It is awarded to people who have achieved "sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for industry".
Everyone who holds the distinction is a Member of The Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry (founded in 1938).
In addition, the RSA may confer HonRDI titles up to a maximum of half the number of people who currently hold the distinction RDI.
Every two years a new Master of the Faculty is elected by the past Masters, who include Dinah Casson, Mike Dempsey, Sir Kenneth Grange, Geoffrey Harcourt, Martin Hunt, Timothy O’Brien, Chris Wise, Malcolm Garrett and Tristram Carfrae.
The list identifies current RDIs, the date of their award, and the category of design for which they were honoured.