Visual Expression Workshop Series

Synopsis

The Visual Expression Workshop Series is designed for learners who wish to enhance their visual communication, and expressive signing skills beyond everyday conversation.

The workshop series introduces participants to two important aspects of visual communication and storytelling: Classifiers and Visual Vernacular (VV). Through guided activities, storytelling exercises, role-shifting, and creative expression, participants will learn how to use visual techniques to describe and communicate people, objects, environments, movement, and events with greater clarity, detail, and impact.

What are Classifiers?
Classifiers are handshapes used in Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) to visually represent people, objects, animals, vehicles, locations, and actions. Rather than describing something only with vocabulary sign-words, classifiers allow signers to depict how things look, move, interact, and relate to one another in space. Classifiers are an important linguistic feature of SgSL, and contribute to richer, more descriptive, and more visually engaging communication. They enable signers to paint vivid mental images, and convey information in a concise yet expressive manner.

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What is Visual Vernacular?
Visual Vernacular (VV) is a distinctive Deaf storytelling and performance art form that combines sign language, creative classifiers, role-shifting, mime, facial expressions, body language, and cinematic techniques. Rather than relying primarily on sentence structures, Visual Vernacular creates stories through visual imagery and dynamic expression. Signers may shift perspectives, zoom. in and out of scenes, portray multiple characters, and create visual narratives that resemble the techniques used in film and theatre. VV allows signers to communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences in a highly visual and engaging way, making it a powerful medium for storytelling and artistic expression.
 

Learning Outcome
Participants will explore how classifiers contribute to rich and detailed communication, while VV techniques introduce creative and cinematic approaches to storytelling. Together, classifiers and VV help signers develop stronger visual communication skills, greater creativity, and increased confidence in visual expression.
 

There is no graded exam in this level. Certificates are not provided.

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Format

Each workshop session will be conducted in person and will run for approximately 2 to 3 hours, including short breaks.
 

Duration

+ Classifiers Workshop Series: 8 hours in total (over 3-4 sessions)

+ VV Workshop Series: 16-18 hours in total (over 6-8 sessions)

Option A: Tuesday evening (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)

Option B: Saturday afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Note that workshops are conducted on an ad-hoc basis and are subject to participant demand, and facilitator availability. Participants may indicate their preferred schedule during registration and will be notified once a workshop has been confirmed.​

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Pre-requisite: Had completed our Deaf Introductory Workshop.
Minimum number of students for commencement: 6
Both Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, and hearing participants are welcome to apply.