Parting Thoughts on STL Design Week from Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt

"Sunday marked the end of the second STL DesignWeek (apparently it's not "annual" until the third one). We learned a lot of things from the media while planning STLDW this year and we couldn't have been happier with the substantial television, radio, print and internet coverage. The STLDW team plastered the city with striking posters and post cards; we had a fantastic website and app; we tweeted and posted to facebook for months; and, we (the most dedicated 28-person all-volunteer planning committee I've ever seen) had been meeting as a group for the past year working out every detail that makes events successful."

Opening Night

"If dollars raised for good causes, people in the room and social media chatter are an indicator, then I would have to say "congratulations team, we did it!" All week long average daily attendance hovered between 400 to 500 people (and that wasn't just for the beer and tempting food trucks!). Yes, it's true, the St. Louis creative community loves a good party (free admission doesn't hurt either), but they also show up in mass to buy skateboards for a cause, throw darts at maps, learn about mind blowing beacons, soak up entrepreneurial wisdom, be captivated by great storytellers, be inspired by functional art and design, support students willing to be challenged and then judged, and finally, they even show up at the crack of dawn on bikes ready to tour important St. Louis architecture. Fortunately our giant volunteer army (fifty strong) also showed up day in and day out, working hard assisting event organizers and attendees alike."

GOOD Ideas for Cities

"If last year’s design week was about engagement, STL DesignWeek 2012 was about extending our reach. The multi-disciplinary make-up of the programming, committee and attendees this year was astounding. The involvement by cultural institutions was impressive as well. The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis stepped up time and again playing an even larger role than last year. Other cultural institutions new to STLDW included The Luminary Center for the Arts, the Regional Arts Commission, St. Louis Art Fair, COCA, St. Louis Art Museum and The Magic House. The list of professional and creative organizations represented by committee members is impressive, too: AIGA, Ad Club, AIA, ASLA, DART St. Louis, DesignSpeak, GOOD Ideas for Cities, IDSA and PechaKucha. Of course, it's critical that the endorsement via Platinum sponsorships by Brown Shoe, Maryville University and Purina Pet Care went a long way toward extending our reach beyond our own creative silos and into the broader community. Other design and non-design businesses and educational organizations also stepped up to help. Ready to lend both in-kind and cash donations, these groups made our rich programming possible and we thank them again and again."

Business Symposium

"Ultimately STL DesignWeek matters for one very simple reason: our collective creative voice is far more powerful than our individual voices could ever be. Together we can make big things happen for our city and our region…the momentum is building and it’s up to all of us to fuel the fire."

Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt
STL DesignWeek 2012, Chair

A comprehensive list of sponsors, event chairs and organizers may be found by visiting our website STLDesignWeek.com