AHO WORKS STUDIES 2012-2013
Diploma Projects
Master of Industrial Design
WELL-BEING OF SEAFARERS ABOARD: HOW DESIGN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO COMPLEX SITUATIONS
NIUSHA MOUSAVIZADEH
Supervisor: Steinar Killi and Sigbjørn Windingstad
Seafarers live and work under extraordinary conditions for extended periods of time. Being away form family,
isolation, long hours of work in a constantly moving environment are some of the challenges seafarers are dealing
with, which affect their well-being and performance.
In this project mariners’ well-being aboard offshore supply vessels is studied in order to identify potential
areas where design can make enhancements. Since the contributing factors to habitability and well-being are
interdisciplinary and closely inter-related, a systematic approach is applied to achieve an overarching view of
the situation. Also different methods from user studies are used to gain deep insight into the users’ situation.
The findings are then translated into several suggestive solutions, from which one has been developed into a
concept as an example of how the situation can be improved.
The selected solution is a refreshment and social spot twhat provides the opportunity for quick breaks
throughout the mariners’ tedious routines by offering “social activity generators”, in this case food and an
interactive social platform. It is a modular system with a vast variety of arrangements that would fit any space
and environment. This solution provides seafarers with a platform where they can build new social networks
at different levels according to their desire, and have more frequent breaks while socializing in their network.
