.7 billion annually. This creative industry sector employs nearly 26,000 workers with average annual wages of $51,600. Product design and merchandising firms comprise nearly 8% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.

The product design and merchandising industry sector ranges from the design of medical, commercial and consumer products to the design and layout of a department store. The Philadelphia Region's product design and merchandising industry - defined in Creative Footprint as all industries/occupations relating to the design, production and display of products, packaging materials and exhibits - houses impressive highly-skilled employees. Employment growth in recent years sets the stage to claim Philadelphia's reputation as a hub for product design and merchandising.

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Innovation Spotlight: Philadelphia's Leading Product Design

Innovation Philadelphia spotlights regional creative industry entrepreneurs and young professionals making an impact on the Philadelphia Region, or innovative initiatives that showcase the tremendous innovative and creative talent driving Philadelphia's economy.

April's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Peter Bressler. As founder and leader of Bresslergroup, a full service product development firm in Philadelphia, Peter is responsible for the firm's strategic direction, development of user-centered product design solutions and strategic product planning activities.

Peter has authored or co-authored over 60 design and utility patents and has received over 40 national design awards. He has been an active member in his professional society for over 30 years and a former President of the Industrial Designers Society of America.

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DreamIt Ventures Launches

DreamIt Ventures Invests in Philadelphia Start-Ups
DreamIt Ventures, a pre-seed venture firm, is committed to developing a new generation of technology companies. With its official launch this past weekend, the new Philadelphia start-up program is initially investing in 12 entrepreneurial ventures to their next level of funding.

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In the News

» Let Computers Compute. It's the Age of the Right Brain.

» Feast of flicks

» Phila. included by SBA in effort to spur growth

» Calling all Philadelphia Entrepreneurs! Third Annual Entrepreneurship Week Set

Creative Movement Seminar

Register today for Creative Movement Seminar: Creative Economy in Action. Business Development in Motion., a half-day seminar on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 7:30 a.m. to noon in Room 109 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia). Learn how peer city leaders from New York City, Boston, Austin and Pittsburgh are leading economic and job growth in creative industry businesses, and changing the landscape of business development. Join Philadelphia business professionals and economic development, civic and education leaders at the upcoming Creative Movement seminar. Business Attire is required. Attendance cost is $65 per person.

» Register Now

Chamber offers Internships

Need help with your creative business? Creative companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking assistance can work with Philadelphia high school students through the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Michael Nutter's Working Solutions Program.

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Your Opinion Counts

The Philadelphia Region's creative industry strength in graphic and multimedia design includes both in-house workers and freelance/entrepreneurial designers. When asked what companies in the region use for their graphic and multimedia design, in-house or out-sourced, the results of the poll are:

How important is the design of a product affect your purchasing design?

» Vote Now

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