Retail Design Institute Canada

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Retail Design Institute Canada

The Retail Design Institute promotes the advancement and collaborative practice of creating selling environments.

07/21/2026

📢We’re growing—and we’re looking for passionate leaders to join us.

RDI Canada is currently seeking two dedicated volunteers to join our Board of Directors:

👤Sponsorship Chair – Help build meaningful partnerships that strengthen our community and support our initiatives.

👤Program Chair – Lead the planning and delivery of engaging events and educational programming that connect and inspire our members.

Joining the RDI Canada Board is an opportunity to expand your professional network, develop leadership skills, and make a meaningful impact on the future of retail design across Canada.

If you’re passionate about giving back to the industry and helping shape our growing community, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 To learn more or express your interest, contact us at [email protected]

07/17/2026

✨ Introducing our new Student Spotlight series!

At RDI Canada, we’re proud to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and talent of our student members by showcasing the next generation of retail designers.

Our first feature highlights Avaia, a fourth-year thesis project by Shanelle Guillemette, a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program at Fanshawe College. Designed to address overconsumption in the fashion industry, Avaia is a hybrid retail and production space where donated garments are sorted, deconstructed, and redesigned into one-of-a-kind pieces. By making the upcycling process visible, the project transforms shopping into an educational and immersive experience that encourages visitors to slow down, rethink their choices, and embrace more conscious consumption.

Congratulations, Shanelle, on this inspiring and thoughtful project—we can’t wait to see what’s next. 👏

Are you an RDI Canada student member with a project you’re proud of? We’d love to feature your work in a future Student Spotlight.

06/30/2026

We’re pleased to announce Darren Elliott as the new Western Co-Chair for RDI Canada.
 Co-Founder and President of Made By Pacific, Darren is a lifelong entrepreneur who has followed an unconventional path, gaining hands-on experience across mechanics, residential construction, building inspections, retail, hospitality, and nearly every aspect of the construction industry. With nearly two decades of experience, he leads a vertically integrated construction group delivering projects from concept to completion through collaboration, creativity, transparency, and accountability.
 As Western Co-Chair, Darren is passionate about strengthening connections across the design and construction community, fostering collaboration throughout the industry, and supporting the continued growth and excellence of retail and commercial design across Western Canada.

06/26/2026

Ashwin Raman, RDI, NCIDQ, ARIDO, is Secretary and Board Director of Retail Design Institute Canada and Founder & Principal Design Strategist of Ramans Design Services Inc. With more than 24 years of experience spanning retail, commercial, hospitality, and experiential design, Ashwin has worked with leading global brands to create customer-focused environments that connect design, business strategy, and brand storytelling. Through his role with RDI Canada, he is passionate about strengthening industry connections, supporting professional development, mentoring emerging talent, and helping shape the future of retail experiences across Canada.

05/29/2026

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF CREATIVE EXCHANGE AND MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

📅 June 3rd | 6 – 8 PM
📍 Lightform Showroom | 267 Niagara St, Toronto, ON
Join the Retail Design Institute Canada community for ✨ Afterglow ✨, an evening of connection, conversation, and creative exchange at Lightform’s Toronto showroom.

Designers, architects, brands, students, and industry professionals all in one space.

PLUS 👀
Become an RDI member at the event for your chance to WIN a pair of Toronto Blue Jays tickets courtesy of our Title Sponsor, Aligned Vision Group ⚾️

A big thank you to all of the sponsors featured in this post for supporting the event and helping bring the community together.

Register now:
https://retaildesigninstitute.org/events #!event/2026/6/3/can-afterglow-a-retail-design-social

Fees:
FREE for Members and Non-Members

Registration closes 11pm on June 1.

Limited spots available. Don’t miss it!

05/20/2026

We’re pleased to announce Sarah Bryant as the new Social Media & PR Chair for RDI Canada.

A recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program, Sarah brings a strong passion for creating meaningful, experience-driven environments. Her work is grounded in research-driven thinking, with a strong focus on how design can shape human experience, connection, and wellbeing.

In her role as Social Media & PR Chair, Sarah is passionate about strengthening RDI Canada’s digital presence, fostering connections within the retail design community, and encouraging greater student involvement and engagement with industry professionals.

05/08/2026

📢 We’re growing—and looking for a few great people to join us!
At the Retail Design Institute, we’re continuing to build a dynamic, connected community of retail design professionals, and students —and that starts with a strong, passionate board.
We currently have a few open roles:
Treasurer
Social Media & PR Co-Chair
Sponsorship Co-Chair
If you’re someone who wants to be more involved in the industry, expand your network, and help shape meaningful programming and connections within the retail design community, this is a great opportunity.
👥 Board involvement is also one of the best ways to build relationships across disciplines—designers, strategists, brand leaders, and partners—all working together to elevate the industry.
👀 Curious or interested? We’d love to connect and share more about what’s involved. Email us at: [email protected]
Let’s build something great together!
RDI

05/04/2026

SAVE THE DATE

📅 June 3rd | 6 – 8 PM
📍 Lightform Showroom | 267 Niagara St, Toronto, ON

✨ Afterglow ✨ brings together the retail design community for an evening of connection, creativity, and collaboration—set inside Lightform’s downtown Toronto showroom.
Designers, architects, brands, industry partners, and students—all in one space to exchange ideas, build relationships, and engage with the evolving retail landscape.

An evening designed to foster meaningful connections within the design community.

Register now:
https://retaildesigninstitute.org/events #!event/2026/6/3/can-afterglow-a-retail-design-social

Fees:
FREE for Members and Non-Members

Registration closes at 11pm on June 1.

Limited spots available. Don’t miss it!

02/13/2026

Design students are the future of our industry.
Mentorship bridges the gap between education and practice.

Through meaningful conversations, real-world experiences, and industry connections, Retail Design Institute Canada empowers students to learn beyond the classroom.

Become part of a community that supports design education, mentorship, and retail design excellence.
👉 Join RDI today
🔗 Link in bio

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Toronto, ON

Website

https://retaildesigninstitute.org/retail-design-institute-canada/

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