Monday 11.03

Host
Erin Cavanaugh, See ROSE Go, Inc.
Speakers
Ricardo Medina, Misti Blasko, Fernando Lima, Andy Sutton, Rebecca O'Connor
Location
Ampersand Studios
1030 16th Avenue South, 2nd Floor
37212
What defines good design? Many say it is solving a problem, but great design begins earlier—by understanding the person who has the problem. This participatory workshop opens with an “anti-panel,” where storytellers from diverse fields share how deep, empathetic listening reshaped their work. Attendees will then engage in a two-part, hands-on session: first, crafting consumer interview questions using the Thinks/Feels/Says/Does empathy framework, and then practicing how to translate insights into design prompts, business opportunities, or product decisions. The workshop will also introduce AI as an analytical tool to help surface themes, while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human empathy in interpretation. Led by entrepreneur and consumer insight strategist Erin Cavanaugh, this session equips professionals across design-related disciplines with practical tools to apply immediately to the business of design and innovation.
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Host
Mack Black, GS&F
Speakers
Tiff Vandermark, Megan Woodard, Mack Black
Location
GS&F
209 10th Avenue South, Suite 222
37203
A hands-on, beginner-friendly UX mini-sprint where the brief is out of this world and the method is shockingly useful. In under two hours, you’ll move from audience insight to ideas to a scrappy prototype, and leave with a repeatable process you can run anytime. Expect teamwork, dot stickers, cardboard magic, and a high-vibe room. No slides, no jargon, just a simple framework you can plug into your next project or sprint. All materials provided. Zero experience required.
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Host
Nia Allen, The Overdressed Black Girl
Speakers
Nia Allen, Joseph Cole, Rhea Daniels
Location
Soho House Nashville
500 Houston Street
37203
Designing in the Margins: Creativity, Equity, and Resistance is a live, cross-disciplinary panel event that brings together designers, architects, artists, and cultural strategists who are shifting the boundaries of their fields to center justice, identity, and intention in their work. This event invites attendees to consider how design whether through buildings, garments, systems, or stories can serve as both resistance and reimagination.
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Host
Leia Avery, Just Play Entertainment
Location
Kreate Hub
309 Plus Park Boulevard
37217
Have a dope idea and wish you could turn it into a real game? Join Leia Avery, founder of Just Play Entertainment and creator of the hit game Hip Hop Charades, for a high-energy, hands-on workshop that guides you through the fundamentals of game design and helps you transform your concept into something real — and playable.
This isn't your average DIY class. Expect a vibrant, fast-paced creative lab where you'll explore storytelling, game mechanics, and how to engage players through intentional design. You’ll walk through proven methods using design-thinking principles and collaborative play.
Each participant/group receives professionally printed materials to bring their game ideas to life:
Custom-printed game cards
All supplies covered: printer ink, card sheets, dice, timers, tokens, and more
Instruction in Canva to help you design beautiful cards. (recommended: bring your own laptop)
Collaborative playtesting with real-time group feedback
This workshop is low-tech, high in energy, full of vibes, imagination, and value. From trivia and conversation cards to charades-style play, you’ll learn how to use games for storytelling, connection, and cultural expression — all while building something uniquely yours.
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Tuesday 11.04

Host
Mila Thomsen, Lindsey Laseter, + Lauren Bailey-Madden of Ladies, Wine, and Design Nashville
Speakers
Tess Davies, Biaunca Edwards, Emmanuel LeGrair + Keshia Hay
Location
Estelle
814 Woodland Street
37206
In a world filled with uncertainty, how do we keep creating? How do we stay grounded, inspired, and connected when the process (and life itself) feels messy? We believe the answer lies in embracing both the mess and the magic. Because without the mess, there is no magic. Creativity is born in the tension between chaos and clarity, struggle and spark. This gathering is about holding space for both – and exploring how design can help us navigate what’s hard and celebrate what inspires.
This isn’t a panel or a lecture. It’s a conversation. We’ll begin with a group of featured creatives on stage, responding to thought-provoking questions about how they find meaning, clarity, and resilience in their own work. From there, we’ll move into small groups for guided reflections – an intimate chance to explore what resonates, share what sustains us, and carry forward the sparks that keep us creating.
