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Be Bold, Be Birmingham creative insight

Keith Mckenzie • August 21, 2022

This blog provides personal insight on developing the design for the Be Bold Be Birmingham Creative competition.

This was a very challenging project with developing a concept very quickly and within a short amount of days. This was because I was only aware of the competition a few days before the entry deadline.


Background

However, I wanted to present something different from the standard techniques and styles used for bold marketing and promotion.

This led to creating visual concepts to be the focal point which will draw the audience.


Preparation

I need to explore what aspects are needed for the projects and the message behind the design. So I brainstorm visual elements around the city identity, visual elements and showcase effects.

The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape.

Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area.

Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area.

Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message.

In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council

The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape.

The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project.

The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape.

Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area.

Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area.

Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message.

In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council

The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape.

The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project.




Visit the special Beyond Commonwealth feature on this website related to my involvement in the showcasing the launch city of the commonwealth games

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To see this creative project in detail visit the link below

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Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

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