The Design Moments We Loved This Year (And the Stories You Should Revisit)
Our Editors’ Take
- “Strong partnerships are built on trust, humility, and a willingness to grow together—qualities that make design teams unstoppable.”
- “Design is at its best when it supports human wellbeing, blending neuroscience, psychology, and biophilia to create healthier spaces.”
- “Experiencing Spain’s design traditions firsthand reminded me how innovation and heritage can work hand in hand to elevate the built environment.”
To borrow a phrase from Monty Python: “..and now for something completely different…” In celebration of Thanksgiving week, I asked my interiors+sources colleagues to choose a piece of content that represents something they are grateful for in the interior design industry—evolving practice, an experience, themes, etc. And as is our mission as a brand, we also shared the “why” behind our selections—with both interesting and heartwarming results. We hope that you enjoy this little glimpse inside our editorial minds! –Carrie Meadows
Robert Nieminen’s Pick: ‘The Power of Partnership’
As I consider gratitude for what I’m seeing in the industry, I’m reminded of a heartwarming conversation I had with Perkins&Will’s Koko Nomura and Nirmala Srinivasa on the I Hear Design podcast in which they talked about what makes strong partnerships within teams.
Likewise, it’s my personal aspiration to lead my team with grace and navigate challenges with empathy—and my conversation with these two intrepid women reminded me of how thankful I am for the people with whom I have the privilege of working each day. Humility and heart are the watchwords I’m keeping as my guides, especially during these turbulent times.
Why This Resonates with Robert:
“I’m grateful for teams built on trust, humility, and collaboration—and the reminder to lead with grace through challenging times.”
Lauren Brant’s Pick: ‘The Merging of Neuroscience and Biophilic Design’
The design industry is doing amazing work. I’m grateful to see design centered on wellness. Post-COVID, we’ve seen a return-to-office boom, begging questions about how to redesign workspaces to meet the needs of home and the functionality of work. Another factor within that discussion is the overall well-being of the users in said space.
Our I Hear Design Podcast episode titled “How Neuroaesthetics and Biophilic Design Are Shaping Healthier Spaces with Sara Balderi and Diedre Hoguet” of Designtex highlights the value the design industry places on well-being.
We’ve seen biophilia emerge in the past several years, and it continues to influence design practice. Now, neuroaesthetics seeks to understand the ways in which neuroscience, psychology, and aesthetics intersect in design. I’m grateful to see these values reflected across various design verticals from education to hospitality. The melting pot of biophilic design, psychology, and neuroaesthetics creates truly purposeful designs and spaces for people wherever they are, showing how holistic design affects the overall experience.
Why This Resonates with Lauren:
“I’m grateful for design that nurtures wellbeing as explored in I Hear Design, blending psychology, biophilia, and neuroaesthetics for all spaces.”
Carrie Meadows’ Pick: ‘Passport to Explore Past, Present, and Future in Design’
I’m grateful for the opportunities to learn from travels both domestic and international that helped me to appreciate firsthand how the collaborative spirit of the design industry connects people, place, and purpose.
In joining a group of designers, architects, and other media influencers on the Tile of Spain Consortium’s “Passport to Creativity” Tour earlier this year, I enjoyed such a unique and distinct experience in terms of bringing together the artistic, cultural, and historical influences that enrich the Spanish tile legacy.
Of course, this trip brought the Spanish tile market and manufacturers into sharp focus, with factory, showroom, and Cevisama show floor interactions. But it also cultivated my awareness of—and appreciation for—the challenge of preserving design traditions, and bridging those traditions with new design techniques and manufacturing technologies for high-performance surface materials that enable designers to create extraordinary, multifaceted experiences in the built environment.
Why This Resonates with Carrie:
“Seeing Spain’s design heritage up close deepened my appreciation for the industry’s ability to honor tradition while pushing material innovation forward.”
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.
Lauren Brant
Editor, i+s and BUILDINGS
Lauren Brant is an editor at both i+s and BUILDINGS. Prior to joining Endeavor Business Media, she served as deputy news editor at a daily and editor of a weekly newspaper. She is an award-winning editor and writer.
Carrie Meadows
Editor-in-Chief
Carrie Meadows is Editor-in-Chief of interiors+sources (i+s), where she leads editorial strategy, content development, and brand storytelling focused on the people, projects, and innovations shaping the design industry. With more than two decades of experience in B2B media, she has built a career connecting technical expertise with creative insight—translating complex topics into meaningful stories for professional audiences. Before joining i+s in 2024, Carrie served as Editor-in-Chief of LEDs Magazine within Endeavor Business Media’s Digital Infrastructure & Lighting Group, guiding coverage of emerging lighting technologies, sustainability, and human-centric design. Her earlier editorial experience spans across Laser Focus World, Vision Systems Design, Lightwave, and CleanRooms, where she managed print and digital publications serving the optics, photonics, and semiconductor sectors.
An advocate for clear communication and thoughtful storytelling, Carrie combines her editorial management, SEO, and content strategy expertise to help brands and readers stay informed in a rapidly evolving media landscape. When she’s not crafting content, Carrie can be found volunteering at a local animal shelter, diving into a good crime novel, or spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her favorite four-legged friends.