Has the imagination disappeared from Lego?

This article is naturally going to provoke discussion, please keep the comments civil and on topic.

I certainly do NOT think the imagination is disappearing from Lego because if it was, it wouldn't be as popular as it is today. I LOVE LEGO!

I think they have a valid argument, given how much of Lego has been given over to licensed properties, and even their own original sets they're trying to "franchise", if you will (Chima, etc.)

The article is well wait teman gives some good points both in favor or againts today sets. That said I think the creativity is still there and as some comments on this site if I can buy more than one set (such as Star Wars) I keep one intact and dismantle the other for pieces (however the 2015 Hailfire Droid is being turned into spare parts for an Idea project, it is so ugly compared to the 2003 Technic version, the minifigures will still go to my Republic and CIS armies).

I think it depends on the line. Some of the licensed lines focus just on playing with the end product, but lines like Creator and Basic are more about what to build.

LEGO is just trying to target different markets with the different lines. I recall a conversation with a coworker who wanted to take away LEGO builds from her son because he would just take them part after building them. I told her that was the fun and the goal of LEGO anyway.

Short summary;

They are wrong. Lack of imagination is still the only constraint and while sets are more specialised nowadays, kids still have the opportunity to build anything they want with the parts they get. The fact that the BBC news are covering a 'theoretical' segment on Lego is more than enough acknowledgement of the fact they are shifting for a reaction. It disgusts me that people twist the facts or misunderstand them in order to create news stories of their own.

I think Lego can pull away from over licensing themes and push more creativity through the themes that helped make them popular.

I know licensing help drive profits, but I remember, as a kid, classic space and pirates had me playing for hours because I had no preconceived notions about how I should be playing with the sets. TLG should be putting more effort into those sets IMO.

As an AFOL, I am just a collector. I also decided to collect only certain things so I don't spend all my money on Lego.

Didn't we have this conversation a few months ago, when The Guardian published an almost identical article?

@Drmnez11
"I know licensing help drive profits, but I remember, as a kid, classic space and pirates had me playing for hours because I had no preconceived notions about how I should be playing with the sets. TLG should be putting more effort into those sets IMO."

We still have lines that are not licensed themes. TLG are even bringing back Lego Pirates again. There are multiple alternatives if people actually looked for them rather than seeing things through tinted glasses. As a collector, honestly you should realise this. How much more effort can Lego put into making packs of Lego bricks ¬_¬

You can still go out and buy bags of Lego and there are entire sites devoted to getting tons of Lego easily such as Pick-a-brick or Bricklink. People have the option to get any parts they want or even a pile of basic bricks for there kids, it shouldn't be blamed on Lego that people are buying popular themes.

TLG is already putting a ton of effort into these sets and the community, which is one of the main reasons Bionicle is coming back because they heard the fans demand it. I don't see the issue here with any lack of creativity when their are entire themes devoted to promoting new ideas in the community (Lego Ideas) and several other themes devoted to providing bricks for builders and encouraging creativity (Lego Creator)

Did we not have a series of write-ups on this very site that statistically denounced the stale chestnut that LEGO kits are hyper specialised? As a community we really need to stop digging up this nonsense.

That article is a load of garbage. They made a bunch of untrue and rude remarks about LEGO, then gave the 10-second version of the book Brick By Brick, and finished with more rude remarks! "Instructions stifle creativity." Maybe the idiot who wrote that should actually try building something sometime... even if you don't follow them, you can still be inspired to build something similar or try out a technique shown in them.

Oh, yeah, and Meccano? Really? I would ask if they'd heard of Technic, but they mention it at the end, so apparently yes. IMHO, Technic is a much better example of their "realistic construction" than Meccano. What kid wants to use tools to put together a complex and possible hazardous hunk of metal as opposed to LEGO?

They say all this about 2x4 bricks, but what kid wants to use those when he has a huge array of parts at his disposal to make something much cooler, more detailed, etc.? I don't.

Oh, yeah, and this Chris Swan they mention is a total idiot.

I think there are some licensed minifigs that are too detailed and some parts that are too specialized - in that way, they leave little to the imagination since it makes some sets "too perfect" of a representation of the real thing. I think Lego sometimes strays a little too close to model-kit territory in that regard.

