About

I got the idea to start Designing the Row in 2016 while working on Nashville’s Music Row, the city’s epicenter of music and creativity. Now, I’ve become a trusted website designer and marketer in the industry having worked with over 250 clients. If YOU decide to join the lineup, you'll be in great company.

Designing the Row icon

Hey, I’m Katherine Forbes… Squarespace Designer & founder of Designing the Row®

I’m founder of Nashville based website and brand design company, Designing the Row. My client roster has grown to include GRAMMY Nominated & Award Winning Artists, New York Times Best Selling Authors, Film Composers, & many more! I’ve become known for my clean and simple design style and am recognized as a Squarespace Expert and Squarespace Authorized Trainer. I’m also the creator of music community, Music Biz Besties, and I teach digital music marketing as an adjunct professor at ETSU.

My work has been featured on Forbes.com and I’ve spoken on panels hosted by YELP, the Music Business Association, Women in Music, and many others.

I believe that "your success depends on you taking action" and I’m passionate about motivating and encouraging others to do just that!

  • Custom Squarespace Website Design

    If you're looking to hand over your assets (graphics, photos, content) and let Katherine put it all together for you as a professional looking website, fill out the form on the Services page to request a free quote.

    Ongoing support (edits and rebrands) are available through Designing the Row on an hourly basis. There are no ongoing design/maintenance fees included.

    Have a question about working together on your website project? Visit the Designing the Row® FAQ page for more.

  • Click here to access Katherine’s Press Kit.

    For sponsored video tutorials or other collaborative ideas, please email Katherine.

  • Have my video tutorials and resources helped you solve a problem or take your website to the next level? Your support makes this possible... whether that's your YouTube views/subscriptions, shares, donations, or all of the above! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  • Katherine Forbes, hey@designingtherow.com

    Designing the Row® is based in Nashville, TN but serves clients internationally.

The Inspiration

Inspired by the vibrant creativity of Nashville's iconic Music Row, I started Designing the Row to share my ideas and make my own mark. Today, Designing the Row has been trusted by over 250 clients who've all become part of this incredible journey.

That journey really started the day after college graduation when I arrived in Nashville eager to start my music career. I had no job lined up, knew no one, and honestly I knew nothing about the music business. But “Music City” sounded like a great place to start. One day at a time, I put the pieces together and have soaked up as much knowledge as possible along the way.

I approach the ever changing digital landscape the exact same way. It’s constantly evolving and so am I! Designing the Row exists to help you make an impact with your passions by putting your best foot forward online always utilizing the current digital best-practices.

The Magic of Clean and Simple Design

Clients come to me because they want a “clean and simple” website. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard those words on initial calls with new clients (seriously)! In a world often overwhelmed with visual noise, I believe the less is more strategy can apply to both website design and online marketing.

An Established Client Roster & Supportive Business Model

I love to brag on my clients. Over the years, my client roster has grown to include GRAMMY Nominated & Award Winning Artists, New York Times Best Selling Authors, Film Composers, and many more… and that’s something I’m truly proud. I believe the Designing the Row® business model attracts such clients because unlike the traditional website design agencies out there: all clients get admin access to their website, there are no hidden or ongoing fees, and I’m always here to help you learn how to update and maintain your own site. I also genuinely enjoy the connections and relationships built throughout the website creation process which has allowed Designing the Row to grow primarily through client referrals.

Squarespace Expertise and Beyond

I’m honored to be recognized by Squarespace as a Squarespace Expert and Squarespace Authorized Trainer. The platform has allowed me to build this business and I’m grateful to have been noticed for the work I’ve done to serve others through Squarespace. 

My work has also been featured on Forbes.com and I’ve spoken on panels hosted by YELP, the Music Business Association, Leadership Bluegrass, Women in Music, and more. I’ve also been a guest speaker at Belmont, MTSU, Drexel, and other universities.

A Music Community and Educator

My love for music and the industry extends beyond design. Around the same time I started Designing the Row, I also started an online networking community for female musicians and industry professionals called Music Biz Besties. The group now has over 6,500 members and live events have been held in cities across the world such as Nashville, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, London, Melbourne, and Toronto!

I also recently took on a role as adjunct professor at ETSU (East Tennessee State University) to share my knowledge and passion for digital branding and music marketing. My goal is to help equip today’s college music students with the skills they need to succeed in this digital age.

Motivating and Encouraging

The through line of everything I do is because of my deep desire to inspire others to take bold steps towards achieving their dreams. Whether that’s through my design work, teaching, or community-building efforts, I hope to motivate and encourage others every step of the way. I believe "your success depends on you taking action" and incorporate that mission into all I do!