What is the Definition of Modern Design

What is the definition of modern design? It sounds like a simple enough question, but the answer is not so straightforward. This style of design encompasses a lot of different incarnations, but there are some general ideas that apply to all versions of modern design.

What Is the Definition of Modern Design - History

Modern design is part of the larger movement of modernism. Modernism is usually dated back to around the end of the 19th century, although there are examples of modernist thought before that time. Essentially, modernism is associated with modern thinking. The modernists were keen to shake off the intellectual, creative and cultural norms of the Enlightenment and to push the boundaries both culturally and creatively. This included a movement away from organized religion and the idea of a single, omnipotent god. The modernists were concerned with developing new norms and mores that were more suited to a world that had experienced great change since the Industrial Revolution. The words of Ezra Pound became one of the mantras for modernism: Make It New!

Modernism started as an intellectual movement, but soon spilled over into all parts of life, from the political to the creative. Literature, art, music and design - both architectural and interior design - all fell under the influence of modernism. Just some of a few of the subgenres of art and design that fall under the heading of modernism include Futurism, Bauhaus, Neo-Dada, Cubism, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism.

There is no concrete end date for modernism, though most people agree that Post-Modernism began in the 1980s (though the date is earlier for music). Post-modernism is the subject of much debate amongst scholars, with some believing it is defined as conceptualism and intermedia creations, while others believe modernism has never really ended or given way to post-modernism.

What Is the Definition of Modern Design - Design Themes

Modernism was a rejection of the ornate flourishes of other design styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles of design. Some themes associated with modern design include:

Clean, straight lines
Stainless steel, chrome and other metals
Minimalism
Lack of clutter (accessories, etc)
Primary colors (bold colors used for accents with white, black or neutral colors used for furniture and other large pieces)

These are the basic themes of modern design, although the actual application can vary greatly. Modern design encompasses both the bright and bold designs of a store like Ikea and ultra minimalist furniture at the same time. On one end of the spectrum, the spirit behind modern design is to reject the notion of designing for mass appeal in favor of starker and more minimalist designs, while on the other end of the spectrum you will find designs inspired by the bold colors used in abstract art.

See Modern Design

Are you looking for examples of modern interior design? The following links will help you get a better feel for modern design in action. Some are from here on LoveToKnow Interior Design and some are offsite links: