Tink & Sash

Created a conceptual novelette exploring the tension between logic and emotion — using metaphor, visual storytelling, and minimalism to illustrate the duality of human thought in an accessible and introspective format.

An Illustrated Novelette of the Inseparables

Tink & Sash is an illustrated novelette that explores the delicate, complex relationship between our two inner selves — the emotional and the rational mind. Blending visual storytelling with philosophical reflection, the project invites readers into an educational yet introspective journey, encouraging deeper self-awareness and emotional understanding.

The Story

We all navigate life with two minds: one that feels, and one that thinks. Most of the time, they work in harmony — weaving emotion and logic together to help us make sense of the world. But there are also moments when these two selves wrestle, contradict, or even comfort one another.

Tink & Sash tells the story of those moments — a symbolic portrayal of the human inner dialogue, and the quiet tension between reason and feeling. Through illustrated narrative, the book opens space for reflection, asking readers to observe their own internal conversations with more curiosity and compassion.

Character Design – Giving Form to the Inner Voice

Tink and Sash are not just characters — they are representations of the human psyche. Tink, the emotional mind, is intuitive, spontaneous, and expressive. Sash, the rational mind, is composed, structured, and deliberate. Their contrasting forms and gestures reflect their inner dynamics, yet they are always tethered — inseparable parts of one whole.

The challenge was to design characters that felt symbolic yet relatable, abstract enough to represent concepts, yet emotionally grounded to resonate with readers. Their body language, interactions, and even their spatial relationship on the page were carefully crafted to reflect the subtle push and pull between emotion and logic.

Art Direction – Soft Worlds for Sharp Questions

Visually, Tink & Sash balances whimsy and introspection. The color palette leans soft and muted, allowing the emotions of the narrative to surface without distraction. Minimalist backgrounds create space for the reader’s imagination while ensuring that attention stays on the characters and their evolving relationship.

Textures and linework were deliberately kept light and fluid — echoing the way thoughts and feelings shift, collide, and reshape over time. The art direction supports not just storytelling, but self-reflection: the quieter the visuals, the louder the internal voice.

Creative Process – From Concept to Connection

The story began as a simple sketch of duality: two characters in conversation, one impulsive, one composed. As the idea evolved, the narrative unfolded around their shared experiences — curiosity, conflict, comfort — mirroring the way we internally negotiate decisions and emotions.

The process involved close collaboration between writing, illustration, and pacing. Every scene was storyboarded with attention to rhythm — when to pause, when to let silence speak, and when to use visuals to carry the weight of the message.

From concept to execution, the goal was to create more than a story — it was to create a mirror. One that encourages readers to listen inward and see themselves through both Tink and Sash.