Should our T25 Camper Van stay plain?
As I have mentioned before, both my partner and I are graphic designers and as such it’s very difficult to know when to stop designing. I know whenever we have a free minute to ourselves after a long day at work we immediately move on to our personal design projects. Or if there are no personal projects on the go we read design magazines (or VW Camper magazines) and books or explore the internet for graphic design blogs or portfolios gaining valuable inspiration for the next project. Essentially, we eat, sleep and breath design. But when is it the right time to say, ‘No, I am going to stop designing and do something else’?
We recently posed the question on our graphic design blog ’When should a graphic designer stop designing?’. We had some great comments from fellow graphic designer as follows:
James Burland said:
‘I’d say stop. There’s a purity about the van just as it is…
having said that you could always add something super minimalist.’
Amanda Vlahakis said:
‘Now that’s funny, you think when you were doing up your van that you ‘weren’t designing’
.
Are you sure?
It seems to me that when you repainted it, choose tyres, badges and such like, that you were already ‘designing it’
and had opted for the minimalist look.
Now like a typical designer you are questioning your ‘design concept’
See, you couldn’
t escape design, even for a minute.’
…and Ivan Payne commented:
‘Faced with a similar conundrum myself Steve. Our ‘
79 type 25 is in line for her graphics too.
‘Having been a signwriter for the past 18 years - and not a ‘designer’ (all humans are designers), the practicalities of a project like this would involve a material knowledge and a context. Softly,softly I would say - it’s cheaper to make a mistake, and there’s less bloody vinyl to remove!. She’s(?) an 89 aint she, so could go either way - contemporary or retro, though sod knows what enduring iconography could be associated with the late 80’s (floro, arggghh!). To be truly of its time then digital print is a bit too modern. It’
s your choice and cash!’
So as it stands the van is still plain as shown below:
But I would like to pose the same question to fellow die hard VW Camper Van and Bus owners to see what your point of view is? Looking through my collection of images from Volkswagen shows there are some great examples of vehicle artwork being added to great effect:
All of these look great but I do like the simple look! But is this too simple? Am I missing out on an opportunity to create something really eye catching and different?
So now to my dilemma, should I carry my love for design into the one non design related hobby I have and spend hours coming up with an awesome design for my VW camper van or is it time to stop designing?
What do you think? Should I leave it plain and simple? Or design some artwork to be plastered all over the van?
I would love to know your thoughts.
Posted by Steve
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Posted
on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Posted In T25, Vehicle Graphics | Tags: T25, Vehicle Graphics
10 Responses to “Should our T25 Camper Van stay plain?”
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We also in the same position with our 88 Autoleeper Hi-top.
It’s been in the bodyshop being renovated and should be ready sometime mid November .
After a great deal of thought we decided to keep the original pastel white … we like the simplicity … but .. time will tell !!!
Hi Steve (great name!),
Thanks for your comment. I too like the simplicity and it seems most people have said the same. Would love to see some photos of your van when it’s finished!
Steve
Well you have the skills to do something good…..I really want to make my van totally one off but don’t have the confidence to do what I’d really like to for fear of it being totally naff and crap
Thanks for the compliment!
I also am afraid of doing something that ends up looking rubbish. That’s probably the main thing stopping me at the moment. I am also worried about doing something that will date very quickly. Like anything, graphic design goes through trends and what is considered cool today could be totally crap next year!
Been taking pic’s all through the renovation .. hope to post them at a later date.
Thanks Steve - let me know when you get it back from the body shop. It would be great to feature the van here on the blog if you’re willing?
No problem with posting pic’s of the bodywork renovation Steve but the interior gonna have to wait !!!!!!!!!!
No worries Steve. I am in the same position at the moment. The outside is fine but I desperately need to re-upholster the interior. I am hoping to do it before next summer depending on funds.
Still, some pics of the outside would be great to feature n the blog so please let me know when it’s done.
Thanks again
Hi I’ve just come accross your site and found it fascinating my partner and I became the proud owners a t25 1982. She is currently undergoing some body work restoration and then a respray and we can’t wait to get her back.I like the plainess if thats the right word of yours and hope ours looks just as good.Next year we hope to refurbish the interior to how it would have been originally if we can find out what she should look like. Looks like we’re gonna have to keep working to pay for our new hobby!!!
Hi Jakki,
You will definitely need to have an endless supply of money to keep them going, but the joy of using them is worth it!
Glad you like my van and we have indeed decided to keep it classic and plain!
It wold be great to se some before and after photos of your van!
Steve