In China and the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading since December 2019. This pandemic had negative effects on the public in general and on students' performance. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived performance of design students participating in online distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the UAE. The evaluation of the students' negative emotions and their impact on creativity and design performance was conducted in two design courses. The case study included 193 design students, 140 first year and 53 fourth year students who are enrolled from the College of Fine Arts and Design. An online survey was used as a post-evaluation tool for the students. Two focus group interviews were conducted for instructors who were involved in the sudden remote teaching. The findings showed the instructors' deep understanding of the students' emotions and how such emotions are reflected on performance during the pandemic. First year students had higher anxiety levels than fourth students, which negatively affected their design practice and learning performance for the lack of design experience. However, first years produced creative projects. Fourth years also had high anxiety levels, but they showed a higher level of satisfaction in their performance than first years. This study explored the impact, changes and challenges brought about by the pandemic experience and how instructors could benefit from it in future. Online classes changed the way design was taught and delivered. Blended learning is considered as a motivational and creative learning process.