Element Sessions: Answering the Age-Old Question of What is Contemporary Design

 

How do you nail down the definition of contemporary? Ask an expert like Suzanne DeRusha, president of Suzanne Kimberly Design. In this episode of Element Sessions, an Element Designs podcast, host Sean Heath explored the fundamental principles of creating successful contemporary designs with the noted designer.

So, does contemporary design have a firm or fixed definition? Yes and no.

“Modern and contemporary are often transposed or used together, and that’s because typically consumers don’t know the differences,” DeRusha said. “But the style itself is always changing. Trying to keep your finger on that pulse is like knowing what each manufacturer is thinking and who their innovative brains are.”

That’s because ever-changing technology and functional engineering constitute a big part of contemporary style and design, DeRusha explained. Cabinet hardware function has come a long way with soft-close hinges and lift-up doors, for example. These are functional upgrades but represent a new sleek aesthetic that is prominent in contemporary design.

In this episode, DeRusha and Heath discussed the old debate of form versus function in design and the newer question of whether advances in materials drive design, or do design requirements cause material evolutions.

“We are living and designing in a time that all the elements are merging in perfect harmony,” DeRusha said.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the AEC Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @AECMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

WatsonX Orders
DevOps Meets the Drive-Thru: How IBM WatsonX Orders is Powering AI-Driven QSR Efficiency
March 14, 2025

The drive-thru experience is evolving faster than ever, thanks to AI-powered automation and DevOps-driven innovation. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) process thousands of orders daily, facing challenges like labor shortages, operational inconsistencies, and the need for rapid adaptation to customer demands. With AI-backed solutions, brands can optimize their workflows, cut costs, and improve customer experience. IBM…

Read More
Agentic AI
Agentic AI: IBM is Powering the Next Wave of Autonomous, Intelligent Decision-Making
March 14, 2025

Retail has long embraced automation, but now it’s taking a leap into a new frontier—autonomous decision-making. Enter agentic AI, a technology that doesn’t just automate tasks but makes real-time, intelligent decisions. With major retailers like Walmart integrating AI-driven fulfillment robots and brands such as Bath & Body Works rolling out personalized AI-powered shopping assistants,…

Read More
QSR connectivity
How IBM and Hughes Are Powering the Future of QSR Connectivity & Fast Food Tech
March 14, 2025

Quick service restaurants (QSRs) are under increasing pressure to enhance speed, efficiency, and customer experience—all while managing a growing network of digital systems. From AI-powered ordering kiosks to real-time kitchen automation, modern QSRs are more connected than ever. The restaurant AI market was valued at $9.68 billion in 2024, and expected to reach $49 billion…

Read More
Trade tariffs
From Asia to the World: How Dimerco is Helping Businesses Navigate New Trade Tariffs and Supply Chain Shifts
March 13, 2025

The global supply chain is once again at a crossroads, with shifting trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and economic fluctuations shaping the way goods move across the world. The looming threat of new trade tariffs on imports from Asia, combined with fluctuating shipping rates, is creating a challenging landscape for logistics professionals. With businesses re-evaluating…

Read More