Colouring book with custom illustrations for the Consent Comes First Office at Toronto Metropolitan University
All 10 original illustrations were sketched by hand using ink and paper, then scanned and digitally refined in Adobe Illustrator, before AI-generated art was a mainstream tool. The result is a warm, tactile aesthetic that preserves the humanity of hand drawing while allowing for clean, print-ready production.
The artwork intentionally centers queer and gender-diverse characters, avoiding clichés and celebrating fluidity in form. Symbolic motifs, like the seahorse, which references the role of male seahorses in giving birth, pay homage to trans and nonbinary identities, offering subtle but powerful moments of representation.
Each page integrates affirmations, journaling prompts and grounding exercises, all arranged with ample white space and accessible typography. Designed for both digital and print distribution, the book supports a nonlinear, choose-your-own-adventure approach to healing.
Although this project is several years old, it is still one of my favourite works to date. In developing a book for users to find ease and therapeutic principles, I too, found myself at ease illustrating and designing and working through the prompts.
Copyright © Carita Marsili
