The Royal Society for Arts (RSA) has appointed seven distinguished creatives as Royal Designers for Industry, recognizing individuals who "exemplify the power of design" to create meaningful impact on society. Among this year's honorees are renowned designer Yinka Ilori and acclaimed data journalist Mona Chalabi, joining an exclusive group limited to only 200 designers worldwide at any given time.
The prestigious award, which has been presented annually since 1936, honors those who have demonstrated sustained design excellence and made significant contributions to society through their creative work. This year's selection includes five recipients of the full Royal Designer for Industry title and two who received the Honorary Royal Designer for Industry designation.
The five new Royal Designers for Industry include Yinka Ilori, known for his vibrant and culturally-inspired design work, and Mona Chalabi, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist recognized for her innovative approach to data visualization. The group also encompasses graphic designer Frith Kerr, multidisciplinary artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, and stone carver Teucer Wilson. Additionally, digital design pioneer April Greiman and structural design expert Philippe Block were honored with the title of Honorary Royal Designer for Industry.
According to the RSA, all winners "exemplify the power of design to connect beauty with responsibility and imagination with impact." Johanna Gibbons, master of the faculty of Royal Designers for Industry, emphasized the transformative nature of design in contemporary society. "Design lives and breathes in everything around us – it's the meeting point of creativity, care and courage," Gibbons stated. "Each of our new Royal Designers shows how design can transform the way we see and shape the world, bringing people together and restoring balance between human and natural systems."
The award carries significant prestige within the design community, with previous recipients including fashion icons Paul Smith and Zandra Rhodes, as well as technology innovators like industrial designer Jony Ive and World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee. Through this recognition program, the RSA aims to "celebrate design as a living force for progress" and highlight the vital role creativity plays in addressing societal challenges.
Joanna Choukeir, RSA's head of design and innovation, described the organization's mission in supporting the design community. "The RSA celebrates design as the creative force shaping how we live – in everything we see, use and imagine," Choukeir explained. "The RDIs represent design at its most ambitious – not as decoration or luxury, but as a vital force for change. We are delighted to welcome these new RDIs and HRDIs and are proud to be the home of the world's most prestigious design community."
Among the honorees, Ilori has recently gained attention for his flower-covered Bloomingdale's pop-up installation, showcasing his signature approach of combining bold colors with meaningful cultural narratives. Chalabi, meanwhile, was previously interviewed by Dezeen in 2023 following her historic Pulitzer Prize win for illustrated reporting, making her a standout figure in the intersection of journalism and visual design. Both represent the evolving landscape of contemporary design, where traditional boundaries between disciplines continue to blur in service of greater social impact.
