Visual Storytelling Culture

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

What does it mean to tell a story visually and how can images capture the complexity of a culture in ways words cannot? What makes a visual narrative compelling, and how can form shape meaning? This course invites students to explore the power of visual storytelling through photography, video, and multimedia composition. Designed as a workshop format, Visual Storytelling and Culture emphasizes hands-on experimentation, creative process, and peer exchange. Students will be guided through the development of original visual narratives that reflect their personal voice and critical engagement with culture. The course blends theory and practice to build foundational skills in storytelling across visual media. Students will examine how images convey mood, space, and emotion. Special emphasis will be placed on representing place and heritage, drawing on Qatar’s rich traditional and contemporary cultural landscape. Local partnerships with institutions such as the Qatar National Library Archives, Doha Film Institute, Qatar Museums, and Tasweer Photography will support student exploration and field research. Throughout the semester, students will produce a series of visual exercises and narrative projects, culminating in a final piece to be publicly showcased. Along the way, they will develop their ability to tell both linear and nonlinear stories, engage with collaborative storytelling practices, and reflect critically on the relationship between text and image.