Before Vanlifer became known for precision-built campervan conversions and CAD-optimised interiors, it all started with a van, an iPad, and some spare time in Belgium. This journey into the world of van life would eventually lead to innovative van builds and DIY campervan conversion inspiration for many.
A Van, an iPad, and a Spark of Creativity
In 2018, my partner and I had just landed in the UK. Within days, we bought a campervan and hit the road, embracing the van life lifestyle. Over the next six months, we travelled across Europe, living full-time on the road. I had just finished working in the UK film industry on Thunderbirds Are Go, where I was designing sets and concept art.
I've always had a passion for compact living and clever storage solutions. My final university project was a micro camper concept called the Scout Camper—a design that was later recognised at New Zealand's Best Design Awards. You can view it here: Scout Microcamper – Vanlifer Blog. I've long been inspired by the clever design of boats and small spaces, which later influenced my approach to layout design in van conversions.
So, with no workshop and no tools, I turned to my iPad. I began sketching playful cross-section illustrations of campervans—imagining layouts, storage hacks, and functional zones. The style was fun, animated, and full of personality, showcasing various aspects of van builds from custom mattresses to innovative storage solutions.
The First Vanlifer Doodle Goes Viral
I posted that first drawing—based on our own campervan—on Instagram. To my surprise, it quickly spread across the vanlife community. Soon, I started getting messages like:
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"Can you draw my van?"
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"I want one of these on a t-shirt."
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"Can you sketch our entire rental fleet?"
Requests came in from all over the world—New Zealand, Australia, the USA, the UK. Rental companies, manufacturers, and individual vanlifers loved the style. For nearly a year, I ran a side hustle drawing custom campervans from the road. I called the illustration series Vanlifer, and the name stuck.
From Doodles to Digital Fabrication
Over time, the requests evolved. Companies began asking for technical drawings and CAD renderings—clean layouts they could use for real-world campervan conversions. Many of them had been building by hand, and needed help moving into digital design for CNC production. With a background in industrial design, CAD, and 3D rendering, I was well equipped to create detailed layout designs and even wiring diagrams for electrical safety.
Eventually, I decided to put it into practice myself. I designed and built my first full DIY campervan conversion in London—a Ford Transit with swivel seats, a birch ply interior, overhead lockers, a Dometic fridge and stove, and a fixed rear bed with a custom mattress. Everything was planned in CAD, CNC-cut, and assembled like a kit. The van also featured a fresh water tank and a stainless steel sink, essential for full time living on the road.
That first build travelled across Europe with us for another six months before we sold it to a happy new owner—and with that, Vanlifer shifted from illustration brand to builder of real, thoughtfully designed campervan conversions.
The NFT Era: Kiftables
As the doodles gained popularity, they even entered the digital art space. I was invited to collaborate on a series of Vanlifer-style NFTs with the US-based co-living vanlife community, Kift. The series, called Kiftables, featured playful, cross-section-style illustrations of their vehicles and community vans, showcasing various aspects of van life and creative van builds.
Are the Doodles Still Available?
We no longer offer custom Vanlifer doodles as a product, but the spirit of those early sketches lives on in every campervan conversion we build. If you're looking for something special or have a unique idea for a van build or layout design, feel free to get in touch to discuss a one-off illustration or collaboration.
From Sketches to Self-Contained Campervan Conversions
Vanlifer now specialises in modern campervan conversions—fully CAD-designed, CNC-cut, and engineered for adventure. Our builds are no longer drawn by hand, but every line still starts with a designer's eye and a love for creative problem-solving. We incorporate the latest in van life technology, including solar panels and efficient solar electrical systems to power various amenities.
The doodles may have started it all, but they were never just drawings. They were a new way of looking at vans—fun, considered, and endlessly curious. That mindset continues in every Vanlifer campervan conversion we create, from innovative storage solutions to custom cushions that maximize comfort in small spaces.
Need a self-contained campervan? We build certified, high-quality campervan conversions for private buyers and rental fleets across New Zealand, perfect for those looking to embrace the van life lifestyle or start their own DIY campervan conversion project.