A Master's Thesis by Harsha Pillai

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Thesis Focus

This thesis examines how distance, culture, and emotional nuance shape connection in Asian immigrant families. While these families are often seen as resilient, the quieter experiences of grief, guilt, and misunderstanding are rarely acknowledged.

This work is especially for the young adult Asian immigrant longing to reconnect with family who lives far away—navigating time zones, language gaps, and emotional distance with limited tools.

Grief and care are deeply entangled. By addressing the hidden losses caused by cultural dissonance and physical separation, this thesis aims to open new pathways for intimacy and mutual understanding. In a world where high-context cultural values meet the realities of migration and mobility, there is a growing need to translate care, affection, and belonging into forms that can survive—and even strengthen—across distances.

About Me

Harsha Pillai is an Indo-Swiss-German Product Designer and Design Strategist based in Brooklyn, New York. Formally trained as an architect, with a background in computer science, her work focuses on crafting genuinely humane experiences in an increasingly digital world.

Website | LinkedIn

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to my Research Community, and Many Participants
• Thank you to the SVA Faculty and Students

Important Links

Midterm Presentation (Single Scroll)

Midterm Presentation (Single Scroll)

Thesis Blog