WE LOVE WHAT WE DO
THURNER DESIGN is a design house focusing on exclusive future mobility, consumer goods, and industrial design, as well as tailored one-off offerings.
We are a group of designers, engineers, storytellers, and craftsmen who have been contributors to the renaissance of automotive ultra-luxury in the 21st century. The design team has extensive experience in shaping and directing designs and brands like Rolls-Royce Motorcars, Bentley Motors, Bugatti, and more.
We are inspired by the power of innovation and collaboration. We love what we do and are driven by a relentless pursuit of design excellence.
We offer services throughout the entire development process - from the ideation to extraordinary and fully operational products.
THURNER DESIGN was founded by Andreas and Annette Thurner in 2020 in California as a division of Thurner Inc.

CARS THAT MATTER with ROBERT ROSS - 2025
In this exclusive episode of The Cars That Matter Podcast, Marek Djordjevic, Chair of Transportation Design at Art Center of Design, and Andreas Thurner, CEO of Thurner Design, dive deep into the world of automotive excellence—and the story of the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Rolls-Royce Ghost.
Join us as we explore the craftsmanship, innovation, and design philosophy that make these vehicles true works of art—from the hand-built perfection of the Phantom to the contemporary elegance of the Ghost.

"As part of a partnership between ZHVR and THURNER DESIGN for a future mobility systemdevelopments, Andreas Thurner developed a concept for a transportation system for mid- tolong-distance travel inside the virtual space. The design is a system of floating platforms,generated by the individual user and self-driving, the platform adapts its size to the numberof occupants and delivers the user to a selected destination at a choice of speeds fromscenic too fast. The platforms - called Gliders - can be spawned by the users at any of thepathways and their intersections embedded in the landscape. From a small, hand-sizedobject, drawn from their inventory, the Gliders grow into their functional size, ready to beboarded. From there, users can select their destinations and can modify the platforms tooffer full enclosures, seating, displays, etc., hosting singular travelers or groups that woulduse the Gliders for gatherings and tours." (Zaha Hadid VR Group)

Andreas Thurner Founder and President of THURNER DESIGN

ANDREAS THURNER
After graduating from the University of Design Pforzheim, Germany, in 2004, Thurner joined Rolls-Royce Motorcars, where he designed the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Ghost SII, the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the Rolls-Royce Phantom SII family (sedan, convertible and coupe), the Ghost SII, and co-designed the Rolls-Royce Wraith.
In 2013, Andreas was appointed to lead Advanced and Innovation Design at the BMW Group, being responsible for future concept design and innovation developments for BMW, BMWi, MINI, and Rolls-Royce Motorcars.
In 2016 Andreas and his family moved to California to join an EV start-up. In 2019, Andreas was appointed as Vice President of Global Design and Architecture at Karma Automotive, where he was responsible for the concept and design development of the EV Hypercar SC2.
In 2020, Andreas and his wife, Annette, founded Thurner Design in California, a design agency with global operations and clients.

AWARDS
Rolls-Royce Ghost - Red Dot Award 'Best of the Best' for the very highest level of design - 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost - Robb Report 'Best of the Best' Sedan - 2010 Rolls-Royce Wraith - Luxurious Magazines 'Car of the Year' - 2014 Rolls-Royce Dawn - Robb Report 'Best of the Best' Convertible - 2015 Rolls-Royce Dawn - Robb Report 'Design of the Year' - 2015 Rolls-Royce Dawn - German Design Council 'Best of the Best' - 2016 Karma SC2 - Robb Report 'Best of the Best' Show Car of the Year - 2020 Mullen Five - ZEVAS Award 'Best Zero-Emission SUV' LA Auto Show - 2021

“For a designer to stand out and to be outstanding are to embody different qualities to me and Andreas has achieved both distinctions in the context of this work at BMW Design and in particular Rolls-Royce. I know Andreas as a soft-spoken deep thinker who contemplates and acts in a design mode that is extremely well suited for challenges where the intangibles of the brand are paramount. His design feeling is his own yet never out of reach to the rest of us; if anything, he was the step ahead in the elegant simplicity that many were hoping to achieve.”

Chris BangleFormer Design Director, BMW Group Design

“From the outset, it was clear that we had acquired a very special talent in Andreas, demonstrated by his rapid assimilation of authentic Rolls-Royce design themes as he set out about the task of creating tomorrow’s models with great success, his exterior design proposal for the (2009) Ghost model being just one of several of his projects chosen for production. He is an extremely hard-working and reliable team member, prepared to give his all in seeking the perfect solution for each situation”

Ian CameronFormer Design Director, Rolls-Royce Motorcars

”Andreas' final design model of the RR Ghost was so beautiful that I actually cried when he presented it, and even today the memory of that moment I cherish. It is a privilege to be with iconic design at the moment of its birth, and I thank Andreas for giving me that opportunity. He is a highly creative, solid, serious, and intellectual car designer that understands how important it is for his colleagues to join in his passion and share his triumphs. I am sure he has many more icons in him.”

Chris BangleFormer Design Director, BMW Group Design

“Mr. Thurner was responsible for the exterior design and design development of the Rolls-Royce Dawn. He performed the very demanding task in a remarkable and highly professional manner. Due to his outstanding project management competence, he resolved the conflicting goals in the design-technique-convergence process sustainably and confidently. His leadership skills and his team spirit had a very positive effect on the overall working atmosphere in the vehicle project. ”

Manfred DunkelFormer Vehicle Project Manager Rolls-Royce Dawn, Rolls-Royce Motorcars

“Andreas stood out as both a world-class design executive and leader for many reasons. Andreas's leadership was critical to successfully building a new, ultra-luxury brand. Andreas’s passion for excellence, enthusiasm, skill, and talent was evident in every project he undertook. Andreas and his team created and produced breakthrough designs! Karma’s SC1 and SC2 demonstrate the talent and vision that Andreas and his team have. Karma’s SC2 was awarded Best of the Best - Concept Car of the Year 2020 by Robb Report.”

John A. MaloneyFormer President & CEO, Volvo Cars North America. Former Chief Revenue Officer, Karma Automotive