Unlocking the Magic of LEGO Ideas Sets – What is LEGO Ideas?
LEGO Ideas has changed the game for LEGO fans worldwide, offering a unique platform to propose and develop new LEGO sets. From the iconic Central Perk café from *F.R.I.E.N.D.S* to the detailed NASA Apollo V rocket, many remarkable sets have come to life through LEGO Ideas. This guide will help you transform your unique LEGO creation into an official set, guiding you from the initial concept to gaining community support and navigating the review process.
A Community-Driven Platform
LEGO Ideas is a platform that invites LEGO enthusiasts to submit their unique set concepts for evaluation. This initiative encourages builders to showcase their creativity and originality, proposing designs that could potentially become official LEGO sets. The platform thrives on community interaction, with projects gaining support through votes from fellow enthusiasts. Reaching 10,000 supporters qualifies a project for review by the LEGO Ideas team, potentially leading to its development and release as a purchasable set.
Steps to Your Winning LEGO Ideas Sets
Step 1: Develop a Winning Idea
Your idea should be original, captivating, and capable of catching the eye of LEGO collectors. Ensure it offers something new to the LEGO universe. Conduct thorough research to confirm that your concept hasn’t already been covered by existing sets.
Step 2: Review LEGO Ideas Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the LEGO Ideas guidelines to ensure your project complies with all requirements. Pay particular attention to intellectual property restrictions to avoid potential rejections due to copyright issues.
Step 3: Build Your Dream LEGO Ideas Sets
Use real bricks or digital design software like LEGO Digital Designer or Bricklink Studio to create your model. Ensure your planned LEGO Ideas sets accurately represent your idea and highlight its unique features and design elements.
Step 4: Capture High-Quality Photos
Take clear, well-lit photographs of your LEGO model from various angles. These images should showcase the details and overall appearance of your design. If you’re using digital software, be sure to export renderings of the final model.
Step 5: Write a Compelling Project Description
Craft a detailed project description that explains your concept, inspiration, and the features of your envisioned LEGO Ideas sets. Include specifics such as piece count, dimensions, play functions, and notable design techniques.
Step 6: Create a LEGO Ideas Account
Sign up for a LEGO Ideas account on the LEGO Ideas website. This account will allow you to submit your project and interact with the community.
Step 7: Submit Your Project
Once your photos and project description are ready, navigate to the LEGO Ideas website and click the “Submit a Project” button. Fill in the necessary details, including the title, description, and category, and upload your LEGO Ideas sets or project photos.
Step 8: Engage with the Community and Gather Supporters
After submission, actively engage with the LEGO Ideas community. Share updates, respond to comments, and support other projects. Promote your planned LEGO Ideas sets or projects through social media, forums, and other platforms to gather votes. Aim to reach the 10,000 supporters needed for your project to be reviewed.
Step 9: Await the LEGO Ideas Review
If your project reaches 10,000 supporters, it enters the LEGO Ideas review phase. During this phase, the LEGO Ideas team evaluates its feasibility, market appeal, and alignment with LEGO’s values. Successful projects move on to become official LEGO sets.
Step 10: Celebrate Success or Try Again
If your proposed LEGO Ideas sets or projects get the nod of approval or is selected for production, then congratulations! You will be credited as the creator, and your LEGO set will be developed and released. If not, learn from the experience, gather feedback, and consider refining or submitting a new project in the future.
The Approval Phases of a LEGO Ideas Set
Voting Phase
Once your project is submitted, it needs to gather support. To attract the attention of the LEGO official team, your project must gain 10,000 supporters. This considerable number ensures only the best ideas are noticed. Promote your project through various channels to reach this milestone.
Review Phase
After achieving 10,000 supporters, your project enters the review phase, where the LEGO Ideas team evaluates its feasibility, market appeal, and alignment with LEGO’s values. This phase determines if your project has the potential to become an official set.
Production Phase
If selected, your project moves into production. LEGO designers refine your model to meet LEGO’s quality and playability standards. Once finalized, your set is produced and sold worldwide.
How to Support Future LEGO Ideas Sets or Projects
The LEGO Ideas community is filled with creativity. Voting for projects is simple and supports the creators. Browse the “Explore Product Ideas” section to see ongoing projects. Click on the model’s page and hit the “support” button to cast your vote. You can also leave encouraging comments for the LEGO fan designer or author of the project.