However I don't think imagination has disappeared from Lego, that's incredibly far from the truth. Instructions-free bucket sets are still widely available, brilliantly imaginative original sets like the Modular Buildings line are still going strong, and Lego has actually been pushing open-ended creativity quite a bit with things like the MBA, Mindstorms EV3, and Architecture Studio. There are more opportunities than ever to build with your imagination. Lego just has WAY more offerings than ever before, so it's easy to think they've phased out the creative sets, but in reality they've been there all along.

Isn't there an unwritten rule of journalism which says if the headline is a question, the answer is "probably not"? Strikes me as it fits here. Lego has just changed - kids' building experience is more guided than, say, 40 years ago, but the wider variety of parts lets them represent more things more accurately.

I think the most valid point to be gained from such a discussion is that modern Lego may favour a different 'kind' of creativity than 'old' Lego did. It may not foster the same level of creativity across the board from all children, but probably encourages more creativity from the children who are more creative in the first place, while still providing a solid play experience for others.

(If you think about it, if you never take a Lego set apart, then it still offers a play experience similar to non-construction toys)

The amount of warped, outdated and downright confusing information in that article is ridiculous. I can't believe the BBC would approve of/publish an article that is flagrantly click-bait. :(

Imagination is something found within the child, not the toy. All Lego sets are made from an assortment of pieces that, when separated from the instruction manual, can be used to create many different things. Most sets nowadays contain specialized pieces and colors that are meant to go towards what they were intended to make, which limits the ability of free-build. Lego currently sells (and has pretty much always sold) buckets and sets that are specifically designed for children who want to free-build. "Imagination" is as simple as giving your children the pieces and then letting them figure out what to do with them.

I don't believe that creativity has left Lego. You can't take the creativity out of something with that purpose in mind. However, technology (i.e. video games) can take the creativity out of children. I think what BBC has found is not a lack of creativity in Lego, but a lack of creativity in society. Also, the "evidence" that they have is all recognized as Lego's dark age. (When Galidor, Jack Stone, and "fiber-optic" kits came out and Lego almost went bankrupt) This is when the most "specialized" pieces were actually introduced. The wide variety of pieces today doesn't destroy creativity -- it builds it. With more options to create shapes (especially curves) than ever before! The introduction of new basic pieces (i.e 3x3 plates) helps with pro and AFOL building. Not only can we be creative with Lego, we can now be accurate. I think it's too bad that some people think this way.

lemme atem!

I've said it so, so, so soooooooo many times: The article is not really true, but I definitely agree with the lack of creativity in one theme in particular. *Cough Cough* BIONICLE! Where is the creativity in those, Lego. It's like Mega Blocks, just snap 'me together. Otherwise, Lego has definitely got a great legacy to leave, a great franchise, and a great foundation to build upon, (pun intended)

I just love it when these articles discredit themselves with the first word. "Lego" :P

Yes. Next question?

Of course older Lego fans/collectors realize different alternatives. I am speaking from the perspective of a child and their probable non AFOL parents. Since their target audience is still presumably children, that is where their focus should be. If not then Lego should target adults. I'm sure most six year old didn't email Lego demanding bionicle back.

More pieces (as long as they are versatile and not over-specialised like back in the early 2000's) generate more creativity and more imagination, they don't limit it!

And instructions provide inspiration! :)

The only thing they have is that there are lots more licensed themes. But really , can't Most ANY part be used for other things? I used a ninja go spinner as a TIE fighter base , and a couple other (later scrapped) ideas I had for a kind of wheeled ATV. Just the other day I used two mixels and the Jedi scout fighter to make assassin droids and a very different ship.
In short , it's not really just what they make it out to be. Just Becuase there are more specialized parts doesn't mean it's getting less imaginative. IMO , the 90's 'huge bulky parts' era was waaaay worse then now (looking at you , jack stone). I see newer parts as being more detail oriented. And like many others have said , there are very many basic brick boxes for those who wrongly think kids can't build with anything else.
Getting really tired of these newscasters seeing ninja go and chima and Star Wars and not even using an imagination and only seeing what's there.

ok first of all I agree with the topic but I hate the claims that they make. First of all they bring in a Nobel prize winner, sounds like an expert right wrong he is a chemist last time I checked chemistry and engineering, which Lego is almost promoting, have little to do with each other so this "expert" is useless.
Next I Do agree with the topic I loved the sort of recent Lego sets from the early 2000s. Today's Lego sets are pretty standard and are very bland. Even early on they had it so you can combine 2 sets and make an even cooler thing with it, but now 1 set can only have 1 thing made out of it.
Next the only claim that I have that is against this claim is that there are many different websites dedicated to imagination including one the is ran by Lego, the Lego ideas website. Think about it the most commonly theme that has been sold out is the Lego ideas. The best sets in my opinion have been made by the fans proving that Lego sets still have somewhat of an imagination factor to them.

