I wanted to reflect how society restricts genders to their assigned fashion. Society will try to ‘correct’ anyone who breaks the norm.  I used mannequins to portray this idea in my illustrated book.

The main goal of my book is to give off a lusty, sensuous vibe and I did this through my colour palette. I used a seductive, vivid pink, paired with dim blues. I also played with lights and shadows to create a sensuous and mysterious aura.

I decided to name my book yearning because while it could be interpreted as a sexual word, the story gives it context; the mannequins are yearning to dress as who they are.

The book will begin at a storefront in the morning where two mannequins can be seen. And the next frame will show them gazing at each other in longing.  The day progresses, which is shown by the sunlight.

When night comes, they smile at each other and begin inching closer to each other and spin into each other’s arms. While it starts off innocent, the mood suddenly shifts to sexual when they begin taking off each others clothes. At the climax where the mannequins shed their clothes, the twist is revealed; they just wanted to exchange clothes. Their happiness can be seen after they exchange clothes. However, an unidentified hand switches on the lights and the mannequins disappear. The next morning, the mannequins’ clothes are switched back and the last scene is them looking at each other with sadness. The last two scenes are the same as the first two, showing that the reader’s original take was wrong. Instead of longing for each other, they were longing for what the other was wearing.