BrickLink Designer Program Series 11 sets revealed!

@Murdoch17 said:
"Man, Castle fans are eating good with this one...

Also, the Ice Cream Parlor is ripe for a modular modification... too bad it's only 24 studs wide, so it will need an alley added on or become a corner building."

It's no flat at the back, so doesn't suit as corner either.

@Kingcreations Afff, don't give up on Ivory Palace!
I wanted also write "don't be sad" but now I see on Instagram that University of science is also yours! So probably you are happy in last few days :)
Guess they are not choosing your project just to be polite for others since you have already few finals xD

I love the Elven Citadel and the Royal Nest, but I bet they're pricy.

I need to have a closer look at le petit bouquet and the village parlour, but I imagine they'll go on my list as well.

Probably only Elven Citadel. I like classic space a lot, but not so much this one. Not clean enough.

If Le Petit Bouquet is <£50, I'll consider it. Otherwise, another series of excessively large sets that will be too expensive for me.

All look great!…. Especially Elven Citadel!
But there needs to be a better name than “Royal Nest”! Sounds like something to do with birds!….

Pretty ironic because neither Mictur’s nor Henry’s models were my favorite of theirs! Both of these were in my top 6 of non-castle sets, but I liked the Signal Box and Pelican Pier of theirs better. May pick up both of them, but I think if I’d have to pick one, just based of price (who knows what the final models will look like, or how easy the Village Parlour will be to modular-ize), I’d probably say Le Petit Bouque.

I think they're all 'fine', but nothing really getting me overly excited. I'm not a huge space-fan (other than the Spyrius sets I had as a kid), but the train does look neat. Nevertheless, I'll probably pick up all five of these sets. My wife is collecting the western sets, so unfortunately there's nothing for her this round.

Oh nice, Le Petit Bouquet made it! That was one of my favorites this round—not only is it great looking but it's also small (and thus, easier to take the plunge on than some of the extravagantly large projects). I definitely plan to get that and set up the truck near some of my modulars.

All of the sets are in the "almost there but not quite" category. The closest is the Space set, and that's because I think it's the first time we've seen a Space set.

These sets will probably be pricey so I think we have to be picky.

I hope they can do a better variety of colors for the space train. At the very least the little mech should have a green one.

@guachi said:
"All of the sets are in the "almost there but not quite" category. "

It really describes BDP as a whole. All of the sets I’ve bought from this program lack that finishing touch from Lego. In building them, I’ve found there have often been areas that could have been improved if they had a revision by Lego experts.

… Alright so my preferences don’t matter because I don’t buy BLDP sets, and besides that I completely understand the reasoning behind using a pre-existing printed piece, but even so, I hope the not-Métro sign in Le Petit Bouquet is updated a bit because I have a deep and abiding love for Hector Guimard’s art nouveau entrances and it just isn’t the same without the art nouveau typography to go with it.

Gratz space peeps for getting behind a single candidate o/

Love 'Le Petit Bouquet'. Fortunately the various castles that keep popping up have never held much interest for me.

I like these. Going to be hard to choose. I wanted too many of the series 8 ones and ended up just ordering one. Hoping I have the bricks to build the others from the instructions.

Darn still no Dwarf sets! :(

@Capybara554321 said:
"I hope they can do a better variety of colors for the space train. At the very least the little mech should have a green one. "

Green is salvage. The very idea they were mech pilots falls apart the instant you consider how many old sets included mechs. And how many included pilots before Green came into existence. But salvage absolutely fits the reveal video they posted.

@lemish34 said:
"All look great!…. Especially Elven Citadel!
But there needs to be a better name than “Royal Nest”! Sounds like something to do with birds!…."

If castles were built on high cliffs or mountain peaks they were called "nests" because they would resemble birds nests from below. It's also the castle of the Griffin Knights so the name fits just right. Just look up Eagles' Nest in Poland.

I like all entries in this series and will probably get them, especially the Elven Citadel. Saw that on Nicolas's IG years ago and was blown away.

I still miss a decent hospital in my city... Pity none of them made the cut...

Usually not one to engage in the BLDP, but that Trains sure looks nice!

Damn, I like all of them. Maybe this will change when they anounce the price.

i do not like one of them, yes not even the spacetrain! Thats because i would have to build such large sets on a screen! Horrorible! Give me physical instructions and i will buy a Bricklink set because designwise they are quite good most the time. I can realy not understand how people putting a 4000piece legoset together watching on a screen! You people need serious help!

One could argue that i could print out the instructions, now thats extra work and money i am not willing to pay or spend time for with a premium pricing which is very often the case for bricklink sets.