the reason why i come back to lego in 2007 is because Lego now has a great variety of bricks, parts and colours to choose from, so u can build virtually anything. I grew up on Lego and i gave it up during the early 90s cos it was getting boring with only the classic colours and simple bricks to choose from. There are still many people out there insisting on a simple build and reminiscing the "good old days", but isn't that what tanked Lego back in the 90s and early 2000s? The golden era of Lego is now!

I agree with the saying that it depends on the theme. I think there are still many themes leaving us room for creating own things, like Town related themes. These are still the majority so I don't think we need to worry that much.

Licensed themes are getting more sophisticated in print designs and molds. They almost determine to target at the fans of media but not original idea lovers. But sometimes the licesned movies could be a good replacement of diceased generic themes (eg, Western, Pirate) until their rebirth. However they could also create conficts when iconic licesned characters replace generic ones (eg, Superman over original heroes, Disney Princess's over generic princess's).

Action themes could be in my problem list. The well-composed cartoon stories have caught kids' attention, but they mostly devote to the stories it self rather than noticing that other LEGO themes could be put together with other LEGO themes.
The LEGO Movie, onthe other hand, has pros and cons. The spirit of the movie means to encourage kids to combine any action or licensed theme they like to compose their own story. However the advertisings also make some audience focus on the main characters only (g, Batman should only befriend with Emmet and Wyld but not any other random character from the LEGO world.)

I took part 47759 (a brown wedge) from our Geonosian Cannon Star Wars set (9491) and used that as an integral part of my Musk Ox project on LEGO Ideas. That part is in only 6 sets, all produced since 2011. I think it aided my creative efforts - it certainly didn't hinder them - so I really disagree with the thrust of the BBC story.

Also, the reference made in the story to the single orange piece used in the 4652 Tow Truck is a little unfair as that was aimed at little kids. What's their message - it's not creative unless kids can choke on it?

I think they have a pretty good point, which can be demonstrated by looking at the 'basic' brick sets that Lego has for sale. I got back into Lego a couple of years ago (pulled in by the Lord of the Rings sets), and decided I wanted some of the basic brick sets. Should be easy, right? Well, all I've managed so far is the pink brick box (which is no longer made) and the 10662 set. That's it. That's what's available to buy for basic brick.

Even if you look in the Lego shop, they only have 3 sets - 10682 and 6177 (neither of which I've actually seen in a store) and 10662. If you go into Walmart or Target or KMart, you'll find hundreds of Lego sets that build specific things - and exactly 1 basic brick set, 10662. Which is frankly pretty bad, because about 30% of the set is 2x2 bricks. Tomorrow, Thanksgiving, Walmart is selling 10664, first and only time it's been for sale in the US, and I'm pretty exciting about that. I'm just hoping I can order it online because I'm not going shopping on Thanksgiving, and I don't think it's going to be available after that.

Next year looks like it MIGHT be better, because there seems to be 4 basic brick sets coming which look good. Hopefully they'll release them in the US...

Anyway, if Lego wants to end complaints like these ones, they need to actually make some decent basic sets. As long as there's a whopping 1 option in that category (and a fairly bad one at that, stuffed full of 1x1s and 2x2s to cheaply pump up the part count), I think it's a fair complaint.

It's no the LEGO, it is the mind that controls the imagination.

as soon as lego started to make sets like "few walls" and some detailed figures - the imagination was banished from lego. the more stickers, less parts and more bigger price.

The way I read the article was that it disproved it's opening point. Unlike many of the articles, like The Guardian's, that appeared when the TLM came out.

When I see all the young children in my family circle (all under 10) playing with LEGO, the first thing they do with a new set is build it from instructions. But within the hour, it's modified, demolished, rebuilt as something else and the creativity takes over.

None of them keep sets together. All of them have a big container of bricks they use to MOC.

