Laphet Yay (Burmese Milk Tea) Project
2024 - 25, Fulfilling Burmese Migrants’ Emotional Needs for Home
To download the Memory Box and Memory Notes Design for free, please visit this link.
To access the audiovisual web experience, please visit this link.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
For my MFA thesis, I designed for the homesickness of Burmese migrants. Focusing on the cultural significance of Burmese Milk Tea, I wanted to design something that enables conversation, activity and memory.
In migration research, it’s widely stated that while coping with the pain of displacement, individuals often turn to 'linking objects'—tangible items that serve as anchors to their memories of home. I wanted to explore how I can use design to create meaningful tools for supporting emotional well-being.
I designed :
A ceramic tea cup set
A memory box with memory notes for reminiscing
An interactive story about Burmese tea culture
In an increasingly globalized world, where migration and displacement have become common, the emotional toll of homesickness is a pressing issue. Against the backdrop of Myanmar's ongoing crisis, the 2021 military coup has forced thousands to flee their homes, creating a diaspora marked by displacement and trauma. Building upon the insights gained from my research, the final design collection wants to offer users a tangible connection to the comfort and familiarity associated.