Fun Activities and Challenges on LEGO Ideas
LEGO Ideas often organizes contests and challenges, offering opportunities to win prizes like LEGO sets and merchandise. Contests typically revolve around specific themes, requiring participants to create themed LEGO models. Challenges, on the other hand, are more skill-intensive but offer greater rewards.
Iconic LEGO Ideas Sets
Here are some of the most successful LEGO Ideas sets:
| Number | Set Name | Year Released | Minifigures | Pieces | Original Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21100 | Shinkai 6500 Submarine | 2011 | 0 | 413 | 49.99 |
| 21101 | Hayabusa | 2012 | 1 | 369 | 49.99 |
| 21102 | Minecraft Micro World: The Forest | 2012 | 0 | 480 | 34.99 |
| 21103 | The DeLorean Time Machine | 2013 | 2 | 401 | 34.99 |
| 21104 | NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover | 2014 | 0 | 295 | 29.99 |
| 21108 | Ghostbusters Ecto-1 | 2014 | 4 | 508 | 49.99 |
| 21109 | Exo Suit | 2014 | 2 | 321 | 34.99 |
| 21110 | Research Institute | 2014 | 3 | 165 | 19.99 |
| 21301 | Birds | 2015 | 0 | 580 | 44.99 |
| 21302 | The Big Bang Theory | 2015 | 7 | 484 | 59.99 |
| 21303 | WALL-E | 2015 | 0 | 677 | 59.99 |
| 21304 | Doctor Who | 2015 | 6 | 623 | 59.99 |
| 21305 | Maze | 2016 | 0 | 769 | 69.99 |
| 21306 | The Beatles Yellow Submarine | 2016 | 5 | 553 | 59.99 |
| 21307 | Caterham Seven 620R | 2016 | 0 | 771 | 79.99 |
| 21308 | Adventure Time | 2017 | 0 | 495 | 49.99 |
| 21309 | NASA Apollo Saturn V | 2017 | 3 | 1,969 | 119.99 |
| 21310 | Old Fishing Store | 2017 | 4 | 2,049 | 149.99 |
| 21311 | Voltron | 2018 | 0 | 2,321 | 179.99 |
| 21312 | Women of NASA | 2017 | 4 | 231 | 24.99 |
| 21313 | Ship in a Bottle | 2018 | 0 | 962 | 69.99 |
| 21314 | TRON: Legacy | 2018 | 3 | 230 | 34.99 |
| 21315 | Pop-Up Book | 2018 | 5 | 859 | 69.99 |
| 21316 | The Flintstones | 2019 | 4 | 748 | 59.99 |
| 21317 | Steamboat Willie | 2019 | 2 | 751 | 89.99 |
| 21318 | Tree House | 2019 | 4 | 3,036 | 249.99 |
| 21319 | Central Perk | 2019 | 7 | 1,070 | 79.99 |
| 21320 | Dinosaur Fossils | 2019 | 2 | 910 | 59.99 |
| 21321 | International Space Station | 2020 | 0 | 864 | 69.99 |
| 21322 | Pirates of Barracuda Bay | 2020 | 10 | 2,545 | 199.99 |
| 21323 | Grand Piano | 2020 | 0 | 3,662 | 399.99 |
| 21324 | 123 Sesame Street | 2020 | 6 | 1,367 | 119.99 |
| 21325 | Medieval Blacksmith | 2021 | 4 | 2,164 | 179.99 |
| 21326 | Winnie the Pooh | 2021 | 5 | 1,265 | 99.99 |
| 21327 | Typewriter | 2021 | 0 | 2,079 | 249.99 |
| 21328 | Seinfeld | 2021 | 5 | 1,326 | 79.99 |
| 21329 | Fender Stratocaster | 2021 | 0 | 1,074 | 119.99 |
| 21330 | Home Alone | 2021 | 5 | 3,955 | 249.99 |
| 21331 | Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone | 2022 | 3 | 1,125 | 79.99 |
| 21332 | The Globe | 2022 | 0 | 2,585 | 229.99 |
| 21333 | Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night | 2022 | 1 | 2,316 | 169.99 |
| 21334 | Jazz Quartet | 2022 | 0 | 1,606 | 99.99 |
Stay Updated!
Stay informed about the latest LEGO Ideas news, including the best projects, those passing the review threshold, and new sets in production. Subscribe to our Telegram channel for real-time updates and never miss out on exciting LEGO Ideas developments.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can turn your dream LEGO Ideas sets into reality, contributing to the vibrant and ever-growing LEGO community. Engage, innovate, and let your creativity shine with LEGO Ideas.