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In December, Communication Design students from Alexandria Technical & ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ traveled to Fargo to participate in Good for Nothing, a high-intensity creative sprint hosted through AAF-ND.

Good for Nothing is a one-day, real-world design and marketing challenge that brings together students and professionals to support nonprofits through rapid, collaborative problem-solving. This year, ATCC students: Elliana Bahls, Izzy Bautista, Autumn Hubbard, Elyse Adams, their instructor, Cailey Birchem, as well as three additional volunteers partnered with the nonprofit Spread Your Sunshine, an organization dedicated to spreading kindness and community connection through inclusive events and outreach.

Their challenge: deliver a brand refresh for Spread Your Sunshine while simultaneously developing a promotional strategy to support the nonprofit’s upcoming year of chosen events, all within 12 hours.

Throughout the day, students moved through the same process they would encounter in professional agency environments, researching the organization’s mission, defining audience needs, refining brand tone, and iterating quickly under real deadlines. By the end of the sprint, teams presented updated visual branding concepts along with actionable marketing plans designed to increase awareness, engagement, and attendance at future events.

“This experience pushed students to think beyond aesthetics,” said instructor Cailey Birchem. “They had to collaborate, communicate clearly, and make confident design decisions, all while working toward a shared goal that directly benefits the community.”

The Fargo experience offered students a rare opportunity to apply classroom skills in a fast-paced, professional setting, while also contributing meaningful work to a nonprofit organization. For many, it was their first time participating in a large-scale creative sprint alongside industry professionals, an experience that reinforced the power of design as a tool for impact.