Bryan Thompson

Bryan Thompson is an American media consultant as well as graphic, automotive and freelance designer widely known for his ten-year tenure as an interior and exterior stylist with Nissan Design America in San Diego, California — as well as his concept designs for Mack Trucks (subsidiary of Volvo), Embraer and Airstream. Thompson has freelance-designed in studios globally, including in France, Japan, Austria, and Brazil."

Background Born in Phoenix, Arizona to Benjamin J. and Peggy Thompson, he developed a passion for design as a child: and allowed him at age five to redecorate their home, "giving me that freedom definitely ignited a spark and confidence that you can change the space you’re in, I’m very grateful she did that." He began drawing cars at age three after noticing the neighbor's Datsun B210 Honey Bee: "It had tiny wheels, awkward styling and a giant decal of a Bee plastered on the side. At three years old, I was in love." Having developed a passion for old, under-appreciated economy cars, Thompson was featured in a 2011 New York Times article by noted automotive journalist, Phil Patton, who related Thompson's effort to find a new home for his 1990 Nissan Pao after the closure of the museum where it was featured.

After studying at Arizona State University, Thompson received a Bachelor of Industrial Design degree from Detroit's College for Creative Studies (CCS) in 1999 and was subsequently employed at Nissan Design America in San Diego from 1999 to 2009 — at what was then, Nissan Design International (NDI).

He has lived in Los Angeles with his partner, since 2011. He worked with Nissan designer Doug Wilson on the Nissan Pulsar NX and subsequently led the redesign of the Nissan NV2500 cargo van — presented by Nissan in 2010. Thompson's approach to design is functional and whimsical.

In 2006 he initiated a relationship with Airstream by arriving with a design model of the trailer that would become the company's BaseCamp model, at the opening of the Airstream Diner on Los Angeles's Santa Monica Boulevard.

Media and philanthropy Thompson placed second on the 2014 reality television show "Motor City Masters" on TruTV, winning a 2016 Chevy Camaro Z28 (6th Gen. Camaro). Thompson, who is openly gay, had pledged prior to the show, to start a scholarship for LGBT designers