The Format
- 8:00am - 8:30am: Coffee, Networking, & Live Music by Lauryn Marie
- 8:30am - 10:00am: Opening Conversation & Small Groups
Come as you are – creative, curious, overwhelmed, or inspired. Together, we’ll hold space for the mess and the magic that makes creativity possible.
Please Note: Once you buy your ticket, parking and event details will be shared the week of the event.
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Host
Jenn Cordova + Katherine Forbes
Speakers
Jenn Cordova, Katherine Forbes, Zintrise ("Zin") Altovise
Location
The Cordelle
45 Lindsley Avenue
37210
An inspiring conversation spotlighting Nashville’s women in design. This multi-industry panel of female leaders will share how they define design, navigate their careers, and empower the next generation of creatives across the city’s vibrant design community.
This intimate and empowering discussion will offer honest insights, shared challenges, and inspiring stories from some of the women shaping the creative landscape of our city. From career growth to community impact, Designed to Lead invites attendees to explore the many ways design can be a tool for expression, influence, and leadership.
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Host
Melissa Jones, 3816 Creative
Speakers
Emma McCallie, Erik Thompson, Joshua Maldonado, Alexandros Darsinos
Location
Ampersand Studios
1030 16th Avenue South, 2nd Floor
37212
In a world shaped by technology, systems, and scale, the question persists: who is design really for? What is the purpose of it?
This experience bridges the gap between industry professionals and everyday design enthusiasts. A panel of local designers, architects, educators, and entrepreneurs will unpack the values, challenges, and future of human-centered design in our city - from private studios, to public spaces, to digital platforms.
Following the discussion, attendees will engage in a hands-on, guided activities designed to make the principles of human-centered design tangible.
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Host
Gibson Guitars
Speakers
Mark Agnesi, Mat Koehler, Jim DeCola
Location
The Gibson Garage
209 10th Avenue South, Suite 209
37203
Gibson has been shaping music, culture, and craftsmanship for over a century. This panel explores the intersection of heritage, innovation, and design—from our legendary guitars to the thoughtful architecture of our global showrooms and garages.
Our goal for this event is to provide an inside look at how Gibson’s iconic legacy informs modern design and brand experience. Audiences will walk away with a deeper understanding of Gibson's commitment to integrity, innovation, and global creative influence.
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Host
Camille Seven, Department Fine Jewelry + Bal Harbor Shops Access Pop-Up
Speakers
Camille Seven, Jade Ruzzo, SC Perot
Location
Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up
500 Hagan Street
37203
Jewelry may be the smallest objects we wear, but it often carries the greatest weight. Every stone, curve, and engraving can hold memory, ritual, and identity, making jewelry not just adornment, but design at its most intimate.
This conversation brings together fine jewelry designers, stylists, collectors, and thinkers to explore how jewelry becomes a vessel for love, lineage, and self-expression. With dialogue and an interactive showcase of meaningful pieces, we'll uncover how jewelry tells the stories of who we are, what we celebrate, and what we all carry with us.
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Host
Marzuwq Bholai + Bryant Hawkins
Location
Tennessee State Museum
1000 Rosa L Parks Boulevard
37208
Our event will take a deep dive into the museum professionals world and show exactly what it takes to put together a museum level exhibition. From initial concepts and creative briefs to design renderings of the gallery space all the way to installation and opening day.
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Wednesday 11.05

Host
Laura Deleot, Circa Brand Agency
Speakers
Tori Thomas, Scott Dismukes, Craige Hoover,Varina Willse
Location
Circa Brand Agency Annex
1220 7th Avenue North
37208
What makes a place memorable? How do cities, neighborhoods, and public spaces develop identities that attract people, businesses, and investment? Join us for a dynamic panel exploring the intersection of design, storytelling, and development through the lens of place branding. A creative branding expert, a landscape architect, and a community developer will examine how strategic branding, thoughtful design, and urban planning work in tandem to bring places to life. From branding entire neighborhoods to designing new public destinations, panelists will share real-world examples, collaborative approaches, and candid insights into the challenges and opportunities of crafting a sense of place. Whether you're in branding, architecture, or real estate, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on how we create and communicate the spirit of place.
