Design addresses complex, real-world ‘wicked’ problems and hence, its education requires a holistic approach that equips future designers to excel in this occupation and positively impact the society we live in. Design education in India, in line with the changing global trends, envisions an integral ‘yoga’ to develop creative competencies by blending different pedagogical approaches and leveraging various learning paradigms. However, student surveys reveal that while their goals may largely be to pursue employment in industry, they are not driven by tangible rewards, but aspire to ‘create something new, beautiful, meaningful’. A scrutiny of the existing design curriculum and analysis of student performance in design projects further brings to light the profound impact of motivation, emotion, and reward, i.e., creative drive on overall academic performance and achievement. This explorative enquiry culminates at cross-roads for educators to reflect upon their role as facilitators, mentors and guides.