BECOME A CONVERT

Have you ever thought about a DIY conversion? If so, you'll need some guidance, and where better than The Van Conversion Bible by Charlie Low and Dale Comley. Here, we feature an extract from the Design chapter

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How to design your 'van

When it comes to designing your 'van, where should you start? While sketching layouts may seem like the obvious first step, there's more to consider before picking up a pencil. The design phase is the pivotal moment in your 'van's development, where cost, complexity and build time could spiral if you're not careful.

There are many different approaches you can take when designing a campervan, but we believe the most effective way is to adopt the user-centred design process.

This is an approach used to break down a large project into logical phases, focused on meeting the needs of the user throughout. It will ensure you spend time taking your campervan layout from a few scribbles to a fully matured design. The user-centred design process provides the foundations for the middle three pillars of our 'van conversion process, and will make up the core sections of this chapter.

Define

Determine exactly what you need from your 'van. Don't try to come up with any solutions, simply define your requirements. You should refer back to them throughout the process, so you can ensure the layout meets your needs.

Concept

Explore ideas for your campervan layout, using paper sketches, graphic design programs and even physical models. Use mood boards to establish your interior design preferences, and combine the two to help you decide on a concept. Refer back to your requirements throughout this process.

Develop

Develop your concept by defining your electrical, water and gas systems, and create schematic diagrams for each. Generate more detailed layouts and ensure your final design meets your requirements. Integrate your systems and your layout to produce a final 'blueprint' you can refer back to throughout your build.