I want to add that the wheelsize of that petite bouquet truck is quite bad. They are way to small compared to the overall size of the truck. am i the only one feeling that way?

The Elven Citadel is like a non licensed Rivendell setting.

Will pick up the Petit Bouquet one as it fits my old world city. Doubting on the Parlor

@ElephantKnight said:
"Nice to see Space finally gets a set."

Shame it lags of trans neon colours like green or orange ;)

All of them are really nice. I won't go and check the prices for castles and elves citadel but... Very nice sets anyway.

@Oli said:
" @ElephantKnight said:
"Nice to see Space finally gets a set."

Shame it lags of trans neon colours like green or orange ;)"

That's what I was missing!

The Elven Citadel looks amazing, so I'll probably get that one.
Usually I would go for the Classic Space themed one as well (still a huge fan of that theme and I have all the original sets on display here...) but this one misses the mark for me. Or maybe it has to grow on me? We'll see I guess.

@yellowcastle said:
"The two castles are well done but I’ll wait to see the finalized designs. I really struggle to understand the space train but we’ll see how it comes along. The flower truck will be a must if not overpriced. The parlour is oddly sized so I’m just not sure.

I just rechecked this series and there were so many other sets I preferred such as Verdigris Isle, Lunar Horizon, whale fall, medieval cathedral, slide puzzle, Driftwood Keep, and Niloc’s General Hospital. Hopefully they’ll return.

@Arselus - I’m sorry the cathedral didn’t make it but thank you again for including us on the journey."

I have one more spark of inspiration for BDP 12 :)

Must the spacemen be from existing colours? Maybe add purple, dark blue or black? Haha

@ikke said:
"I still miss a decent hospital in my city... Pity none of them made the cut..."

Check out lumibricks new clinic set, https://share.google/mriHvCXuNPUckhz2S

I don't know if it's quite what you had in mind, but I thought it might work.

The Royal Nest is right up my alley, as a life-long Castle fan, although I'm not sure if I really need another big grey castle. It's nice to get these once every two years or so, but at this rate it feels a bit overwhelming -- and I don't live in an actual castle to put these things.

Maybe I will change my mind in 12 months time. The other sets look fine as well, but nothing overly excited. Maybe my enthusiasm has died down a bit because of the enormous amount of big LEGO sets released in recent years. A new LEGO castle used to feel special. Now I'm like: "Oh, another one..."

Space train looks great but I'll wait to see the refined set & price before I get too excited. The bogie design needs work and the sat tower seems a bit forced. Replace that with a cargo loading platform with elevator lift and you got a stew going.

I vote for NOT adding neon colors as this is clearly classic space themed. And I'm not expecting new colors of spacemen for this, considering it's not official official.

@PDelahanty said:
" @guachi said:
"All of the sets are in the "almost there but not quite" category. "

It really describes BDP as a whole. All of the sets I’ve bought from this program lack that finishing touch from Lego. In building them, I’ve found there have often been areas that could have been improved if they had a revision by Lego experts."
Such as?

more and more castles

The Royal Nest looks great. I love the circular towers. Those will be fun to build. The interiors are a bit bland, but it's still a purchase.

Elven Citadel looks good, but no elves for minifigs, lol

I'm hoping the Parlor is Modular size in width. The Modulars do need some buildings with alleys between them to get to the back, so this will fit in with the city.

It's a nice castle, but there was one for the Kraken faction that oozed a lot more personality. It's been rejected twice despite the originality, which is really sad.

I just splurged for Dustmark, so we'll see for this one later on.

@Oli said:
"...I can really not understand how people putting a 4000piece legoset together watching on a screen! You people need serious help!...."

Oh, wayyy beyond help. Try 11,000 pieces...of the same color.
*lays head against padded wall*
You grow accustomed to the retina burn, hallucinations and carpal tunnel. I'll be fine.

What's the significance of 6899 on the Monorail? Much as I hate to say it, I can't see the point of a new monorail without re-introducing the original track.

@daniellesa said:
" @ikke said:
"I still miss a decent hospital in my city... Pity none of them made the cut..."

Check out lumibricks new clinic set, https://share.google/mriHvCXuNPUckhz2S

I don't know if it's quite what you had in mind, but I thought it might work. "

I have been tempted to try lumibricks, because they produce nice sets for decent prices. But I can't bring myself to buy anything else but lego, I don't want to "contaminate" my collection with other bricks.
Furthermore (and this is something I would like to see discussed in an article @Huw ) there is an opinion among lego fans that it is too expensive in comparison to other brands. But we have to keep in mind that the lego group is a private owned western based company, that does not and can not rely on support from government benefits, as is normal in this region of the world. Lumibricks is a Chinese company, and as so many others I think they are able to produce under the normal pricing due to the benefits they get in China. So, morally I can't justify buying anything else.

