As a feature Commonwealth-related community participant, I write a personal tribute to the queen's life and commitment.
I've never met the queen personally so I do not have any personal experiences. But, going back in time when I was a child, I only experienced seeing the queen face to face during a street procession visit to Worcestershire and seeing the queen bring some sparkle and uplifting vibes that some people might remark as magical. I'm sure this has been an effect on many people who meet the Queen face to face, virtually when they have received an award from the queen. THE WORLD PICTURE Her long life and her commitment to providing the nation and commonwealth for 70 years is remarkable with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. No one in living memory is likely to experience this level of achievement and commitment ever again. MY CONTRIBUTION During the Platinum jubilee year, I was honoured to be a featured community participant for Birmingham to showcase the legacy of my city (where I was born) beyond the host city of the commonwealth games. Click here to find out more However, when the announcement was made related to the sad loss of Queen Elizabeth II, I realised that I have a greater responsibility to represent the city through good and bad times and do more to improve the positive legacy to my city, the region of the Midlands, the UK and the Commonwealth. This goes beyond my role as an awareness campaigner, creative designer and salsa dancing participant. CONCLUSIONS Just like many people around the world, I am very sad the hear about the loss of the Queen. My sympathy is with the Royal family and anyone who has met Her Majesty throughout her life. So I end my blog to thank you to the queen for her life long commitment to our nation, the commonwealth and the wider world. I wish H.M King Charles III the best of luck and hope his majesty will continue the legacy of her Mum, H.M Queen Elizabeth II This blog provides personal insight on developing the design for the B 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 Commonwealth Legacy feature on this website related to my involvement in the showcasing the launch city of the commonwealth games
To see this creative project in detail visit the link below I was asked to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen a positive legacy for Birmingham. Despite I have been featured on videos in the past, it is usually related to being featured or involved in projects by other people or organisations. This is the first time being featured in a film totally about me. Background This is for a digital campaign on social media. Titled "Be Your Personal Best' and featuring selected individuals who are making a positive difference in the community. My involvement is linked with the "Be Bold, Be Birmingham the marketing initiative by Birmingham City Council to showcase the host city for the commonwealth games. Preparation This involves me being interviewed on video with many questions to answer. This took many weeks to prepare. What many people don't realise with preparing is to summarise and gathering lots of involvement and experiences in a simplified form is very intense and time-consuming. Even though I provided initial answers the production team replied with many simplified expressions. Converting into initial scripts any points I have expressed were taken out. This means it is not possible to include all the key areas I wanted to express. A narrative has to be effective with a limited time duration. After receiving the initial scripts I then revised them a few times before finalising filming. The confirmed scripts were then converted into a large display reference. The next preparation of selected examples of my projects then converting each image example to high-quality output. This takes selecting examples and shortlisting images which would be effective. Also, two original showcases of creative projects were seveloped in time for the video interview. During the preparation, I have been in regular contact with the production team. Due to my salsa involve they would like to feature my dancing salsa. So I discussed this with my friend Pauline who I assist regularly in dance classes the idea. This leads to a suggestion to use the venues used to dance classes. The filming This filming was located at Broadway Dance Centre, a dance Studio who have a major heritage and legacy for dance teaching for many generations. It started with being filmed dancing salsa which included line demonstration and partner dance moves. As well as Pauline my friends Justin & Suzi join us with salsa and Bachata dancing. The second part of the filming was an image profile of me standing looking at the filming camera with certain scenes with the camera zooming towards me. The filming concludes with an interview, it was a very intense experience, especially with the large lighting close to me. However, the large script display I have to develop helped able to communicate my interview answers effectively. Also due to references I created, the amount of refilming or retaking the interview was reduced. Because this also leads to the reductions of any filming breaks. The filming team was supportive and held my script display while filming. Overall the experience was a combination of energy, intensity and a lot of adjustments to make sure the filming satisfying to the production team. The production team was very impressed with the strong expression and the over messages, especially with the legacy direction which my city needs to consider. So my verdict is on my fixtures and being filmed, this is extremely new for me being profiled in this way. When I told my friends and family about being featured all of them mentioned I was far too overdue. For most of my life, I have been low-key and focused on developing project content and don't put myself in the limelight because of a very competitive and perceptive society. However, there are occasions like this where I have to step up to the plate and deliver on the work I have done and my insight. I know recognition doesn't come to me by accident, I have to work for it and this applies to everyone else. Don't expect anything positive to come to you quickly. It is about commitment & dedication in a respectful way and without toxic attitudes or resentment. Special thanks to Birmingham city council and the marketing agency liquid to get involved with this unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also special thanks to my friend Pauline, Justin and Suzi who have shown my support and appeared with me in the campaign video. Also thanks to the team of Liquid for their high level of proffesionalism and for Alison Roberts from Birmingham City Council for inviting me to get involved. The video featuring me will soon appear online and on the offical Birmingham City Council social media channels. Futher updates will appear here View the video camapign online featuring me via the official Birmingham City Council social media channels Select the link below View the video via Birmingham City Council's YouTube channel (Opens in a new window) The video was produced by Liquid in conjunction with Birmingham City Council As the video is the property of Birmingham City Council, I am not responsible for the content on the link provided Visit the special "Commonwealth Legacy" Feature on this website and an additional special project related to the host city of the Commonwealth Games. Note to editors:
Keith Mckenzie With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music-related film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating at two major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC |
Highlighting images related to leisure, events, places of interest and entertainment. In also projects linked with the featured examples.
About meI have an career background related to art & design, a participant on a music project King of the Beats and developed of series of awareness projects for local communities Archives
April 2024
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