It seemed quite a balanced article to me, I didn't feel they were coming down on the side of the critics - rather the reverse if anything. As usual there are some public comments from people who clearly haven't been anywhere near a Lego set in 30 years but still feel qualified to say it's all gone downhill...but then some people just seize any opportunity to moan about things going downhill in general :-)

The article itself doesn't allow comments but I am afraid I went onto the facebook page and left a comment to the effect that it's nonsense. They link to several sources which disprove the questions asked in the article! Creativity lies with the person.

@Smartiepants70
I think that if anything, the quality of moaning has gone down hill these days. When I were a lad, it used to be an art form and .... :-)

I don't agree with it. Yeah there are way more pieces but I feel that just adds to the potential for play. I started buying sets years ago as a young teen because I kept breaking my SW toys by crashing them and such. LEGO gave me the perfect alternitive. I could crash them, blow them up, and then just rebuild them. All these new parts and colors have made it possible to expand on already great theams. The only thing I don't like about some of the newer parts is when you end up with 1 or 2 pieces that can be made in the exact same way with like 5 or 6 pieces. But other than that, I feel LEGO has been stepping up with their designs, figure assortment, and overall playability. You can use you imagination just as much with the sets they provide even if you don't have to make everything out of "blocks".

My 3 and 7 years olds would agree to disagree on the matter. They have both made loads of exciting and new things to accompany and augment their "off the shelf" sets.

I think its just a story for the sake of it to be honest.

Lego just posted a new commercial for the parents/adults talking about the creative way children use Lego bricks.
What a coincidence !

And I must say, a pretty nice video too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfhV3Q4LJPM

Lack of creativity??

As stated several times, children build the single set, play with it for a while, get bored, and make it into something else... When a child gets bored with a none construction toy, what do they do with it?? Ignore it usually, so Lego is still being used, and the child does not get bored with it as it can become many different things, depending on the childs imagination, or what they have just been watching/reading about...

Yes, I admit it, when my son gets a new set, I have him build it following the instructions.

Why?

Well he has trouble following instructions very often, so this makes him do each step one at a time.

By following the instructions, he learns how Lego can be put together with stability, so many of his own creations are now very stable (compared to those he used to build, and cry over when they fell apart).

Once he has seen how it goes together, and what if looks like (from all angles) when it is built, he knows how he wants to alter it later...

The instructions are there to guide the child, but they can change things as they go if they wish. Model kits, no chance, you have one thing, and once they are together, that is it...

OK, 1 out of 3 posts made it...

There was also no mention of how Lego is used in a business environment with Lego Serious Play...

So many uses of one "toy", that puts it out in front of what else is available...

OK, Meccano was mentioned (was this because it is British??). But how safe is this to use in schools?? I know my brother had many "stab" injuries from trying to take apart things with nuts and screws that had become too tightly joined together... Lego, never a problem

Lego Education has many sets that not only help specific learning goals (there is a new set coming out to help with KS1 maths, there are educational Mindstorms sets to help with STEM subjects, and many others), but each set is designed to be used by more than one student, meaning they create collaboratively. In this day and age, when many children get together through a screen (computer, TV, phone, or other), this build potential teamwork...

Mentioned?? Nah...

@jtchr: You're right, chemistry and engineering don't have much to do with each other. But I disagree on your second point: LEGO might not show pictures of alternate or combination models with their sets, but that doesn't mean you can't build them.

And not all Ideas sets are so imaginative. *cough*ResearchInstitute*cough*

This is not something to get interested in too much really. The thing is, people like and dislike certain things about LEGO, like me - I like Collectable Minifigures, but not LOC. I think the BBC just wanted to have an article about LEGO because today is the Brick2014 Show, as do others. LEGO is there for fun and not much else. :-)

What a garbage article. LEGO IS CREATIVITY! The specialized parts promote this. The wider range of pieces helps to create more detailed and more appealing creations. If you ask me, sticking to simple bricks creates a lack of creativity if you're an TFOL or AFOL, because as a MOCer at that age, you want more of a challenge and a more appealing end product. And as for Meccano, I couldn't think of a more boring and potentially dangerous "toy" to fiddle with. I had a few as a kid, and I ended up with more scars than fun. Not to mention nothing ever turned out looking attractive in the slightest. The simple point is this: LEGO is now one of the most successful toys businesses in the industry right now. And as such, the eye of the world is on them. So, the first chance people, like BBC, get to dig up some opinionated dirt on them, they will, regardless of truth.

