What would happen if a Hollywood set designer focused on truck camper interior design? Introducing CamperCraft Studios. You’ve never seen camper interiors look like this!

Having worked with the industry for the better part of two decades, it’s fair to say that interior design is often not their principal concern. Industry leadership is more focused on structural integrity, storage, and overall function. When it comes to the interior aesthetic, improvements have been made, but it’s not a common strong suit. Hold that thought.

Hollywood Production Designer Jack Mercer has had an unusual path to truck camping. The Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strike in 2023 shuttered his work opportunities for nearly five months. Rather than sink his savings into LA rent, he moved into his father’s truck and camper. And it’s there that his professional sensibilities crossed paths with an entrepreneurial opening.

This is an exciting development for anyone who thinks truck camper interiors could use a serious makeover. With a Hollywood set designer at their side, industry leaders are poised to make your next truck camper an experience for the senses.

We sat down with Jack to learn more about CamperCraft Studios and how he plans to inject a little Hollywood magic into truck campers.

Above: Jack Mercer, Founder of CamperCraft Studios

Before we talk about CamperCraft Interiors, tell us about your background.

I grew up in Asheville, North Carolina—far from Hollywood. My father was a carpenter and mom was a painter, so I grew up with a hammer in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.

My love for creating spaces started in high school where I was on stage crew. While other kids were auditioning for roles, I was more interested in building the sets, painting backdrops, and figuring out how to make the high school gym look like a medieval castle.

A local theater director took notice and offered me a summer internship after high school. I had never considered it could be a career until I stumbled across an old documentary about Hollywood set designers. That was my “aha” moment—when I realized that every movie, TV show, and commercial had someone who designed the set from scratch. I wanted to be that guy.

I later applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design and majored in Production Design. All through college I worked on independent films and theater productions building props, painting sets, and even doing scenic dressing for local commercials. It didn’t pay much, but it gave me a killer portfolio.

After graduation, I packed up my Ford Ranger and drove cross-country to Los Angeles. I didn’t have anything lined up, but I had a few contacts from my professors and a relentless work ethic. My first job was painting a fake brick wall for a small-budget indie film. From there I became an assistant set designer, lead set designer, and, eventually, a production designer for feature films and other major projects.

Above: A CamperCraft Studios truck camper interior rendering

That’s an unbelievable story. When did you cross paths with truck camping?

My father retired in early 2020. The pandemic finally pushed him over the hill. Stuck at home, he found an old truck camper for sale on Facebook Marketplace and spent a few months fixing it up. Dad was a consummate carpenter so he did an incredible job with the structure and woodwork, but his sense of space, light, color, and texture leaves a lot to be desired. I’m sure he’ll be reading this so, sorry dad.

He and mom went on a cross-country adventure in the spring of 2021. They had an absolute blast and even visited me in LA. That was the first time I really ever saw a truck camper up close. My first thought was, “I could live in this thing.” My second thought was, “But not like it is now.” My set design instincts never really turn off.

Mom and dad went back to North Carolina and I went back to work. Two years later the Hollywood strike happened.

How did the strike impact you?

At the time, I was working on a Netflix period drama. A few weeks after the strike began, the production was canceled and there was no work in Los Angeles to be found. Rather than burn up my savings on rent, I flew home and moved into my father’s truck and camper. It was actually his idea. What wasn’t his idea was me driving the rig back to Los Angeles. I ended up staying on public lands near Lone Pine, California.

Mount Whitney! We love it there. A lot of movies and commercials have been filmed in that location. Is that when you came up with the idea for CamperCraft Studios?

Yeah. The more I looked at dad’s camper, the more obvious it became. Every inch of dad’s creation screamed function. And every inch also screamed cold and uncoordinated.

For example, dad mixed 5,000 Kelvin and 3,000 Kelvin LED lighting in the main living space. He had different wood tones abutting with grains going in different directions. Where he did have color, warm and cool were clashing. If dad’s interior design was a letter, it would have been a ransom note.

Since I had the time—and dad was too far away to object—I gutted and redesigned the interior, using everything I knew from set design—lighting, texture, spatial illusion—to turn my dad’s camper from a crime scene into a masterpiece. When friends saw what I had done, they suggested I start an RV interior design business. And just like that, CamperCraft Studios was born.

What exactly is CamperCraft Studios? What do you do?

CamperCraft Studios brings Hollywood-style interior design to RVs. That means using cinematic techniques to make spaces feel bigger, more inviting, and less like a mobile interrogation room.

I can consult with manufacturers looking to elevate their interiors, or individuals who want their camper to feel like the VIP lounge of an A-list afterparty. My designs focus on light, color, and texture—because a camper should be more than just a box on wheels. It should have an ambiance.

I realize that’s abstract, which is why I developed renderings to showcase what’s possible. Without changing the floor plan or appliances, you can literally transform a camper interior. The greater RV and truck camper industry seems to almost ignore this vital element of the user experience. I’m here to put that to an end.

Above: A CamperCraft Studios flatbed camper rendering inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise

Is it possible to infuse truck camper interior design with the aesthetic of specific movies? For example, I’m a huge fan of the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Pirates of the Caribbean films.

I’m so glad you asked that question. Yes, it’s absolutely possible. After our interview, I’ll send you some renderings based on your suggested movie franchises, and a few more. Maybe you could challenge your readers to guess which movie these themes are inspired by.

Above and below: CamperCraft Studio camper renderings based on blockbuster movies

Above and below: Can you guess which film each of these renderings is based on?

The renderings are definitely outside of the usual design aesthetic we see. Have any manufacturers shown interest in your services?

Not yet. But once they see the renderings in your magazine, I’m confident they’ll be calling. Until then, I’ll keep designing dramatic interiors for people who want their camper to look less like a 1997 office cubicle and more like a five-star boutique hotel on wheels.

Are you able to bring value beyond what we can see in these images?

Absolutely. One of my Hollywood specialties was soundproofing sets. Those skills can be applied to truck campers to make them into quiet and peaceful retreats.

I replaced all of dad’s cabinet doors with sound-absorbing panels. I also put sound-absorbing material into the ceiling and front nose wall. And I have an idea for how to use noise-cancelling technology—like Bose headphones—inside a camper.

Do you really think people need noise-cancelling in their truck campers?

Have you ever had a Class A motorhome pull in and park next to you? First, they run their diesel generator. Then they turn on their twelve roof-mounted air conditioners. Next they walk their white Bichon Frise that pees on your truck tires and relentlessly barks at the wind.

With soundproofing, you could be spared this mind-numbingly annoying experience. Your camper would remain a quiet and peaceful oasis, no matter where you’re camped, or what’s nearby. Another benefit is that any noise you make in your camper would not be audible outside your camper. There are certain situations in which this could be of advantage.

I can see content creators—like us—using that feature to make podcasts and voiceovers.

Yeah, sure.

Above: A western-themed CamperCraft Studios interior rendering

If a camper manufacturer or a truck camper owner is reading this article and wants to hire you, what’s the process?

All of the legitimate information about my company, background, and services are on my website. I’d be more than happy to talk to anyone in the truck camper industry who wants to punch up their camper interiors.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about CamperCraft or the services you provide?

The mood lighting alone is worth the price of admission. If any of your readers out there would like to spice things up in the cabover, I can help you turn up the heat.

For more information about CamperCraft Studios visit AprilFools2025.com.