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Host
Lacie Thorne, TN Fashion Council
Speakers
Danny Pippin, Lacie Thorne
Location
Belmont University, Jack Massey Building
1905 15th Avenue South, 5th Floor Hackathon Room
37212
Design is more than aesthetics — it is how you shape vision into action, creativity into value, and passion into something that lasts. In this energizing and interactive session, we will explore what it really takes to define your business through design with purpose, strategy, and structure.
Whether you are launching your first product, growing a brand, or turning creative ideas into a business, this event is packed with real-world insights to help you:
Clarify your purpose and vision, build and align your team and culture, organize your operations for growth, strengthen sales and customer connections, and navigate the unique realities of building a fashion business in Tennessee.
You will hear honest stories and advice from seasoned business advisors and creative leaders in our region — including wins, challenges, and lessons they have learned along the way. There will also be time for Q&A and informal networking, giving you space to connect with others shaping Nashville’s creative economy.
Presented by the Tennessee Fashion Council, a fiscally sponsored project of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, dedicated to empowering the future of fashion through education, resources, and community.
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Host
Breonna Cole, Purpose Lit, B.I.N.O., Ether Co-Op
Speakers
Chuck iNDiGO, Brian Brown, Kyleigh Jehlicka, Bryant Taylorr, Topper Atwood, Tim Gent
Location
H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Music Evolve)
615 Main Street, G1
37206
Define the Sound is a live, collaborative music event designed to immerse audiences in the emotional and creative process behind making music. This experience blends live performance, storytelling, and audience participation to explore how emotion, design, and sound come together to tell a story.
A full band will be in the studio composing in real time, shaping new music based directly on audience feedback. Through guided narration and co-creative exercises, the audience becomes part of the songwriting journey—opening the doors behind how the music we love is made, and revealing the raw interplay of inspiration, collaboration, and sound. Participants will be sent the exclusive song after the event.
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Host
Lindsay Sheets, Red Rock Tileworks
Speakers
Natalie O' Design, Elizabeth Williams, Katie Vance, Brenden Moss, Alexis Soler
Location
Red Rocks Tileworks
447 Atlas Drive
37211
What happens when artists, makers, and designers from different disciplines join forces to shape a space? Join us to learn how collaboration across industries creates surface designs that tell stories and transform environments.
Opening with a panel discussion that showcases the power of collective creativity and voices of the artists and experts who brought them to life, the conversation will move from inspiration to action. In a hands-on workshop, attendees will design their own tiles at two interactive stations equipped with tools and guidance from local collaborators. Each participant will leave with a one-of-a-kind piece to take home — an echo of their own story, brought to the surface through design.
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Host
Libby Callaway + Neuhoff District
Speakers
Sid + Ann Mashburn, Dr. André Churchwell, Sara Costello, Emmanuel J. LeGrair + Tiffany Gifford
Location
The Curve Building at Neuhoff District
1312 Adams Street
37208
In the South, style is more than clothing — it's a language of tradition, hospitality and identity. From blue jeans to Sunday best, what Southerners wear has long reflected how we live, work, and connect.
This panel brings together local and national fashion, design and hospitality experts to explore the origins and hallmarks of Southern style, its ties to history and culture, and how it's evolving for future generations. Whether you're a designer, fashion lover, or simply curious, join us to ask: How does who we are shape what we wear?
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Thursday 11.06

Host
Brittany N. Cole, Career Thrivers
Location
The Pinnacle Financial, Integrity Conference Room
25 Platform Way S
Ste 101
37203
Design isn’t just about how things look, it’s about how people learn, grow, and lead. In today’s evolving workplace, instructional design is an essential tool for shaping culture, developing leaders, and driving business performance.
This interactive session will invite you to reimagine learning as a design practice that fuels innovation and growth. You’ll hear from both creative and corporate voices, including leaders from major corporations and design thinkers, on how intentional learning experiences are transforming teams and organizations.
Attendees will walk away with:
Practical insights for applying design principles to leadership development and career pathways
A digital guide, Designing Leaders, filled with tools to support growth in your business or workplace
New perspectives on how instructional design can position companies, and their people, for the future of work
More than a conversation, this session is a hands-on opportunity to define how learning design can shape the future of your people, your business, and your company.
