Become a Member of the Retail Design Institute
Since 1961, the Retail Design Institute has been the only non-profit organization dedicated to the international profession of Retail Store Planning and Design. Being part of the Institute's global organization provides the opportunity to connect with design professionals around the world. Join now and share in the market intelligence of new projects and emerging design trends.
Membership Types
Please click on the headings below to jump ahead to the membership level that most applies to you.
Professional Membership​​
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Apply for this membership if you are a designer or architect employed by a retailer or contract design firm.​
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Apply for this membership if you are on a career track to becoming a Professional Member who is still fulfilling educational, tenure, and/or certification requirements.
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Allied Membership​​
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Apply for this membership if you are an essential member of the design and customer experience team supporting Retail Design and are a specialist in your own right. This includes but is not limited to ​Visual Merchandisers, Graphic Designers, Lighting Consultants, In-Store Digital/Technology Experts, Draftsmen & Detailers, Marketing Professionals, and Other Specialists.
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Apply for this membership if you are an individual or supplier representing a company that provides products or services to the customer and branded environment/product profession.
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Apply for this membership if you are a current educator and do not qualify for any of the other membership types.
Student Membership​​
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Apply for this membership if you are a current student and do not qualify for any of the other membership types.
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Media Membership​​
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Apply for this membership if you are a working journalist, writer, or editor reporting in the field of branded environments.
Professional Membership
Membership Criteria​​
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The applicant is a designer or architect employed by a retailer or contract design firm.​
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The applicant must have two sponsors who are ‘Professional Members’ in good standing of the Retail Design Institute.
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​Two Professional member sponsors must attest that the application is accurate to the best of their knowledge. If an applicant cannot obtain two Retail Design Institute Professional Member sponsors, they can substitute other professionals from the design or architectural fields. Applicant must also submit a signed statement listing store projects worked on and their specific contributions thereto; together with documentation sufficient to satisfy the Retail Design Institute International Executive of the candidate’s professional experience.
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The applicant must meet (1) of the following (3) experience-related criteria-
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If you do not meet any of the experience-related criteria outlined below, please apply as an Associate Member.
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​CRITERIA 1: The applicant has been engaged on a full-time basis in the profession of store environments and design for a minimum of 8 years and the applicant is professionally competent in (5) or more of the following areas of endeavor:​
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Store Planning​
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Retail Design
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Architecture
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Fixture Design
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Merchandising
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Lighting
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Colors & Materials
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Specification Writing
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Project/Construction Administration
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Brand Strategy
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CRITERIA 2: ​The applicant has been engaged on a full-time basis in the profession of store environments and design for a minimum of 8 years and the applicant holds a four-year degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or Engineering from an accredited college or university.
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CRITERIA 3: The applicant has been engaged on a full-time basis in the profession of store environments and design for a minimum of 4 years and the applicant holds a four-year degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or Engineering from an accredited college or university and the applicant holds either NCIDQ or NCARB certification (or international equivalent).​
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Professional Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Professional" members may utilize the appellation "RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​
Associate Membership
Membership Criteria​​
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The applicant is on a career track to becoming a Professional Member who is still fulfilling educational, tenure, and/or certification requirements as described under the "Professional Member Criteria" above.
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Upon the fifth and subsequent renewal, the Member shall be reviewed by their local Chapter for fulfillment of requirements and upgrade to ‘Professional’ status. Approved Associate Members may use the appellation Associate RDI.
Associate Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Associate" members may utilize the appellation "Associate RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​
Allied Membership
Membership Criteria​​
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The applicant is an essential member of the design and customer experience team supporting Retail Design and is a specialist in their own right. This includes but is not limited to:
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​Visual Merchandisers
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Graphic Designers
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Lighting Consultants
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In-Store Digital/Technology Experts
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Draftsmen & Detailers
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Marketing Professionals
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Other Specialists
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Allied Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Allied" members may utilize the appellation "Allied RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​
Trade Membership
Membership Criteria​​
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Primary Trade Membership Criteria
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​Individual or supplier representing a company that provides products or services to the customer and branded environment/product profession.
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Additional Trade Company Reps Membership Criteria
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​Additional individuals or suppliers representing a Primary Trade Member company that provides products or services to the customer and branded environment/product profession.
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Trade Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Trade" members may utilize the appellation "Trade RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​
Educator Membership
Membership Criteria​​
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The applicant must be a current educator and not qualify for any of the other membership types.
Educator Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Educator" members may utilize the appellation "Educator RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​
Student Membership
Membership Criteria​​​
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The applicant must be a current student and not qualify for any of the other membership types.
Student Appellation
Once membership is approved, only "Student" members may utilize the appellation "Student RDI" after their names to denote accreditation.​​