Nomad
A living and organizational design for those pursuing the freedom and flexibility sustained travel without sacrificing the comfort of a home’s resources
The “Dirtbag”
An avid climber and outdoorsman, Andreas pursued his hobbies and skillset through cross-country travel. Over the source of 2 years he visited the various rock climbing hotspots the country had to offer from the hot canyons of Red Rocks, Nevada, to the cold mountains of western Colorado.
The Problem
The possibility of embracing a lifestyle of sustained travel is reserved only for those who either can afford to purchase a particularly large vehicle such as a van, or must be tethered to various hostels and campgrounds. This is often accompanied with difficulties of disorganization and discomfort in one’s travels.
Design Solution
It is with the mobile and minimalist home that one can make a sustained travel lifestyle possible. One is free from both the roots of a home and any time restraints that arise from the need for resources a home base provides without sacrificing their own comfort, health, and dignity
Spatial Design
When living out of one’s own vehicle, adopting a minimalist lifestyle is important. This structure allows one to allocate resources effectively in balancing the comfort of home with the versatility of travel. Incorporating this living unit allows for the organization of one’s belongings and provides a gateway to sustainable and mobile living
Versatility
Each drawer compartment is fitted with 2 retractable tables and one bench. Using the outside space behind the car provides comfort in cooking and dining that would be impossible housed inside. Each table is located above the pantry and kitchen equipment cabinet for easy access.
Privacy
Retractable screens line the inner walls of the vehicle. These serve to provide privacy and light control for sleeping by pulling them along the inside walls of the car. Additionally, the screens provide protective walls for the table and sitting space behind the car. Each screen has a clip doubling as points to pull and attach to stationed rings throughout the vehicle.
UX Integration
A digital tool made to both equip and prep your vehicular living space with the resources and tools you need, as well as to plan and strategize your cross country trip and how to best use your time in the unique environments you encounter
Do It Yourself
A vast majority of Van Lifers have done the work themselves to convert a vehicle to being a living space whether it is a full sprinter van with a bathroom and kitchen, or an SUV fitting a bed and some storage compartments. This majority touches on the economic incentives of van life for young people.
How did your vehicle become livable?
Social
Many van lifers either live alone and/or orient their travels around friends and relatives that live along their cross-country path. Having social resources is very important to travelers both for their own emotional wellbeing as well as sharing in the benefits that come with staying at a traditional home such as space, hygiene, etc.
Hygiene
A common challenge one has to deal with on the road is maintaining personal hygiene. Only a third of van lifers have some sort of restroom in their vehicles while others rely on anything from public facilities to nature to relieve and clean themselves.
Where do you go to the bathroom?
How do you clean yourself?
Determine Scope
A road trip can be many things for different individuals and the resources you bring vary heavily on the scope of the travel. Throw a pre-planning flow users can be aided on allocating space, time, and resources based on the trip as a whole
Time & Resources
The checkpoints one has and the time needed at each is crucial for a well paced trip. Visualizing both an adaptable schedule as well as the type of resources needed for respective activities is a critical feature within this digital tool.
Branding
It was important to provide a brand identity for a market that predominately is filled with the untitled and non-credible DIY projects of the travelers themselves
It was important to provide a brand identity for a market that predominately is filled with the untitled and non-credible DIY projects of the travelers themselves
Digital & Material
Branding material for creating awareness and establishing presence using photography documenting the lifestyle of contemporary nomadic travelers I have done research with