Award-winning, multidisciplinary designer Mardi Najafi brings over 28 years of international experience to the world of design. From Paris to New York to Toronto, Mardi has led the creative direction of branded retail and hospitality environments for clients ranging from boutique businesses to Fortune 500 giants—including Coca-Cola, Adidas, Virgin Mobile, Penguin Shop, and Versace.

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As Chief Creative Officer at SDI Design, Mardi drives the studio’s creative vision alongside Joanne Chan, championing design excellence, innovation, and human-centered thinking across every project. His work is defined by a passion for storytelling through space, creating memorable, emotionally resonant brand experiences.

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Mardi is also the only Canadian designer to receive the Legion of Honor Award from the International Retail Design Institute, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the global retail design industry.

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Beyond the studio, Mardi is a respected speaker, educator, and panelist who regularly contributes to the evolution of the design industry. He is frequently invited to serve as a juror for prestigious international design awards, where he helps shape and celebrate design excellence on a global scale. He is also deeply committed to mentorship and community, volunteering his time on various professional design advisory committees and collaborating with leading design schools.

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A former two-term President of the Retail Design Institute Canada, Mardi continues to influence the future of retail and experiential design through thought leadership and active industry engagement.