FEATURE FRIDAY: Ruth Price on Desert Design Week, Design, and the Superpower She’d Love to Have

As the founder and creative director of Desert Design Week, Ruth Price brings together a vibrant community of designers, artists, and visionaries to celebrate innovative ideas and creative collaboration.

Price has spent 23 years in real estate and has a passion for working with clients who appreciate architecture, intentional living, and the value of a well-designed home.

When she’s not shaping the design conversation, Price enjoys traveling, exploring the latest in architecture, and unwinding with a great glass of wine.

Here, the creative force talks about Desert Design Week—which will be held April 3-12—design, and the superpower she’d love to have.

Tell us about Desert Design Week!

Desert Design Week is a 10-day celebration of design, art, and architecture dedicated to showcasing creativity and promoting innovative design. Through a series of edited experiences—including art gallery pop-ups, architecture and design exhibitions, open studios, and immersive experiences—the week invites both the public and creative professionals to connect, collaborate, and foster community through a shared appreciation of design.

What makes it unique?

Desert Design Week breaks the mold of traditional design events by bringing together the public and the creative community through a series of intimate gatherings and citywide activations. Instead of a single venue, the experience unfolds across multiple locations, engaging designers, artists, and makers in meaningful conversations, collaborations, and showcases. It’s a celebration of creativity that reflects the essence of design—fluid, immersive, and deeply connected to place.

What inspired you to launch it? 

I wanted to create a platform that is inclusive of both established creatives as well as emerging talent, highly edited in a way that felt fresh, immersive, and inspiring. At the core, Desert Design Week is about community.

What is one big takeaway you’ve learned from it over the years? 

The power of art has a unique way of bringing us together. People are craving community and meaningful experiences, and when creativity is at the center, something truly special happens.

Design to you is … 

Visually expressing my unique perspective … it’s about capturing emotions and moments in a way that’s fresh, unexpected, and distinctly my own.

Your biggest creative outlet is… 

I love to take photographs of unexpected moments.

Your dream home would include these three things:

A lot of walls for art. A private studio. A beautiful garden (that I don’t have to tend to!).

If you could have one superpower, it would be: 

Flying. So I can get everywhere faster.

Scottsdale is special because … 

It’s a relaxed pace of life that makes me feel like I am on vacation.