Analyzing Business Model Canvas in Design Education and its Role in Design - Driven Startups

Abstract This study investigates the efficacy of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) in design education and its application to design-driven startups. The aim is to determine if the BMC adequately meets the demands of creative industries and entrepreneurial education in design contexts. The objective includes examining the BMC's strengths and weaknesses and investigating other frameworks such as the Innovation Canvas and Creative Business Model Canvas. The study is centered on reviewing papers on how design students use the BMC throughout their studies and its role in promoting the growth and success of design-driven startups in the creative sectors. An integrated literature review technique synthesized studies on the BMC's use in design education and design-driven startups. A comprehensive evaluation of 47 high-quality publications from journals, conferences, and books was conducted. The study identified emergent themes and critically analyzed data to answer the research questions. The BMC promotes creativity, teamwork, and strategic planning, making it an effective instructional tool. However, it has drawbacks such as an insufficient emphasis on competitive analysis, team dynamics, manufacturing processes, revenue streams, and cost structures, which do not fully support the design thinking principles that are essential from a designer’s point of view. Though there are alternative frameworks (e.g., the Innovation Canvas or the Creative Business Model Canvas), they fill certain gaps but they do not give a holistic solution to the design sector's numerous demands. Therefore, findings highlight the need for a more dynamic BMC customized to design-driven startups. Iterative testing, manufacturing strategies, and more substantial cost analysis would help to close current gaps, making it more beneficial for design education and creative enterprises.