Designer insight: George Gilliatt
Posted by Huwbot,
Many LEGO set designers use our BrickLists feature to maintain a list of the sets they've worked on and often provide interesting insights about their involvement.
Once a week we publish an entry from one of their lists on the home page to increase awareness of this information and to encourage more designers to create them.
George Gilliatt wrote this about their work on 31111 Cyber Drone:
The first model I designed by myself since being hired as a full-time designer! This set sees the successor to the classic Spyrius Droid and Ann Droid minifigures with the introduction of Cyber Droid! I got a brand new face decoration for this figure, which was drawn up beautifully by Graphic Designer Matt Parsons.
FUN FACTS:
- This model borrows its Orange and Sand Blue colour scheme from the 2004 Creator set 4508 Titan XP.
- The B model Cyber Mech was inspired by the 2006 Exo Force set 7701 Grand Titan, featuring a laser arm and a claw arm.
- Element 30602 appears here in Sand Blue for the first time since the 2002 Attack of the Clones set 7103 Jedi Duel!
- View all sets George Gilliatt has worked on
- View all designer BrickLists.
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If you're a LEGO designer and you've already created a list you can opt in to having your notes included in this series of articles by editing the list and giving consent.
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15 comments on this article
I recently got this set because of the nostalgic Spyrius-themed minifigure and it was a total surprise. It is an absolute gem of a set in a sea of soulless licenced crap Lego churns out these days, reminiscent of Lego's golden 90s era, when even 100 piece sets were well thought-out and designed. Very playable, reasonable price, original and imaginative concept with no licenses attached and brilliant alternative builds provided. And there are a hundred more alternative builds on Rebrickable. It was the most fun I have ever had with 7 euros, and it got me interested in Creator 3-in-1 given Technic's long slump. Just get one before it retires in two months.
I enjoyed the run of space-inspired 3-in-1 Creator sets a few years ago, and it's a shame it was not continued longer. But between this set, the robot miner, and the rover, we got a couple different figures and up to nine different models to play with, so that's fun.
@oldfan said:
"I enjoyed the run of space-inspired 3-in-1 Creator sets a few years ago, and it's a shame it was not continued longer. But between this set, the robot miner, and the rover, we got a couple different figures and up to nine different models to play with, so that's fun."
Yeah , those were good, I mean, I rather have actual space sets instead of Space or Pirate rollercoasters. (altho they do both have good parts for such themes still)
I'll admit that I'm not that fond of the robot model (mainly due to it having no leg poseability), but the other two more than make up for it. I especially love the way he did the controls on those models. Hats off to George!
@johnnytifosi: I'll have to see what Rebrickable has come up with. I probably should visit that site more often; the only time I ever even go there is when led there from set inventories that came from there and not Lego.
Well that makes it a hat trick. Got the last 3 George Gilliatt Designer Insights.
As for 4 ago..... everyone's aloud an occasional off day!
Great set! It was an easy decision to buy this one (even though it was off-theme for me), and I have no regrets! Great job designing it!
A Great little set - love it
Creator 3-in-1 is an absolutely underrated theme. Especially the smaller sets.
Just a heads up, this set is retiring by the end of this year. So if you haven’t got a copy or want more copies, now is the time!
I got it for the figure and the build was a nice bonus. Nothing crazy but still nice to have. Especially for the nostalgia some here can relate to
@Lance_McCormick said:
"Creator 3-in-1 is an absolutely underrated theme. Especially the smaller sets."
Yeah but hopefully 31141 : Main Street isn't an example of the future of this theme , compared to many previous Town themed 3-in-1, that set just seems somewhat overpriced for what's on offer (altho it's still a good looking facade set and I don't mind open back buildings, just seems to have less value compared to the past, for a €140 set)
That said, the smaller sets have been fantastic, and maybe the main street is a bit of a let down also because past year big sets also have been big stand outs with the 2020 Pirate Ship still available even next year (despite the price raise from €100 to €130 a while ago), and the Castle being really nice, as well as a Viking Ship .
While not 3-in-1, I am looking forward what a Classic theme set named 11035 : Creative Houses will bring in terms of parts, to compare value to main street.
@TeriXeri said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
"Creator 3-in-1 is an absolutely underrated theme. Especially the smaller sets."
Yeah but hopefully 31141 : Main Street isn't an example of the future of this theme , compared to many previous Town themed 3-in-1, that set just seems somewhat overpriced for what's on offer (altho it's still a good looking facade set and I don't mind open back buildings, just seems to have less value compared to the past, for a €140 set)
"
For what it's worth, I've got the new 31139 Cozy House, also released in 2023, and it's brilliant. The alt builds are really cool too, especially the mini A-frame. Value for money at MSRP is somewhat lacking because the actual house is 12x12, but it is decently discounted on amazon.de.
I actually have two of these, one of the best sets, and best value sets, in years.
I often feel this set was inspired by the Osprey:
https://brickset.com/sets/42113-1/Bell-Boeing-V-22-Osprey
Creator 3-in-1 are one of the last real Lego gems without license. Acceptable prices and multiple build options are/have been the core of bricks.
@TeriXeri said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
"Creator 3-in-1 is an absolutely underrated theme. Especially the smaller sets."
Yeah but hopefully 31141 : Main Street isn't an example of the future of this theme , compared to many previous Town themed 3-in-1, that set just seems somewhat overpriced for what's on offer..."
Hear, hear!
We've enjoyed making a little town of 'mini-modulars' over the years, with 31131 being our last addition, but Main Street was unexpectedly expensive compared to its predecessors. Curious design decision too imho.