
The retail industry’s creative professionals collaborative community
since 1961
WELCOME
We are the retail industry’s creative professionals. We were founded in 1961 to be a collaborative community where ideas, knowledge and passion would be shared at a local level and enable our members to fulfill the fast-paced planning and design needs of retail. Today, our membership includes architects, graphic designers, lighting designers, interior designers, store planners, visual merchandisers, resource designers, brand strategists, educators, trade partners, trade media and students of design.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Notice: The Institute’s International Office will be closed in observance of all federal and national holidays in North America, South America and Europe.
Call for Entries: 51st International Design Competition
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 18, 2022
The Institute welcomes projects open from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, for submission in its 51st International Design Competition. In addition to high-resolution photography, all entries are required to include floorplan/s, a 750-word project description as well as a list of product suppliers and consultants. Deadline for submission is April 18, 2022.
Areas include Brand & Brand Activation; Consumer Products & Lifestyle; Food & Beverage; Service Retail and Unbuilt/Conceptual.
Specific retail formats include: In-Store Shop; Kiosk; Pop-Up | Pop-In Shop; Showroom; Department Store; Specialty Hardline; Specialty Softline; Mass Merchant; Big Box l Hypermarket; Home Improvement | DIY; Seasonal Shop; Convenience Store; Specialty Purveyor & Provisioner;Supermarket | Grocery; Bar | Pub; Coffee or Tea Shop; Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurant; Fine Dining; Food Truck or Festival Shop; Apothecary, Pharmacy; Audiology, Dentistry, Optometry; Barber, Salon, Spa; Creative Arts & Crafts DIY Studio; Financial; Telecommunication; Travel Services; Concierge | Lobby | Common Area. Theoretical works can include Unbuilt | Conceptual spaces or Strategy | Thought Leadership.
To register click here. To preview the submission form, click here.
Tempur-Pedic, New York City, is the 2020 Store of the Year!
Tempur-Pedic, New York City, is the Retail Design Institute’s 2020 Store of the Year. Ray Ehscheid, the Institute’s International Chairman and Chair of its Awards Committee, made the official announcement October 12, 2021. “We congratulate the Tempur-Pedic team on their impressive win that channeled multi-sensory experiences for a new 3,100-sq.-ft. store in Manhattan. ”The location takes advantage of its storefront using nature photography much like a window to a landscape beyond,” Ehscheid explained. In addition to its distinction of Store of the Year, judges also bestowed two Innovation Awards on Tempur-Pedic — one each for Materiality and Digital Integration. Catch the entire awards presentation here.
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Retail Design Legion of Honor Inducts Paul Lechleiter
Paul Lechleiter is the latest practitioner to be inducted into the Retail Design Legion of Honor. Lechleiter, who has logged more than 35 years in the retail design industry, is chief creative officer of FRCH NELSON, Cincinnati. As FRCH NELSON’s creative visionary, Lechleiter’s role is hands-on involvement in day-to-day creative output, providing creative leadership for a variety of client relationships….
James Farnell Named Fellow of the Institute
Farnell joined the Institute in 2009 as a Professional member through the Southern California Chapter and later serving as its President August 2011 through October 2014. He was named Professional Member of the Year in 2013 for his work on behalf Southern California. Farnell has consistently upheld the mission and values of the Institute, representing the interests of all Institute’s membership from student to professionals and trade partners…
Announcing the Mark V. Looper Award for Design Collaboration
“We’ve added the ‘Mark V. Looper Award for Design Collaboration,’ because Mark was a champion of collaboration,” notes Andrew McQuilkin, FRDI, chairman of the Student Design Competition.” Throughout his career, McQuilkin explains, “Mark invited and inspired individuals to work together. So the Institute feels strongly about using this opportunity to recognize those who do at the earliest stages in their design profession.”
JOB POSTINGS
Job listings access is now available for non-members!
Memberships are no longer necessary to view the job listings on our website or to post a job listing. Looking to manage your listing? Click here!