Grad Spotlight Q&A: David Thompson from Industrial Design

Meet David Thompson, a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Industrial Design program and Product Designer – Manufacturing at Tulmar Safety Systems. Tulmar is a company with 30 years experience in designing, manufacturing, distributing, and servicing advanced safety solutions for land, air, and sea applications that are trusted by the defence, aviation, and civil safety industries globally.

In his role, David is responsible for designing and developing products from the initial concept stage all the way to final manufacturing. This involves applying both design and engineering principles to ensure the product is functional, safe, and manufacturable.

You first met with Tulmar at the Ottawa Grad Career Fair in June. Is there anything you said or did during that conversation that you think helped you stand out as a candidate?

When speaking with the Tulmar team at the fair, I brought a printed version of my portfolio. They took the time to flip through my work, which I believe played a significant role in their interest. I truly think that moment contributed heavily to me getting my first interview.

How did you connect with Tulmar after the fair?

When I spoke with the Tulmar team, I was able to give them my business card, which later led to them reaching out to me. That connection opened the door to further conversations and eventually the opportunity to join the company.

What motivated you to apply at Tulmar, and later accept a job with them?

While researching for my fourth-year capstone project Namik in Industrial Design, I came across Tulmar’s products as part of my market analysis. Their offerings aligned closely with the area I was exploring ─ first responder PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] ─ which sparked my interest in the company.

What stood out to me was that Tulmar manufactures directly in Canada, which I found especially appealing. So, when I received the offer, I was excited to accept it. The role aligned with my interests and allowed me to build on the work I had done during my capstone project.

What has been the best or most interesting element of your new role?

It’s amazing how hands-on this role is. As product designers, we’re involved in many aspects, not just the design, but also the production process. It’s been incredible to see the other side of design, which includes manufacturing.

We get to think about how to make a product easily reproducible and how to communicate the thinking behind its construction all the way through to final manufacturing. Being part of that process has given me a deeper appreciation for the full lifecycle of a product.

What skills did you gain at Carleton that have been most valuable in your role?

The skills I learned at Carleton that I’ve directly used in my role include 3D modeling and CAD design, sketching, prototyping, design thinking, and material selection.

Overall, I’d say the Industrial Design program at Carleton gave me the opportunity to explore all my interests in the design space to the fullest, helping me realize things I never thought I’d be able to do. The studio environment also helped me develop hands-on skills like sewing, woodworking, and 3D printing, which I wouldn’t have had the chance to learn without access to all the tools at my disposal at Carleton.

What advice would you give to other students who are job hunting or beginning their professional careers?

I’d recommend going to every networking event or career fair, even if you think there won’t be anything relevant to your field. When I went to the Ottawa Grad Career Fair, I had a preconceived notion that there may not be anything for me, and it turned out to be a completely different story.

Be willing to step outside your comfort zone. I was only applying for jobs on LinkedIn and never considered working in a smaller city or moving somewhere new to start my career [Tulmar’s facilities are in Hawkesbury, about an hour away from Ottawa]. I decided to take the leap with this opportunity because it aligned perfectly with everything I was looking for ─ except the location. Ultimately, I chose to move forward because I saw a unique chance for growth within the company, an opportunity I knew I wouldn’t find anywhere else. Being one of the few Industrial Designers at the time of joining meant I could make a real impact and help shape the future of the design team. That would be my biggest piece of advice. Keep your options open.

Is there anything else you think students should know?

When you’re in school, take advantage of every tool at your disposal to explore the things you’re passionate about. There are so many courses, resources, and professionals available to you, and often people don’t fully push the boundaries of what they have access to.

At Carleton, I found that people were not only willing but genuinely eager to help. Whether it was faculty, staff, or peers, the support system was there, you just had to reach out and make use of it.