campervan.
UX/UI Design
Sound Design
Product owner; myself
Duration; 3 months
THe design question.
"How can I design my camper's interior for extended travel and living, considering off-grid camping?"
what i designed.
Low furniture.
To make the space feel as open as possible, I made the decision to implement low furniture. This means that when you are standing up in the van, you have more space around your head. After testing, it turned out that this way there would not be enough storage. I have therefore implemented a foldout bed in the final design, which can be folded up against the wall. What you're left with is a bench to sit on, which is aligned with the kitchen, and a mattress against the wall, which is aligned with the cupboards above it so that the wall is leveled. These alignments and the leveling of the wall ensures the van still feels open, while also adding more storage space on top and a smart solution for a sleeping/seating area.
Multifunctional layout.
The camper utilizes smart and multifunctional furniture to save space and make the small van feel as big and open as possible from the inside. There are three possible layouts. The door that leads to the cabin is the core support for the furniture in these layouts. The door sits in a frame that allows it to swivel down, so it can fold out. The mirror that hangs on the door acts as a support so that the door, when folded out, can act as a table.
It can also be lowered one more step, to act as a support for the bed. You can then fold out the bed from the wall so it forms a full-size, 140x200cm bed.
Scent and sound from nature.
I have tested how sound and scent from nature affects the way we experience a small space. To test this, I made a very low fidelity prototype that used VR glasses to put the respondents in a small and empty room. They had to experience this room for a minute before getting a headset with calm bird and forest sounds and a little basket filled with plants and dirt to create a forest-like scent. The results from this test were very positive, so I have decided to implement a scent and sound system that simulates forest sounds and smell to help with creating a feeling of openness in the van.
what i learned.
Invloving more people.
Reflecting on my project, I am pleased with how I addressed the design question and formed a concept that suits my personal needs in a campervan. My research into essential camper features, particularly focusing on off-grid electrical systems, informed my design. By integrating space for a battery system and solar panels, I achieved my off-grid goal.
Emphasizing open space was crucial to avoid feeling confined. Iterating different layouts and testing with respondents and an experienced builder led to a design with substantial open space and multifunctional furniture. However, involving more experts could have enriched the concept. Relying mainly on one experts insights, though valuable, limited the diversity of input. More expert opinions might have resulted in a more unique or functional design.
recommendations for myself.
Looking forward, I recommend myself to conducting brainstorming sessions with multiple stakeholders. Understanding various perspectives on "openness" and "freedom" is vital. Additionally, engaging with more experienced camper builders can provide valuable insights and ideas for multifunctional furniture, helping to avoid common pitfalls.
Lastly, while the "Plant Bus" concept effectively utilized natural elements to enhance the camper's ambiance, further research is needed to identify which specific scents and sounds best evoke feelings of openness and joy. This refinement would ensure the sensory elements align more closely with the intended emotional experience.
