NEW YORK -- June 29, 2004 -- TrendWatch Graphic Arts announces the launch of "Creative Directions," a monthly newsletter that takes a comprehensive look at business and technology issues affecting firms and individuals that design and produce materials for print and/or electronic media. In the latest issue, "The Original Wrapper (June 2004), we examine the current state of packaging design as an opportunity for creative firms. How does the changing "media mix" landscape affect the demand for packaging design? What are the opportunities for graphic design firms in the packaging market? How does packaging design differ from traditional graphic design? What are the barriers to entry? And what are the trends driving the packaging industry-both now and in the future? Each month, "Creative Directions: Charting the Course of the Design and Production Community" concentrates on a particular issue-packaging design, variable-data printing/personalization, digital printing, magazine design and production, and others-and looks at them in terms of historical trends, current market status, technology issues, business implications, and a long-term forecast. Each issue also features BusinessWatch, a creative market business indicator that evaluates current and future business conditions for creative firms, as well as the forces that are affecting those conditions. Publisher's Quote... "Most of the available information resources present graphic communications technologies and trends from one vantage point at a time: What do designers think? What do printers think? But for nearly a decade, Trendwatch Graphic Arts has focused on both sides of the creative divide. To really understand what's happening in such a dynamic industry, you need to tie many different perspectives together. This is where leveraging a variety of data sources offers tremendous value." Availability... The June 2004 issue of "Creative Directions: Charting the Course of the Design and Production Community" is available immediately as a secure PDF by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com/creativedirections. Future issues will be available for a price of $25 each, or a yearly subscription (12 times a year) $149 for PDF versions, $199 for printed versions. Multiple use subscriptions are also available, for pricing email us at mailto:[email protected].