Perhaps they should look at this and say creativity is dead!
https://www.facebook.com/LEGO/photos/pcb.10152558753243403/10152558751183403/?type=1&theater

@yuffie Besides getting more detailed, how has LEGO moved away from its aim, which is to sell a fun activity? And as for it being a children's toy, the way we use it makes it an adult thing. And the ages on the box is just a suggestion, they have to put that on there. ;P

@yuffie: Good point on Meccano. "Practically lethal, and they dare to suggest it as a step up in construction toys." Yeah, that's a great plan, you imbecile of a journalist: Give the kids Meccano, because hammering your finger off is preferable to following instructions.

How long until these things start praising whatever British-based LEGO copycat that isn't illegal for its sheer imagination?

yes

Unleash the Kragle!

I tried to post this earlier, and failed...

Questions related to Meccano and Lego: How many engineers, designers, technicians, etc. grew up playing with either Lego or Meccano?? Which had the greatest influence (e.g. more architects played with Lego, compared to engineers playing with Meccano)??

Silly article. We have loads of the themed sets and my boys (Almost 3 and almost 4) love creating new things with them or modifying the intended kit. Currently we have a rocket train and a Batmobile combined with an X-Wing fighter. The design built from instructions has served as a nice jumping off point for them to let their imagination run wild as neither of them are old enough to really design anything from scratch yet. I also love Meccano but don't see this as a natural progression from Lego - totally different building technique, totally different toy. And if you want a decent amount of Meccano to build to your imaginations desires it makes Lego look cheap :)

My wife asked me to get our kids Mechano sets, and I'm like what the heck is Mechano. In the US it's Erector, and Cluedo is Clue (I thought she was refering to a knock off or a Spanish version). Why the different branding, like Lego is Lego everywhere, not Lego in one and Legiu in another? And I did love Erector/Mechano or Meccano as well as Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs.

Well, I don't think aesthetics and new techniques & possibilities (gained by the addition of many different elements to squares and plates) don't kill the imagination, on the contrary, they create many new ways to transfer imagination into reality.
Having more and more licensed sets doesn't support BBC's claim either. They are all bricks and parts when torn apart.

Short answer: Absolutely!

Long answer: definitely not!

The most I got from this article was "The cost of creating a new Lego brick, mainly setting up moulds and production processes, is usually about $50,000 (£32,000)."

I knew it was expensive, but I'm glad to have a more specific number now. :3

Other than that the article was just a summary of arguments we've already heard.

And looking further through the BBC site, i came across this...

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30052690

from the 21st November, a few days before the article we are discussing...

The article is nonsense. People have been customizing Lego sets to suit their needs before there were licensed sets. I remember playing with an all blue minifigure and making him a paper cape to pretend he was superman. Lego has just made it easier but making official licensed minifigures of the same popular franchises.

Lego has always been about offering an example. Lego provides a set with everything you need to build a fire-truck and the include instructions to show you not only how to build that specific truck, but any truck. The provide the starting point and teach kids how to build their own creations.

First off, I have to agree with the other posters, MORE variety in parts fosters GREATER creativity! Even for those apparently-single use parts. Contests used to spring up on LUGnet to find the most-creative use of a "single use" part. Tree stumps, rope bridges, Technic seats, that eird light-up tail thing from one of the Insectoids sets...none of them used for anything even remotely close to what was intended. Some truly amazing stuff came out of people trying to find a use for an odd part.

Second, LEGO licensed sets aren't used only to mimic a scene from a license. That was the beauty of the LEGO movie...it captured the essence of how kids play. A construction guy, Batman, an 80's space guy, and a brick-built unicorn/cat thing? OF COURSE they play with each other! One look at my son and daughter putting together Star Wars, Friends, and Ninjago all at once shows this reality. (It makes complete sense that the Friends are hitching a ride on a Republic Gunship...) And that's just play...nothing is sacred, anything can be mixed. Probably a lot more creativity out of those kids than if they just had basic 2x4 bricks to play and build with.

I have to agree on some aspects in the article because Lego do use way too many specialized parts for themes such as; Chima, Ninjago and Star Wars to name but a few. Often these new molds cannot be used creatively and have to be used for certain ideas. For example; Plane parts, windscreens and cheater bricks. One theme that seems to use the same or similar parts each wave is Technic. Even when there are new parts, these parts can be used with elements from an earlier wave or year.

Anyone has the same opinion as me that themes like Chima and Ninjago are essentially gimmicks