A traditional desk style would be in a traditional shape like an L shape or a straight horizontal shape with desk drawers on both side of the chair area, with a middle drawer and a closed front and or sides so it provides privacy to the worker sitting at the desk. An office desk contemporary styled design desk can be made of many styles and materials. A contemporary styled desk would be more modern in style than a more traditional desk style.

It might also be one of those ubiquitous frasco metal desks with a fake light wood laminate top. A desk in a contemporary style may not be so ponderous looking.

A traditional desk style would be more what you might see on a bank lending platform. Whether L shaped or straight it may not have a dropped front and sides, they would be open. It may be quite heavy and generally made of wood or a laminate or some form of material that simulates wood. Differences between an office desk contemporary style and a traditional desk style. A contemporary desk may have no drawers but would have bins on the work surface..

It could be quite light in design perhaps with a clean light weight look.