Design Council

Each year, Appleton Coated brings together a panel of leading designers from across North America to serve on our Design Council. We meet to learn first-hand about issues and trends that they observe in their region and to share trends that we see in paper and print. Engaging designers in a dialogue about their business and ours helps us to shape a relevant marketing program that supports our customer's success.

Bill Thorburn

Bill Thorburn
Founding Principal, The Thorburn Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bill opened up Thorburn Design in 1994 with the pioneering vision that a design firm could take a greater role in brand development. Bill has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious brands: Coke, Harley Davidson, Disney, Formica, United Colors of Benetton, Nike, Porsche, LaCoste and Capital Records. His work has been exhibited worldwide and within the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, The Smithsonian Institution, and The Library of Congress.



David Kohler

David Kohler
Owner & Executive Creative Director, OTTO, New York, New York

David’s work includes on stage and screen performances for companies such as Curtis Institute of Music, Design Hotels, Duracell and Columbia University. He has won awards from such organizations as AIGA, Communication Arts Interactive, Type Directors Club, New York Art Directors Club, and an ADDY. He has work in the permanent archive of the Smithsonian, and has been exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.



Justin Ahrens

Justin Ahrens
Principal, Rule29, Geneva, Illinois

Justin is the principal of Rule29, a strategic creative firm located in Geneva, Illinois. His work has been recognized by leading publications including Communication Arts, HOW, PRINT, Graphis, Create, Rockport Publishers and STEP. In 2004, Graphic Design USA chose him as one of the top designers to watch. He frequently spreads his “making creative matter” mantra while speaking at various events, and has served on the AIGA, HOW Advisory Board and now Appleton Coated Design Council.




Kathleen Turaski

Kathleen Turaski
Co-founder & Principal, Resonance Marketing, Atlanta, Georgia

Kathleen is the co-founder and principal of Atlanta-based Resonance Marketing, which strengthens brand images for a variety of organizations. Much of her talent, energy, and passion is applied toward helping non-profit organizations communicate more effectively. She has also served on the board of directors for the Atlanta chapter of AIGA and on the faculty of Creative Circus, an advertising and design school.




Lynda Decker

Lynda Decker
Owner & Principal, Decker Design Inc., New York, New York

Lynda Decker owner and principal of New York City based Decker Design. Since 1996, her firm has helped some of the biggest and most dynamic organizations in business influence their customers and stakeholders through expertly designed visual communications. Her work has been recognized with industry awards such as AIGA, Communication Arts, Graphis, NY Art Director’s Club, WEBBY and a CLIO. An active member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Lynda is a past vice president and board member for the New York chapter.




Bryan Peterson

Bryan Peterson
Owner & Principal, Peterson Ray & Company, Dallas, Texas

Bryan founded PR&C, a visionary branding communications firm, in 1985. Since then, his work has appeared often in leading design journals. Clients include some of the nation’s most prestigious schools and Fortune 500 companies. His best-selling book is used as a design textbook on campuses nationwide. In addition to his passion for design, Bryan pounds out boogie-woogie piano for a Texas-based singer songwriter and relishes the quality of life creativity brings in any format.


Lori Carrabba

Lori Carrabba
Print Production Professional, Peapack, New Jersey

As EVP, Director of Operations at Ogilvy Healthworld, Lori was responsible for the workflow, policies, and procedures of the organization. Lori is Past President of the Advertising Production Club and a recipient of numerous industry awards: Idea/Alliance Luminaire Award, APC Advertising Production Person of the Year, and the Printing Industries Alliance Franklin/Power of Communications Award for Advertising. In her spare time Lori can be found in Italy, taking in the sights.