Involving users in a ship bridge re-design process using scenarios and mock-up models

• Options to involve representative users in a participative ship design process are explored.
• The ability of three types of 3D models to act as mediating objects is evaluated.
• Mockup models and use scenario accounts elicited useful input to the design process.
• The procedure supports the benefits of employee participation.
• Learning opportunities are provided for the entire design team.

The context for this study is the maritime domain and the design of shipboard workspaces. Due to the globalized nature of shipping, the traditional approach to a participative ergonomics process can be a logistical challenge since stakeholders like designers, manufacturers and operators are often scattered both geographically and organizationally. The participative design study presented in this paper addresses this challenge by exploring the ability of three types of simple three-dimensional (3D) models to act as mediating objects for representative users in order to elicit design feedback in a use scenario-workshop format. The study found that all three types of 3D models, when coupled with a scenario description, elicited several types of useful design feedback that served not only as direct input to changing proposed design parameters, but also as an unprompted long-term learning opportunity for the design team to gain insight into the lives and challenges of their users, who both work and live on board.Relevance to industryThe paper presents a procedure for a participatory design process in the maritime domain where the involved stakeholders are geographically and organizationally dispersed. Mock-up models coupled with use scenario descriptions elicited useful design feedback and an unprompted long-term learning opportunity for the design team.