Q&A With Design Week’s Rex Runyeon

As a born-and-raised Nashvillian, Rex Runyeon knows that keeping a finger on the pulse of Nashville’s design trends can often be a moving target. He works with clients with ambitious brand goals and approaches those projects with the heart of a rebel with a cause that strikes a perfect balance of futuristic art and a strong sense of purpose. This year, he is representing Nashville Design Week as the brand partner and took a break to visit with Nfocus about the upcoming week-long event.

What is Nashville Design Week?

It’s a five-day design showcase for our city. Nashville Design Week pulls together passionate design leaders from a range of Nashville’s design industries — graphic, industrial, interiors, fashion, architecture — to host workshops, tours, panels and other events around town. There’s something for everyone at Nashville Design Week — design enthusiasts and design professionals alike, no matter your interest, design discipline or experience level.

How did NDW start, and how has it evolved?

Nashville Design Week was founded in 2018 by four women working in design [and] looking for a way to connect and collaborate with Nashville’s larger creative community. The initial response was overwhelming; the first year saw 93 events over eight days. Over the years, Nashville Design Week has evolved to stay connected with the community. It’s about showcasing design, providing public resources and access, and connecting with Nashville’s design community.

How can Nashvillians get involved?

You can show up! NDW 22 starts on Monday, Oct. 31, and runs through Friday, Nov. 4. Nashville Design Week is an entirely volunteer-led initiative, and we’re always looking for passionate people to work with. Additionally, we partner with organizations that see the value and potential of design in our city. We rely on the vision and support of these partners who believe in making design more accessible to all.

What are three things people should know about NDW 2022?

Nashville Design Week is open to the public. No fancy architect glasses or graphic designer-y black turtleneck required, though these are certainly permitted. It’s a community, not a club. Nashville Design Week happens all over the city, in design spaces like architecture firms, galleries, graphic design studios, collaborative workspaces and museums. It’s a great way to experience the diversity in Nashville’s design scene. Nashville Design Week is a nonprofit, and it is entirely volunteer-led. Behind the scenes are passionate people who donate their time and organizations that donate their resources to pull off the week.

What are you most excited about this year?

Well it’s the fifth annual design week! The past few years presented new challenges, along with opportunities, to the team, and we’re proud to be hosting for the fifth consecutive year. This year, nearly all of the programming is able to happen in-person, and we’re excited to get together with our community.

How has Nashville’s design landscape changed over the past years, pre- or post-pandemic?

Today, the Nashville design landscape is more vibrant — at least bigger — than it’s ever been before. There are more independent designers and studios now. People are moving to town to set up shop. All of this on top of a city with a base of great agencies, firms, print shops and small studios. The creative community is really supportive here, like a big small town.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Rex Runyeon, and I am a designer born and based in Nashville, Tennessee. I am grateful to represent Nashville Design Week as brand partner for 2022. My creative practice, Rex Runyeon Design Office, is a studio focused on making striking brand identity, packaging, signage and illustration with ambitiously creative clients near and far. Strategic curiosity and rebellious naïveté make my world go ’round.