Serendipity in the Field. Facilitating serendipity in design-driven field studies on ship bridges

Abstract

Field research requires openness to unforeseen insights and opportunities, especially when designing for complex and dynamic workplaces, such as a ship bridge. In this paper, we investigate how serendipitous outcomes may be facilitated in design-driven field research. We present a case study of two field research trips onboard Arctic-going vessels, during which we investigated the premises of designing augmented reality (AR) systems for navigators. We describe how an explorative and opportunistic mixed-methods approach facilitated serendipity and analyse which specific aspects led to serendipitous outcomes in three examples. Last, we discuss how practical support for designers and design researchers conducting design-driven field research can be developed and suggest how strategies to employ approaches that facilitate serendipity can increase the likelihood and awareness of serendipitous outcomes.