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Host
Ben Metz, ESa
Speakers
Beverly Keel, Patrick Kraus, Steve Schnur, Brittany Shaffer, Nick Spezia
Location
Analog at the Hutton Hotel
1808 West End Avenue
37203
This casual studio conversation brings together trailblazers from recording, music education, scoring, and gaming to explore how intention, iteration, and structure shape both a building and a sonic landscape. Moderated by an architectural designer with a unique perspective on musical spaces, the panel will cover topics ranging from crafting curricula for the next generation of musicians, to adapting compositions for different venues, to the role of acoustics and audio design in shaping sound.
Held in a music-centered venue, the event will highlight how music impacts space—and how space impacts music. Attendees can expect interactive discussion, opportunities for networking, and a fresh look at the parallels between design and music that continue to define Nashville’s creative identity. Open to all, this event celebrates the intersection of two Nashville's most vital industries.
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Host
Sydney Shelton, Modern Daily Knitting
Location
Modern Daily Knitting
441 Atlas Drive
37211
Textural Intelligence is rooted in the belief that design is not just something we see — it's something we touch, feel, and experience. In a world dominated by screens and visuals, this event invites attendees to engage with texture as both a functional and emotional design tool. It's designed for artists, designers, educators, and curious creatives who want to explore how materiality, process, and intention inform the way we solve problems and communicate through design.
Textural Intelligence is a call to reconnect with the physical. It reminds us that design lives in surfaces, materials, and the sensory moments that connect us.This experience challenges us to expand how we define design, centering texture as a strategy for inclusion, emotion, and deeper engagement.
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Host
Hannah Kik + Taylor Brooke Fair, MADE Foundation
Location
White Hall
1034 West Kirkland Avenue
37216
Render dismantles the idea of traditional art exhibitions, inviting visitors to step inside the raw, messy, and often unseen journey of making, showcasing the drafts, the prototypes, and the iterations that usually stay hidden in the studio.
80+ local artists and designers from across disciplines will reveal how their work takes shape over time. You'll witness the pivots and the transformations inside the creative process.
Render creates a space for authenticity, dialogue, and connection. It's an invitation to question what design really is, to celebrate imperfection, and to recognize that the journey is just as powerful as the final piece.
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Friday 11.07

Host
Belmont University
Speakers
Belmont Faculty Shannon North + Andie Day
Location
Belmont University, Inman Building
1515 Wedgewood Avenue
37212
Participants will learn how to use a hand-operated flatbed knitting machine to create a knitted pillow cover. All participants will be invited to design their custom pillow cover by making key design decisions that include choosing yarns, colors, and a punch card pattern to create their own unique design.
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Host
Jodi Hays, David Lusk Gallery + Jerry's Artaramaxx
Speakers
Jodi Hays, Omari Booker, Benjy Russel, Evan Roosevelt Brown + Cymone Wilder
Location
David Lusk Gallery
516 Hagen Street
37203
Just as Robert Rauschenberg once erased a Willem de Kooning drawing to make his own mark, artists and designers in Nashville today navigate their own gestures of removal, deciding what to keep, what to cover, and what to let go in a rapidly changing city. On Erasure is a cross-disciplinary panel exploring erasure as both technique and metaphor, from taped-off lines and painted-over layers to collage, digital manipulation, memory, and place.
The event brings together graphic designers, painters, architects, and photographers for conversation and hands-on engagement. Participants will create their own erasure-based collages in breakout sessions that spark larger group discussion on erasure and resisting it. Together, we'll ask: What does it mean to erase, obscure, or revise? How do these acts reflect our social and urban landscapes? And what space might erasure create for something new to emerge?
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Host
Veronica Foster, Civic Design Center
Speakers
Ali Alsaleh, David Greaves, Kaitlyn Jones, AC Pullig-Gomez, Ron Yearwood
Location
Studio 615
272 Broadmoor Drive
37207
Step into Dream Street, a satirical game show where one lucky audience member will play the role of “the community” who is looking for the best person to design their dream street. "The community" will question a lineup of mystery representatives played by industry experts before making their final decision. Inspired by The Dating Game's retro interview format, this lively experience blends humor with civic design, all complete with a charismatic host.
Dream Street is a playful nod to the complex dynamics in public design decisions. Join us for an evening that is part comedy, part critique, and all about reimagining who should get to define design in our city.
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