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Design of the Future: Investing in Students, Community, and What’s Next

At Applied Digital, building the future means more than constructing digital infrastructure, it means investing in people, education, and opportunity in the communities where we live and work. Through AppliedDigital Cares, our mission is to strengthen and uplift communities by supporting education, workforce development, and innovative partnerships that create lasting, positive impact.

That commitment came to life through the NDSU InteriorDesign Challenge; a real-world design competition launched in Fall 2025 that culminated this spring with a professional immersion experience in Dallas,Texas for the winning student team.

‍Celebrating the 2026 Design of the Future Winners

This year’s Design of the Future award recognized outstanding student work envisioning how interior design can support the future of North Dakota’s digital infrastructure.

Developed by Applied Digital, the challenge invited NDSU interior design students to create a visionary design for key public facing spaces within a $1B+ next generation data center project. Students were tasked with designing a grand entryway, welcoming lobby, conference room, and waiting area; spaces intended to tell the story of North Dakota’s heritage, its connection to energy and innovation, and its future as a hub for advanced technology.

Designs needed to balance storytelling and function, highlighting themes such as community involvement, in state energy use, economic revitalization, and access to high-quality technology careers.

Elsa Bainey, 4^th Year
Shler Mohammed, 3^rd Year
Alyssa Hall, 4^th Year
Ashten Wolfe, 3^rdYear

Their proposal stood out for its clarity, refinement, and ability to translate feedback into a cohesive, executable design solution.

Reflecting on the final student presentations, contest judge Brian Hasemann, Director of Data Center Design at Applied Digital, shared:

‍“It was fantastic sitting through your presentations and seeing what you organized—I really appreciated the effort you put into the entire process.”

From Academic Concepts to Real World Application

Students worked within an existing architectural framework provided by Gensler, mirroring the constraints and coordination required in professional practice. Teams refined their concepts over a quick timeline, incorporating feedback and aligning their designs with real operational goals.

As the culminating award, the winning team traveled toDallas, Texas, joined by NDSU faculty and members of the Applied Digital team; transforming a classroom challenge into a real-world professional experience.

The visit began at Applied Digital headquarters, where students toured the space and delivered their final design presentation to WesCummins, Chief Executive Officer of Applied Digital, and Erin Kraxberger, ChiefMarketing Officer.

Presenting to executive leadership gave students rare firsthand insight into how design decisions intersect with organizational vision, brand identity, and long-term business strategy, demonstrating how creative work informs decision making at the highest levels of a technology company.

Hasemann noted what set the winning team apart:

“What really impressed me was how you took early feedback from your initial presentation and clearly worked it into the final design package, outlining strong design goals and how you achieved them.”

Learning Alongside Industry Leaders

The following day, students visited Gensler’s Dallas office, where they were welcomed by senior firm leaders Cindy Simpson, Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s South-Central Region and member of the firm’s Board of Directors, and Scott Armstrong, Principal and Studio Director.

Students presented their work to a multidisciplinary group of professionals who offered thoughtful feedback, career advice, and insight into the evolving expectations of the design profession, particularly as technology and AI continue to reshape the industry:

Elliott Beach, Designer
Montoya Coleman, Interior Designer
Behruz Hairullaev, Technical Designer
Matthew Henninger, Interior Designer
Felicia Santiago, Architect and Design Manager

Presenting in a professional studio environment gave students a clear view of ‑cross disciplinary collaboration, professional standards, and the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce.

Building Connection Beyond the Boardroom

Beyond presentations and tours, the trip was intentionally designed to foster connection. From shared meals to an evening at the Fort Worth Stockyards Championship Rodeo, students, faculty, and industry partners had time to reflect, connect, and experience the place and its culture together.

The group also visited the Dallas Museum of Art, where students explored global design perspectives and creative influences; an important reminder that thoughtful, ‑future ready design is shaped not only by technical expertise, but by cultural context and artistic inspiration.

These moments reinforced the idea that thriving professional communities are built through both opportunity and human connection.

Investing in the Future of Design

The NDSU Interior Design Challenge was grounded in a simplebelief:
No one tells North Dakota’s story better than those who live and learn here.

Through Applied Digital Cares, we believe technology should empower communities to thrive, and that education and workforce development are essential to that future. By engaging students in real projects with real partners, the challenge helps prepare the next generation of designers to lead with skill, adaptability, and purpose.

What began as a classroom challenge ultimately became a career defining experience, one that connected students directly to the future they are helping design.