No need to wonder. They've stated in the past that their research includes study of existing ship designs both for aesthetic purposes, and for how to make the insides function correctly for players.
I had the great privilege of two lengthy discussions with Sarah M. at CitizenCon last year. She is a verifiable geek who reads Haynes manuals to see how things are put together, so that her ART is more true-to-life. She's moved on (tears, many tears!) but left her mark with the Starrunner concept, work on the Carrack, the Pisces and several other projects. She has a passion for the 'if you see it, it makes sense and you can use it' form of her craft.