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.

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Visual Vernacular (VV) Taster Workshop

Discover the Art of Visual Storytelling!
Have you ever wondered how stories can be told through movement, facial expressions, body language and visual imagination, without relying on spoken words?
     Our VV Taster Workshop offers an introduction to the creative world of Visual Vernacular, a distinctive performance art form rotted in Deaf artistic traditions. Through guided activities and playful visual exercises, participants will explore how their bodies, movements and facial expressions can communicate characters, actions, emotions and events.

What Will You Explore?

• Visual Expression: Explore how facial expressions, gestures, and body movements communicate meaning.

• Characterisation and Role-Shifting: Experiment with portraying different characters and perspectives.

• Cinematic Techniques: Discover how visual storytelling can use zoom, slow motion and changes in viewpoint.

• Creative Visual Storytelling: Participate in introductory activities that bring simple situations and stories to life.

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The taster workshop is designed to provide an initial experience of VV, rather than comprehensive training.

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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: Weekend 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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Minimum number of students for commencement: 6
Both Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, and hearing participants are welcome to apply.