Eight common emotions when working on an industrial design bachelor’s thesis

Abstract

This research analyzes the emotions experienced by students during the development of their undergraduate thesis in design, from the conception of the idea to the defense of the final work. The study focuses on three stages of the process: initiation, intermediate development, and conclusion, identifying both positive and negative emotions that may affect academic performance. It is conducted at the Universidad del Papaloapan (UNPA) and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), using a methodology based on interviews and literature analysis. However, the review of academic sources revealed a lack of studies on the emotions students experience while working on their thesis, highlighting the relevance of this study. Findings indicate that factors such as academic pressure, the relationship with the advisor, and time management influence students’ emotions, impacting their motivation and performance. This research aims to fill a gap in the literature and provide tools to improve thesis advisors’ guidance, enabling more effective mentoring strategies. Ultimately, this knowledge is expected to help reduce thesis submission delays and increase the graduation rate at UNPA, which is currently low.