@Oli said:
"i do not like one of them, yes not even the spacetrain! Thats because i would have to build such large sets on a screen! Horrorible! Give me physical instructions and i will buy a Bricklink set because designwise they are quite good most the time. I can realy not understand how people putting a 4000piece legoset together watching on a screen! You people need serious help!"

On a phone screen, definitely, but on a desktop at 1600x900 resolution it's fine. I've built a lot of models from things like idea book 241 from digital scans.

Regarding the spacetrain, I think it's supposed to run on standard 6-stud gauge track? If so, something with blue rails would seem to be appropriate. Not sure how it would cope with points, though - maybe a traverser would be called for.

@Oli said:
"i do not like one of them, yes not even the spacetrain! Thats because i would have to build such large sets on a screen! Horrorible! Give me physical instructions and i will buy a Bricklink set because designwise they are quite good most the time. I can realy not understand how people putting a 4000piece legoset together watching on a screen! You people need serious help!"
For the longest time I was with you on this, But a few months ago I built the Mattel NSX, and wanted to make it the RHD Honda version, while the printed instructions are only for the LHD Acura variant. And not only did I end up building the whole thing from the PDF, ever since I build most other (mostly Lego) sets also from PDF.

And one thing that already annoyed me with paper instructions is how nowadays it's usually quite a thick glued)booklet, and all to often it the darn thing won't stay on the right page unless you put something on it. And considering you have to flip a page after every few pieces, that gets old pretty quickly. Also, sometimes the contrast or color accuracy is lacking, which can make things confusing, that's much less of a problem on a screen.

@SDlgo9 said:
" @Oli said:
"i do not like one of them, yes not even the spacetrain! Thats because i would have to build such large sets on a screen! Horrorible! Give me physical instructions and i will buy a Bricklink set because designwise they are quite good most the time. I can realy not understand how people putting a 4000piece legoset together watching on a screen! You people need serious help!"

On a phone screen, definitely, but on a desktop at 1600x900 resolution it's fine. I've built a lot of models from things like idea book 241 from digital scans."

I do build vintage sets from a pdf or scan as well if i dont own the instructions for the set. BUT if i buy a brand new set i just wont use a screen, especialy if the set contains way more yet smaller pieces then in the past! A shame that most instructions are as thick as they are nowadays but this makes the screen experience even worse to me, constant swiping the pages tapping on a screen.. Just freaks me out!

I hope we can all agree that having personal preferences for what medium you like the instructions to be in is perfectly fine and not a sign of malfunctioning brains, regardless which medium is preferred.

Finally in series 11 we're getting a space set, looking forward to it. Voted for it for series 11 and in previous series. Will be pre-ordering the Lunar Cargo Train along with the Royal Nest and possibly the Elven Citadel.

So far, series 11 is best. I think I will buy all of them...

@Murdoch17 said:
"Man, Castle fans are eating good with this one...

Also, the Ice Cream Parlor is ripe for a modular modification... too bad it's only 24 studs wide, so it will need an alley added on or become a corner building."

Or make it wider, which is what I'll probably do with it.

The Lunar Cargo Train is great . . . but is that really all the track that would be included?

I really like the Lunar Cargo Train because I'm a sucker for classic space, I just wish it had more track. The rest of the sets look nice, too. The Elven Citadel, in particular, is a nice variation on the castle theme that makes it feel fresh, as opposed to the other castle set. Unfortunately all of these will probably be outside my price range.

Wow... this time I'm saving money. More castles and space and a small modular...mehhh

Quite disappointed for several times in a row now, but that's ok as series 7 and 8 were really strong (and expensive).

I like the flexibile display options of Royal Nest, and the grace of Elven Citadel's design--but I'm not in the market for more castles. The Space Train doesn't appeal for reasons I can't pin down. Despite the tiny wheels, I do like Le Petit Bouquet, and the Village Parlour is charming. Depending on the prices, I might get one or both of the last two, or even the Royal Nest. Not a bad set of finalists, IMO.

Dumb Q (I know) but how does one obtain one of these sets ideally at launch so their not trying to get one at an elevated price in the after markets? I assumed these would be like others that TLG would choose X numbers form top produce but that does not appear to be the case so an FAQ page on how to get one of these sets would be most welcome.

thanks