Your input wanted for interviews with LEGO designers and others

Huw · May 2016

I've been invited to a fan site press event in Billund at the start of June. I'll have the opportunity to interview members of the following teams:

LEGO Technic
LEGO BIONICLE
LEGO Life (LEGO Club)
LEGO Rebrick
LEGO Ideas
LEGO Worlds (steam platform, computer games, build your own world)

So, if you have any questions you'd like me to ask, please let me know in the comments below.

richo · May 2016

Not sure if could come under Ideas. But I really would like to ask if they could / or why they don't, do all the different inspirational designs on boxes like they used to, or certainly not as much. Am talking about the whacky alternative builds they used to show inside and out on boxes and instructions which all sets seemed to carry in the 80s. Hope this makes sense Huw!

Legopassion8 · May 2016

Will the marketing department be represented on this panel????

SirKevbags · May 2016

Are Ideas Submissions based on currently held IP's doomed to failure? If so why are they allowed to be submitted in the first place?

Legopassion8 · May 2016

^yea...cause that rolling bb7 is a freaking goldmine. You don't have to be a genius to see that!

richo · May 2016

Legopassion8 said:

^yea...cause that rolling bb7 is a freaking goldmine. You don't have to be a genius to see that!

Yeah there is now way that's going to be approved when it's an ongoing licence. That would be just somebody hugely cashing in on the obvious. Not a chance.

rd1899 · May 2016

Lego Ideas

I'd suggest following up on their “Creative Ideas Wanted” campaign from earlier this year (obligatory Brickset article link), and asking for more details about how they perceive the issue of "original" Ideas projects versus IP-based projects, and what future steps* they are planning or thinking about implementing to promote more original projects.

*And, to press further on that open-ended question, some specific steps to ask about could be:

Modifying the submission rules and/or voting rules
Making the Ideas website more friendly to original projects
Adding specific project categories, e.g. (a) IP-based, (b) Original/Creator, (c) Technic, (d) Kid-Aimed
Creating an AFOL jury that can nominate one project a review period
Increasing the royalty rate for original IP projects, thus creating a real economic incentive
Allowing smaller run projects by (a) requiring a certain number of pre-orders after initial approval and/or (b) having some projects only available online from Lego's online shop.
Launching an "Ideas" Idea Book series to promote and honor good original projects that may not otherwise be economically viable as an actual product

fourstud · May 2016

Ideas:

Is there a reason why an announcement and release takes so long even though final images are put in retailer catalogs months in advance?

Will there be a solution to the abundance of not-so-good projects on the site?

glosminifigfan · May 2016

Technic -

Do Technic designers get recruited specifically to work on the Technic theme, and do designers ever move from Technic to System themes and vice versa?

It would be interesting to hear about some of the cool models that the Technic designers have built privately, not for commercial sale.

Why did the 'Technic Figures' disappear, and is there a chance they could return?

Why isn't Version 2 of the PF IR Reciever available to buy individually?

How/who makes a decision to make a major and presumably expensive new Power Functions element, and how long does it take to develop such an element?

Huw · May 2016

Thanks, keep 'em coming...

TheBrickVideo · May 2016

That's cool, look at that, Huw is going to Billund !

Jackad7 · May 2016

I'm fairly disappointed the star wars team won't be there. I would love to have you blast them over their recent hoth set. Yet again I'm sure they've taken so much heat for it it's the reason they're not there.

xwingpilot · May 2016

^ It would certainly be interesting to hear TLG's thoughts on the UCS line, although 'blasting' them could be seen as a little impolite (and unconstructive).

SprinkleOtter · May 2016

Can you ask the Bionicle team why we haven't seen anything close the the Titans/Warriors sets from the original Bionicle, or even from Hero Factory? We know they can be made with CCBS, but they have not been recently.

Can you also ask the Bionicle team what media they are going to use to expand the Bionicle story this year?

And I'm struggling to think of a question on the Bucket Wheel Loader, because I want to hear the designers talk about it...

MattDawson · May 2016

Will we be seeing any Technic buildings or functioning items e.g. clock?

Lyichir · May 2016

I'd actually be curious how much overlap there is between the Bionicle and Technic design teams. The two share a system, for the most part, and I'm pretty sure I remember reading that Bionicle part designs are indeed engineered by some of the same designers who develop other Technic parts, but obviously there are many differences between the two themes as well—Bionicle sets are designed for simpler builds and functions while Technic sets are designed for realism and accurate functionality.

While you're at it, you might as well ask if there's a chance for more Technic-based Bionicle vehicles in the future. They probably wouldn't be able to answer that, but it's worth a shot.

TheBrickVideo · May 2016

Huw is it possible ?

Huw · May 2016

Is what possible?

TheBrickVideo · May 2016

Huw said:

Is what possible?

Huw is it working ?

Huw · May 2016

I don't know what the heck you're talking about, sorry.

Any more silly posts and you risk being banned.

Huw · May 2016

Actually, I'll ban you anyway. I see you are using multiple accounts, one of which, @Matthismcfly, has already been banned.

Legopassion8 · May 2016

For the editors of Club:

Every considered doing a whole issue of just childrens Mocs?

(It's the best part of the magazine!)

Also....is Lego run by bears/sharks. :P

SprinkleOtter · May 2016

Huw said:

Actually, I'll ban you anyway. I see you are using multiple accounts, one of which, @Matthismcfly, has already been banned.

Not to derail this, Huw, but is there any way to stop this guy from making any more accounts? He's getting quite aggressive.

