Monthly MOC Contest and Discussion

MorkMan

Is there enough interest to have the readers here do a monthly contest?
I'm always looking for new techniques that other builders have. I'd also love to have a focused project that I can do each month. Something that is more creative than building the sets I buy. Months can have one or more projects that are theme based (eg: animals/vehicles/alien/etc.), part-count based (eg: in 60 or less pieces...), or even centered around a part-specific theme (eg: using only 1x2 plates...).
The emphasis on this thread would be to do some learning and growing as a LEGO builder. Not to simply publicize or showcase your own MOC, but to discuss it and the trials and tribulations of your build. I envision this to be a discussion that centers around a particular build each month, and the specific building aspects of it. Discusions could range from "how the idea was born" to "the difficulties in finding that right piece" to the "euphoria/disappointment of the accomplishment/failure."
I'm more than willing to kick this off, so jump in and let me know if there is interest. October starts in a few short days, a new contest could, too!

princedraven

@MorkMan That sounds a fun and interesting idea, think if it was kept low level it could be very popular.

Redbullgivesuwind

Yeah if it didnt turn into a bitch fest I would be interested. Maybe not a contest though but a monthly challenge instead.

khmellymel

I think it sounds fun! My LEGO collection is rather limited at the moment, but if I had the ability it'd definitely be something I'd be interested in!

andhe

Not to shoot down the idea, but Brickset has always been about the collecting. They're are plenty of sites to post MOCs or join in competitions, learn techniques etc etc.

That said, if you DID want to do this, I'd suggest just starting a group on Flickr instead (or a similar image hosting site). I'm sure there would be no objection to publicising it through a thread on here.

princedraven

^ I would say Brickset has moved on a fair bit from the days of 'all about collecting', hell 3/4 of posts are now about how to make the most money.
So personally I would welcome a post about actually using the plastic bricks to ..... er, you know, build :)
Obviously Huw and company's decision though!

dougts

I would support this. To be clear, I'm in favor of the "Monthly build challenge" idea, done in the spirit of fostering discussion about building techniques and design, but without turning it into a contest where winners are selected in the end. I think this would be more fitting within the overall spirit of Brickset.

LegobrandonCP

I'm in! I'm a person that does not break down sets for part, so this contest would be great for me.

CupIsHalfEmpty

I really like the idea. I've been doing to much buying and not enough building. Having a Monthly build would help exponentially in getting me to put something together.

Whether it's hosted on or off the forum, that's fine by me.

Chooch

I would put in my vote for a "Monthly Build Challenge" - even though I'm in school for the next year, I might squeeze time in for a build here & there.

GothamConstructionCo

princedraven said:

^ I would say Brickset has moved on a fair bit from the days of 'all about collecting', hell 3/4 of posts are now about how to make the most money.
So personally I would welcome a post about actually using the plastic bricks to ..... er, you know, build :)
Obviously Huw and company's decision though!

Agree with @princedreven on this one. I think a monthly challenge based on a theme, set by an administrator, no prizes or voting JUST a few simple rules again set by Brickset.

MorkMan

Agreed. I want to be careful how this proceeds. The word "contest" should be changed to "challenge" for these. It's like a doing the crossword puzzle from the newspaper. It is a challenge that is there to be completed. No "winners" and "losers", just participants.

Lego_Moose

^ Sounds good

MorkMan

Excellent. I will make up a new thread for each Monthly Challenge. Sounds fun to have something to get my hands on my LEGO again.
I'm now going to scratch my head and figure out a good challenge. Ideas? PM me.

CupIsHalfEmpty

If the challenge is to be run Oct 1-31st, I suggest a halloween build. Maybe a Pumpkin/Jack-o-lantern... I don't think there would need to be any rules, people can build till their hearts content. As it would be neat to see all the different styles.

November could be Thanksgiving, and December could be outside Winter scene.

I'm also up for challenges that are more engineering than scene based. Like build a bridge that spans across 10cm out of 300 2x1 tiles that holds the most weight.

MorkMan

I like that engineering idea. That could be good for January (no real holidays, except my birthday)!
We're working on a few ideas for the inaugural Challenge. It will probably be Halloween based. Stay tuned. Keep sending in ideas!

CCC

The problem with holidays is that you start making it nation specific in some cases. Thanksgiving doesn't mean much outside of North America.

plasmodium

^Haha...It's all about turkeys and pumpkins, I think...
On a more serious note, if you switch Thanksgiving for a harvest-type celebration it roughly equates and is a little more universal.

CCC

plasmodium said:

^Haha...It's all about turkeys and pumpkins, I think...
On a more serious note, if you switch Thanksgiving for a harvest-type celebration it roughly equates and is a little more universal.

But when do you have it? Thanksgiving in US is November, but in the UK our harvest festival is normally September, at Harvest Moon.

khmellymel

Chinese Harvest Festival starts today for me, wheee, one week off of uni!

Lego_Moose

Like the engineering contest idea

plasmodium

@CCC: Good point. And the Canadians have it somewhere inbetween!

MorkMan

Ok. Looks like we are set. I will be posting the challenge tonight.

brickmatic

I like this idea! I think a diversity of the types of challenges put forward would be good. One type of challenge that hasn't been mentioned is perhaps seeing what kind of alternate models can be created from a particular set. It's a variation on constraining what pieces can be used. By highlighting individual sets, this might appeal more to collectors as well.

MorkMan

I've thought of that. The hard part of it is to figure out a set that most people have. Good idea!

Joseph

^ This might help: http://www.brickset.com/search/advanced/run/?q=33

MorkMan

#3177 Small Car is the one I thought of first - and it's #5 on the list. Hmmm....

Thezoofox

I don't have that :-(

Lego_Moose

I have five :)

MorkMan

The challenge for this month has been posted!
Check out the challenge!
Thanks to many many Bricksetters, who offered me their feedback and opinions. I hope this Challenge is fun for everyone!