Introduction
[This article was published in September 2025 as a part of our Deaf Awareness Month observations]
Unlike many tools that adapt later, Convey started by asking: "What does the Deaf community need?" True inclusivity does not ask afterwards, instead it leads with the questions that will solve the core issue(s) and improve the lives of those impacted.
The goal was to provide a balance of text, visuals and hands-on-activities so that foundational learners could practice without feeling overwhelmed. Observation taught us that a great deal of the existing material felt unappealing and unrelatable to those seeking to learn without an active instructor. Since the goal was to ensure that persons could lean on this as a true self-guided resource, we looked at the ways in which it was best to present the information in a digestible way. That meant every step of the way, we thought about families, teachers and peers and how this could support their efforts and desires to communicate more effectively. With the desire to bridge worlds, the visuals needed to be clear, the examples had to be relatable and a great visual experience could not be compromised. Each sign was created from scratch, developed first as a hand sketch then was upgraded to a vectorised image. We went through several iterations of designs that would work best and sought consultations every step of the way. The word bridging almost functioned like a north star, leading and guiding the almost three year developmental process. You see the desire was not to create something FOR the community but to create something WITH them. To be guided accordingly every step along the way so that the intention would never be polluted by ego, a pretty production or profit.
When you design with accessibility in mind, the tools you choose and how you use them truly matter. Our Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) fingerspelling workbook, was never just about making something “pretty” or “educational.” From the get go it was about creating a bridge. One that was rooted in sustainability and community which created connections between Deaf and hearing communities, between families and classrooms, between intention and inclusion. Here is a glimpse at how we used the design thinking process to create what you have come to see and know as the brand.
Starting With the Right Question
Convey began with one central question: What does the Deaf community actually need? That question guided every design decision, from the way we sketched the first hand shapes to how we tested layouts for readability. Design, in this context, wasn’t decoration, it was problem solving.
Sketch to Screen: Designing Each Sign
Every sign illustration started as a pencil sketch. We studied hands in motion, tested proportions and then we asked: Will this be clear to someone learning without an instructor? After digitization we improved clarity, eliminated distractions and made clarity was on par for all readers as we iterated the images. The focus was more on usability than style. The goal was to build accessibility into the DNA even with the smallest details. Fonts were chosen for legibility, not trendiness. Colours were selected to reduce eye strain and maintain clarity. Layouts balanced text, visuals and white space so learners wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.
Accessibility wasn’t an afterthought as it was the foundation. We treated every element of design as a question of equity: Does this make the learning experience easier, kinder and more effective?
Designing With, Not For
Easily one of the most powerful design tools we used wasn’t digital at all but it was in fact collaboration. Deaf collaborators shaped, reshaped and challenged the work. Their cultural pride and commitment to accuracy kept us accountable. Their voices guided the process, ensuring Convey is a product of co-creation and not one of prescription.
The Creative Spirit of Community
There were plenty of behind-the-scenes moments such as sketching hands in mid-motion or testing page readability in classrooms. Each step was a reminder and a seal of approval that design thrives at the intersection of creativity and empathy. This project wasn’t just built with Illustrator, sketchbooks and layout grids. It transcended the technical tools and crossed into real life territory which means it was built with trust, humility and the willingness to listen and be corrected.
A Call Beyond Design
At its heart, Convey reflects a bigger truth which is that design is most powerful when it includes everyone. As we share more stories and highlights this September for Deaf Awareness Month, we invite you to join what we are hoping will become a movement. How can you do that? Learn a sign. Explore the toolkit. Rethink how design can be a tool for equity, not just aesthetics.
If you should only take one thing away from this article, we hope it is that when design is accessible, it doesn’t just create products but it creates belonging.