What can software startuppers learn from the artistic design flow? Experiences, reflections and future avenues

Abstract

[Context and motivation] Startups are one of the most important economic drivers in today’s economy. The high failure rates have not discouraged communities, cities or universities from investing in startup ecosystems. We know that the great majority of startups today are software based. [Problem] It is equally well acknowledged that the early stage concept design and validation plays a key role in getting the first customers and ultimately attracting funding for the survival and possible success of a startup. Very little research, however, exists to support starttuppers in developing their early-stage ideas into concepts efficiently. [Results and contribution] This paper aims contributing to this gap by studying the artistic design flow and the tools utilized by architects, industrial designers and artists, and as a result proposes concrete ways to improve the current state-of-practice. However, it is argued that borrowing techniques, approaches and ideas will not be sufficient, and a change in software education culture is required.