Steve_J_OM · May 2016

@Huw Could you ask the LEGO World's team their thoughts on the discontinuation of Disney: Infinity, and their thoughts on the future of the toys-to-life category? And maybe a cheeky question on the possibility of Disney characters appearing in Dimensions :)

Huw · May 2016

^ Yeah, like they'd answer that one :)

^^ Not easily, he's using multiple IP addresses. We'll just have to be vigilant. If you suspect he's using another account you can see shared accounts listed on profile pages although I'm not sure how they are determined.

bandit778 · May 2016

I would like to know from the Technic Team if they will be going down the route of more single build Technic sets like the Porsche or was that the only planned one due to the license?
Personally I hope it was a one off as I enjoy making the 'b' models on the Technic range.

Also while I'm asking, as opposed to just binning Ideas sets that will not get made, could they not produce online instructions for sets that get past the 10000 so people could build the models themselves if they wanted to?

Legopassion8 · May 2016

Sigh...just ask the club magazine guys something so they don't fall asleep or get bored or feel left out. They do awesome work!

bobabricks · May 2016

@Huw I think you should ask to the Technic team why they have decided to create so many massive sets this year. There are a couple record breaking sets coming out this Summer and it will be interesting to see where it goes. Maybe we will finally see that fabled 10,000+ piece set in the future?

waynegg · May 2016

What's the next fairground set?!?

waynegg · May 2016

And- could you ask that when they make Voltron that they not change a single piece on it? It's absolutely awesome as is. The 10,000 votes in 21 days should give testament to that.

MaffyD · May 2016

Lego Ideas looks stagnant to me. Ask them what they are doing to make it better. Also, it's a bit of a poisoned chalice for TLG - whatever sets get to 10,000, they'll always be criticised for not making one set or another, then chastised for releasing a product that is 'identical' to an Ideas set, but without crediting the Ideas submission (Helicarrier). What's their response to that situation (I am NOT suggesting they are copying any Ideas set there, it's just a matter of perception)?

Regarding the Porsche Technic set, what more can we expect from that series?

Lego Club and Lego Rebrick - ask them if they are happy with the numbers of people using those services, as I don't find either very prominent either in store, online or in any literature. Also, what are the results of the "LEGO Rebrick May 2016" survey?

bok2 · May 2016

Question re Technic:

(1) Was it ever considered to offer "Mindstorm sets" with the additional parts (on top of the basic set) to build a specific model, e.g. a car?
(2) Was it ever considered to offer normal stand-alone Technic sets to which could be added the EV3 brick (just like adding power functions)?

SprinkleOtter · May 2016

Also, can you ask the Technic team why LEGO no longer offers technic parts packs, like they have done since... Well, forever, up until the mid 2000's?

Huw · May 2016

Thanks for your suggestions. Anyone have anything they'd like to add? I'll be collating them tomorrow.

AdeelZubair · May 2016

LEGO Technic
How did the decision of a unique and box presentation for the #42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS come about?

Is there any chance sharing the box presentation idea from #42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS into other 'Direct To Consumer' sets? Particularly the Creator Expert Large Scale Vehicles.

LEGO Ideas
The Ideas team started a campaign for 'Creative Ideas Wanted' yet non-licensed projects still seem to do less well than the licensed projects. Is their plans to separate the site into two or just stick with the original ideas? E.g. licensed projects should have a goal of 10,000 and the non-licensed projects should have a goal of 5,000 for not having a fan base to fall back on unlike licensed projects, otherwise it seems unfair. Alternatively remove the licensed sets entirely from LEGO Ideas and keep the site dedicated to original ideas. The intellectual properties take up over most of the site. Cutting down those will allow the non-licensed projects to shine and bring out many more creative and innovative ideas to the shelves much like #21109 Exo-Suit, #21301 Birds and #21305 Maze.

CurvedRoadPlate · May 2016

Would they ever consider another Technic Basic set with parts to build a variety of models and with lots of gears and elements? Like #8030 #8050 #8040, et cetra. Combining these with another standard Technic set opens up a lot of possibilities.

theLEGOman · June 2016

Getting technic parts to build your own models costs a fortune, it is also never included on the PAB wall, could you releasea "beam" pack to reduce the cost of doing so.

Making any reasonable size moc in technic costs a fortune, do they feel this is one of the reasons technic mocs seem to be somewhat stunted in overall numbers. Most seem to be pretty expensive models that have dedicated builders who spent a fortune.

It would be nice to see more interactive technic displays at shows that people can get involved in.

Will the Porsche be the start of a new technic "Architecture" range designed for a more adult ownership experience? If so will it be a car based line or will it be a random item line going forward.

The bucket excavator looks like a great model and great value for money, are there any plans for a 5000+ part halo model for the technic range, incorporating power function and pneumatics?
Have you ever considered making a large technic boat with a small stand to hold it steady, eg a cargo boat with working cranes for loading, opening cargo doors on top and ramps elsewhere, conveyer belt to load grain eg into the large compartment stores, lots of potential options.

AdeelZubair · June 2016

Anyone curious about Huw's trip to Billund, updates on the Brickset Twitter page. It's nice to see more behind the scenes.

https://twitter.com/BricksCulture/status/738314161013334017

https://twitter.com/brickset

bandit778 · July 2016

@Huw
I was wondering how the Q & A session went or did I miss the write up somewhere?
Have had a look through the main site but cannot find the follow-up piece.

Huw · July 2016

It's a bit of an arduous process...

I recorded the interviews so they need to be transcribed, then edited, and then sent to LEGO for approval before publication.

The one with the Technic guy is with LEGO at the moment, has been for a month or so; the Ideas and Bionicle ones have been transcribed and now need editing. I've not found the time, or inclination in this heat, to do that yet!

bandit778 · July 2016

@Huw
Thank you for the update. Didn't want to miss it and thought I was being denser than normal when I couldn't find it.

Your input wanted for interviews with LEGO designers and others

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