This is a part of our Q+A series. Know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.
Nashville Design Week will take place Nov.1-5, offering a full schedule of conversations, events, and celebrations showcasing Nashville’s design community.
We recently caught up with Director of Communications Ann Katherine Vitti to learn about the event, the impact of design on the local community, and how it emphasizes the city’s creative collaboration.
What’s your name, title, and 3-5 things you want people to know about you?
Ann Katherine Vitti, Director of Communications for Nashville Design Week. I am originally from Atlanta, GA, and have been in Nashville for 5.5 years. I graduated from the University of Alabama, and I work full time as a Digital Producer at Lewis Communications in Brentwood.
Can you describe Nashville Design Week in 2-3 sentences?
Nashville Design Week is a week-long, city-wide series of interdisciplinary programs and events to unite the design community, promote collaboration and idea sharing, engage the public and elevate the impact of Nashville’s design economy.
What makes Nashville a great place to host this event?
Nashville is a fun town! There is always something new to do and explore. With so many new people moving here each day, it makes for a community that’s excited to network and experience new things. Especially this year, everyone is eager to get back to collaborating.
Can you speak on the collaboration, not competition mindset of this event? How do you see this day-to-day in the Nashville community?
From the second I moved here, it was clear that collaboration is a fundamental characteristic of Nashville. In every industry, people want to help each other succeed and not allow competition to get in the way of assisting peers. That mindset is at the heart of Nashville Design Week. The week is designed to promote all forms of design and allow designers to meet and collaborate.
Are these events strictly for designers, or can anyone attend?
No, anyone is welcome to register for events! If there is a topic or industry you are interested in learning more about, this is a perfect opportunity to do so while meeting new people.
What is an obstacle or learning curve you’ve overcome since the first NDW event in 2018?
Since our first year in 2018, we have grown and learned a lot. We are excited that this year will be our first year as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Over the years, we have learned a lot about building the calendar. We’ve found that creating themes or concepts each year can focus the overall conversation as well as offer a curated calendar of events. Scaling back on quantity and honing in on quality has served us, and our audience, well.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic 2020, we have also been exploring more virtual and now hybrid event platforms, allowing a broader reach of individuals to attend.
How does Nashville’s design scene impact the general community?
Many people see Nashville in a particular way, usually based on what attracts the typical tourist. However, with Nashville’s growth and the influx of new residents, it’s allowed for a new side of Nashville to grow and come to the forefront.
For example, when you go out to a new restaurant in town, there is probably a lot of time and thought put into just the type of table you are sitting at or the art on the wall. Nashville’s design community wants the world to see Nashville as more than a music town, and it is inspiring the artists in our community to create incredible work.
What are 2-3 events from this year’s lineup that the community can’t miss?
I am excited for Nashville Design Week’s opening party at 21c Museum Hotel’s Gray & Dudley restaurant, where we will be unveiling the 2021 Community art project, “Now and When: Love Letters to Nashville.”
Our Thursday morning event, Defining Nashville’s Culinary Arts Impact, will explore Nashville’s past, present, and future relationship with cuisine in relation to design, and is one of our first culinary-focused events!
Name 3-5 other local leaders/influencers/movers + shakers you’re watching.
Our Brand Partners, Lindsey and Allen Laseter, just launched their new business, Lasso Studio. I am really excited to see the work they develop together! Some other people Nashville Design Week is watching are Kelsey Oesmann, Kalen Russell, Brittany Cole, Read Ezell and Jamel Campbell-Gooch of Moving Nashville Forward, Hunter Claire Rogers, Joseph Cole, and Clarence Edward of Ce Gallery.
