Chippewa Valley Times

Interior design students faced a significant challenge in the 12th Annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition, tasked with creating a 16,000-square-foot workplace across two floors of a Chicago office building. The designs had to cater to the needs of a global advertising agency's employees and clients, including private offices, shared workspaces, and a connecting staircase.

Khendra Thompson, an interior design senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, impressed judges with her entry, emerging as the winner from over 1,600 students who participated. Jerry Holmes and Denise Calehuff, co-organizers of the competition and design alliances principals at Steelcase, praised Thompson's ability to present her design effectively. Holmes noted that communication skills are crucial in the industry: “You might have the best design, but if you can’t communicate it to your client, you’re not going to get hired for the project,” he said.

Calehuff emphasized that Thompson's submission resembled professional work: “What really came to light was when she talked about the concept, she talked about the research, and she really thoughtfully expressed how the concept wove into everything that she did,” Calehuff stated.

Since 2013, Steelcase has sponsored this competition. This year’s finalists were invited to Steelcase's headquarters in Grand Rapids for their presentations. UW-Stout students have participated for years; in 2023, then-senior Sidney Franz received an honorable mention.

Tomski remarked on how closely aligned the project brief was with real-world challenges interior designers face. Listening carefully helped Thompson excel in delivering what was required by theoretical clients from a fictional advertising agency called NEXT. Tomski highlighted Thompson’s strength as a designer: “One of the reasons Khendra is such a fantastic young designer is because she’s a really good listener.”

Thompson incorporated unique elements into her design based on feedback and research. For example, she created a logo reflecting mathematical identity concepts inspired by her client's mantra "Being More Human." Her design included various spaces like game areas for relaxation which aligns with Steelcase’s research promoting creativity through gaming spaces.

Thompson spent six to eight weeks crafting her detailed entry using inspirations from Chicago’s architecture and urban character. Her attention to detail left an impression on judges like Calehuff: “We thought that someone could actually work in a space like that,” he said.

Winning this competition not only awarded Thompson a $2,500 scholarship but also opened doors for future opportunities within her career field. She reflected positively on her experience: “The biggest thing I’ve taken away from this experience is confidence in the different skill sets that I have.”

The interior design program is part of UW-Stout’s School of Art and Design which provides various degree programs and hosts one of Upper Midwest's largest public art schools.