The productivity and creativity of design educators in educational settings are profoundly influenced by the spatial environment they work in. Elements such as layout, design, and ambiance directly affect their ability to focus, generate ideas, and collaborate effectively. Factors like natural light, spatial layout, and overall atmosphere deeply impact educators’ cognitive processes and emotional states, thereby influencing their performance and output. A conducive spatial environment not only inspires and motivates educators but also enhances their capacity to innovate and deliver high-quality educational experiences. This study explores the experiences and preferences of design educators in Indian institutions, focusing on their daily workspace. By examining creative space typologies and their alignment with educator perspectives, the research aims to uncover patterns between space design and emotional responses. Space gallery analysis revealed challenges like space constraints and the importance of natural light. Identifying creative space typologies provided insights into designing effective educational spaces, highlighting the impact on users’ emotional psyche. Through interviews, data was collected to define spaces for case studies, enabling a comparative analysis to suggest improvements in productivity. The study aims to explore implementation strategies for recommended changes within design education institutions, assessing their impact on emotional responses and student outcomes. Critical workspace preferences emphasise the need for adaptable and inspirational environments that foster creativity and collaboration. By contributing to the discourse on optimising educational spaces, this research aims to enhance design education practices in India and beyond. Ultimately, it seeks to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration among educators and students by creating environments conducive to their emotional and cognitive needs.