From idea to creation: exploring designers’ real-time cognitive and emotional experiences throughout the design process

ABSTRACT: This study examines designers’ cognitive and emotional experiences during the design thinking process and the effect of time constraints. Using the MetaCogno tool, 83 participants reported moment-to-moment experiences across Problem Analysis, Ideation, Evaluation, and Sketching. Positive experiences dominated, with time-limited designers showing higher enjoyment, focus, and engagement. Findings highlight the dynamic interplay of cognition and emotion, and suggest that time pressure can enhance focus and motivation during design.

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Publication Details

Journal
Proceedings of the Design Society
Published
2026-07-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2026.10452
Primary Topic
Design Education and Practice
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

From idea to creation: exploring designers’ real-time cognitive and emotional experiences throughout the design process

Gaetano Cascini, Samira Ashari, Babak Amraee, Saba Moosavinezhad et al.
Proceedings of the Design Society
Design Education and Practice
article

From idea to creation: exploring designers’ real-time cognitive and emotional experiences throughout the design process

Gaetano Cascini, Samira Ashari, Babak Amraee, Saba Moosavinezhad, Stefan Schmidt, Alireza Habibi
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examines designers’ cognitive and emotional experiences during the design thinking process and the effect of time constraints. Using the MetaCogno tool, 83 participants reported moment-to-moment experiences across Problem Analysis, Ideation, Evaluation, and Sketching. Positive experiences dominated, with time-limited designers showing higher enjoyment, focus, and engagement. Findings highlight the dynamic interplay of cognition and emotion, and suggest that time pressure can enhance focus and motivation during design.

Proceedings of the Design SocietyVol. 6
Tarbiat Modares University (IR), University of Freiburg (DE), University of Tehran (IR), Tabriz Islamic Arts University (IR), Politecnico di Milano (IT)
National Science Foundation, Iran National Science Foundation
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Design Education and Practice
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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From idea to creation: exploring designers’ real-time cognitive and emotional experiences throughout the design process — Gaetano Cascini, Samira Ashari, et al. · Proceedings of the Design Society (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS