BrickLink Designer Program changes coming in 2028
Posted by yellowcastle,
BrickLink has unveiled the next series of changes for its ongoing BrickLink Designer Program (BDP), beginning with the first 2028 submissions this Fall.
After an initial AFOL Designer Program back in 2018, BrickLink, in coordination with their new LEGO stewards, launched the BrickLink Designer Program in 2021.
Originally set as 3 rounds of crowd-funded competition between unselected Ideas sets from the 10k club, BDP recommenced in early 2024 with multiple annual curated submissions from fan designers, constrained by a limited palette and strict submission guidelines.
One constant throughout the program has been change itself, with max quantities going from 5,000 to 10,000 to 30,000 to 30,000+, and Rounds changing to Series and now Waves. Additionally, with so many early repeat selectees, the Program also recently instituted new rules restricting designers to one selection per year.
The other constant has been castles, castles, and more castles.
Are these changes what we wanted, needed? Let us know what you think in the comments.
See announcement details below and here.
New BrickLink Designer Program Look
Where builders click!
The BrickLink Designer Program gets a refreshed look!
Here’s everything you need to know
As the BrickLink Designer Program has grown, keeping track of launch stages across series has become more challenging. We’ve been thinking for a while about how best to help make it clearer and have now decided that, from 2028 production year, we’ll be naming our series and stages a little differently.
From 2028, we’ll describe releases as ‘waves’
We'll describe the release cycles as 'waves' instead of 'series.' For example, when this change is introduced at the start of the 2028 production year, what would have previously been called ‘Series 12’ will now be called ‘2028 Wave 1.’
- The year will show when sets will be shipped to make it easier for everyone to tell shipping timelines at a glance
- After Series 11, release cycles will be called 'Wave' instead of 'Series'
- Each year will have a maximum of three waves
We won’t be changing anything that’s already been released. So, we’ll still use the ‘series’ naming system when we’re talking about Series 9, 10 and 11.
Refreshed Icon
We’ll also be refreshing the BrickLink Designer Program icon. It will still be bright light orange, but the updated icon will be more scalable so it works better at different sizes. The icon will follow a simple 1x1 LEGO tile design so that they stay true to the overall BrickLink brand designs.
You’ll see the new icon and naming appearing on box art in the 2028 production year. Here’s a sneak peek of what it will look like!
The new packaging design will help everyone to tell when a wave will launch. We plan to use different accent colors, showing Wave 1 in purple, Wave 2 in green, and Wave 3 in red. We hope you’ll enjoy our new, more colorful packaging and easier to follow naming system on the BrickLink Designer Program releases for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tell me why 'Waves' was chosen as the word to describe future releases?
Our team came up with a few different ideas that we like. We chose this version because 'Waves' does the best job in making things clear and consistent.
What color will future boxes be?
The new packaging will be largely blue to reflect our main BrickLink brand color. From the 2028 production year, each box will also have an accent color to clearly display which wave it belongs to. Wave 1 sets will have a purple accent color, Wave 2 sets will have a green accent color, and Wave 3 sets will have a red accent color.
Will naming be updated for Series 9, 10, and 11?
No, sets that have already been released will keep their previous Series names. We'll still describe past releases in terms of Series 9, 10, and 11.
Are there plans to end the BrickLink Designer Program?
No, the BrickLink Designer Program continues to grow and we're refreshing the naming conventions to make things clearer for future releases.
Are you planning any further changes to the BrickLink Designer Program?
No, these changes will be visible on packaging from the 2028 production year and there aren't any further changes planned.
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55 comments on this article
Whereas Lego is focusing more and more on display sets and Licensed themes and thus decreasing my Lego purchases; the Bricklink programs have been offering better options to fill the gap.
I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!
These changes are fine - the don’t substantially alter the program, and the program seems to have been working well, judging by how well the sets have been selling.
The "waves" rebranding is actually a good idea, I was getting confused with all the different series and different designer program things
That's...that's it? Just a refresh to the box design, and moving away from using the word "Series" like authentic LEGO sets and using "Waves" instead? And they made a whole announcement for this? I mean, I guess tacking the year on to the series/wave number makes sense, since it takes forever and a day for them to actually ship, once you order, but otherwise this is the sort of thing that usually just happens without anyone having to explain it.
Umm... "This meeting could have been an email."
Who cares about the box color, just give me paper instructions please.
It’s all fine, just “ Where builders click!” is a bit cheesy slogan :-)
Take the money you're spending on rebranding and put it toward instruction books.
What would it take to revive my interest in BLDP?
A dedicated team of necromancers, working around the clock.
A series of semi-official sets designed by fans and made available to fans...
Some of the fans: not happy
Some of the other fans: this is cool
Yep
@Rare_White_Ape said:
" A series of semi-official sets designed by fans and made available to fans...
Some of the fans: not happy
Some of the other fans: this is cool
Yep"
Well, Lego fandom isn’t a hivemind. One expects a diversity of opinion.
As long as there are no printed instructions (there used to be in the beginning), they won't see a single sale to this household.
I don't give a smeg about the naming (which has been changed several times over the years already anyway) or the colour of the boxes (that due to their crappy quality these days go straight in the bin anyway).
Last weekend built my first BDP set, 910063: W.A.L.T., and very much enjoyed that! Great little set!
The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions. So no big deal anymore.
As for these changes, no big deal either. I think the one selection per year is a good one, to create more variety. And personally, I would have liked if there would be price brackets for each round, so more smaller sets, and less €300+ castles....
@WizardOfOss said:
"Last weekend built my first BDP set, 910063 : W.A.L.T., and very much enjoyed that! Great little set!
The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions. So no big deal anymore.
As for these changes, no big deal either. I think the one selection per year is a good one, to create more variety. And personally, I would have liked if there would be price brackets for each round, so more smaller sets, and less €300+ castles...."
This right here! I personally am sick of seeing castle after castle after castle oh and Pirates! I would love to see so much more unique talent from the fanbase. It's there it just barely gets seen or picked as it gets overshadowed by castles
@sjr60 said:
"I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!"
They’re not ‘legitimate sets’ regardless. They’re SECs (Someone Else’s Creation), essentially MOCs. Conveniently packaged and well designed SECs, but SECs nonetheless. They’re not subject to LEGO’s design expertise which is partly what I’m paying for when I get a genuine LEGO set. TheJANG has described them as ‘MOCs’ and I have to agree.
@WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)
@sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
I'm personally glad that there are no printed instructions. If removing printed instructions from on-shelf LEGO sets reduced the price even slightly, I'd prefer that too.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
"
I've got cupboards full of concert programmes.
I'm just a documentation junkie!
Maybe slow down on the castles for a while. There can be something as too much of a good thing.
@shea42 said:
"I'm personally glad that there are no printed instructions. If removing printed instructions from on-shelf LEGO sets reduced the price even slightly, I'd prefer that too."
Unfortunately it doesn't appear to reduce the prices at all. The only argument could be made that it might be better for the environment.
Then again there's also the counterargument that for PDFs you need electronic devices and those consume electricity, plus the instructions must be hosted on servers worldwide, again consuming electricity and incurring more costs, for maintenance, backups, etc. Whereas a printed instruction, once made, can be reused over and over.
I personally would never use PDF instructions if an alternative existed. The only exception used to be BlueBrixx, where the price was clearly much cheaper due to not providing paper instructions (and only for their Specials line anyway), but even there I hated the experience.
When I build sets I explicitly want to get away from electronic devices, not be forced to use them as part of the experience.
For me that's the main reason, not some "collection is incomplete otherwise" feeling.
If anything, I would very much appreciate more concise instructions, not as dumbed down. That would also save costs and be better for the environment due to savings in paper.
Compare for example instructions today with those from just fifteen years ago. You don't have to compare the extremely concise instructions of the Eighties or Nineties, just go back to say 2010 and compare.
The world of job creation: broadcast and legitimise re-branding to ‘stay fresh’ or… another way to justify certain roles or even entire departments.
Some employees in companies have convinced themselves that customers are keen to hear about their trivial changes even if it confuses things and costs the company more but its a culture- corporation seems to largely love this crumble.
‘Any fool can over-complicate matters. It takes a genius to make things simple.’
Let me guess. Brickl_ink is now under new management so they had to revamp the whole program (and branding) again to show some initiative, same as changing from ADP to BDP 2021 Invitational to BDP Series 1-11 to now calling them "waves". As if we aren't having enough heat and storm waves already in our lives... In the end it will only make people more confused and ruin consistency for collectors. Then again, nobody is dumb enough to buy them all anyway.
And I bet, that there will be more rule changes coming soon after the yearly trend of "updates". Maybe they will increase the max. part count, reduce the nr. of minifigures, increase prices etc. to maximize profits even more, since this program has been running so well.
Meanwhile I see more and more well known BL stores closing shop because TLG has made it impossible to keep profitable with all the policy changes and country exclusions.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
"
Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)
@Hiratha said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
"
Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)"
Yeah, I've been to over 100 concerts (and 6 more coming up....), mostly rock, varying from tiny venues to huge stadiums, but never got a paper program.
And only once been to a classical concert...but considering that was in Pyongyang I'm not surprised we didn't get one there either.
@Hiratha said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
"
Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)"
Used to be almost every rock/pop concert too but I suppose mobiles have killed that demand. Always used to be a very strict ban on photography, with cameras being immediately confiscated. Now it's just a sea of phones!
@Zander said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!"
They’re not ‘legitimate sets’ regardless. They’re SECs (Someone Else’s Creation), essentially MOCs. Conveniently packaged and well designed SECs, but SECs nonetheless. They’re not subject to LEGO’s design expertise which is partly what I’m paying for when I get a genuine LEGO set. TheJANG has described them as ‘MOCs’ and I have to agree.
"
And there’s always a bit of a stigma around paying for SECs isn’t there?
@sjr60 said:
" @Hiratha said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @sjr60 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"The lack of printed instructions were one thing that kept me from getting sets before, but a while ago used a PDF to turn the Mattel LHD Acura NSX into a RHD Honda NSX.....and never returned to paper instructions."
I normally build sets using PDF instructions but I still want the printed instructions, even if they're pristine in a sealed envelope. In the same way, a second hand eBay set doesn't feel complete without an instruction booklet even though it's not strictly necessary. (I also feel a bit cheated if I've been to a concert and there hasn't been a program available!)"
From a collectors p.o.v. I can understand that, but isn't that more about the set being complete? So if a set didn't have paper instructions to begin with....
As for concerts......a program? I guess I just go to the wrong kind of concerts :-)
"
Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)"
Used to be almost every rock/pop concert too but I suppose mobiles have killed that demand. Always used to be a very strict ban on photography, with cameras being immediately confiscated. Now it's just a sea of phones!
"
Well, cameras are still being banned...
Regarding programs, I was able to buy one when on Leonard Cohen's concert. I remember it being expensive but also big and well made. I like having such a souvenir :)
I also like having paper instructions. Not being forced to use screen is the reason I build. This is my "escape the screen" time.
The main change I want to see is less of a focus on really big, expensive sets. I go through the same thing almost every wave, where I think the designs look cool but don't get any because I just don't have 200-300 Euros to drop on something right now. I get that fan designs are always going to skew bigger and more elaborate, but I'd really like to see some more in the sub-100 Euro range.
Nothing different, compared to say removing the need to create instructions that in 99.99% of cases will go no-where, and in the 0.01% case they could ask you to create them as a condition of progressing to production.
@Brickalili said:
" @Zander said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!"
They’re not ‘legitimate sets’ regardless. They’re SECs (Someone Else’s Creation), essentially MOCs. Conveniently packaged and well designed SECs, but SECs nonetheless. They’re not subject to LEGO’s design expertise which is partly what I’m paying for when I get a genuine LEGO set. TheJANG has described them as ‘MOCs’ and I have to agree.
"
And there’s always a bit of a stigma around paying for SECs isn’t there?"
?!? Lots of people either get free or buy SECs from Rebrickable all the time.
I like the change as I think waves makes more sense than series, and I could not care less if there are printed instructions or not.
@Hiratha said:
"Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)"
In college, we had complimentary printed programs when traveling dance troupes came through town, so it’s not that it can’t be managed. I suspect it has more to do with the nature of the musical acts in question.
Limiting designers to one set a year is a good move
I'd like if they limited the waves to 3 a year. Easier on the wallet.
Very cool, now can we stop making regular LEGO be nothing but licensed themes?
@daewoo said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Zander said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!"
They’re not ‘legitimate sets’ regardless. They’re SECs (Someone Else’s Creation), essentially MOCs. Conveniently packaged and well designed SECs, but SECs nonetheless. They’re not subject to LEGO’s design expertise which is partly what I’m paying for when I get a genuine LEGO set. TheJANG has described them as ‘MOCs’ and I have to agree.
"
And there’s always a bit of a stigma around paying for SECs isn’t there?"
?!? Lots of people either get free or buy SECs from Rebrickable all the time.
I like the change as I think waves makes more sense than series, and I could not care less if there are printed instructions or not."
Think my wordplay might have slipped under your radar. Hint: don’t read it as an acronym
I wonder if the change to Waves was primarily done to help set clear boundaries for repeat designers. It can certainly get confusing as Series 12 would have begun in late 2026, crowd funded in late 2027, and then shipped in early 2028. That being said, 2028W1, 2029W1, etc., is a bit messy for my tastes.
Based on the seemingly evergreen criticisms of this program, perhaps it's time for a CapnRex-esque introspection article such as "How to Fix BDP" and the likelihoods of each recommendation coming to fruition?
@PurpleDave said:
" @Hiratha said:
"Classical and jazz concerts almost always have them. :) (IMO pop/rock/etc should too, because they’re nice and also I think backing musicians and crew etc deserve more credit, but I do understand that margins are tight and the information demands are a little different.)"
In college, we had complimentary printed programs when traveling dance troupes came through town, so it’s not that it can’t be managed. I suspect it has more to do with the nature of the musical acts in question."
I put on five concerts a year. we always have a printed program and a sign with a QR to a digital version if someone didn't want a printed version. I've noticed that this is Lego's trend as well. Even the Mario sets come with printed instructions now.
Printed instructions will totally change this for me. After building a couple with my tablet, it was so much less fun that I stopped buying these.
Unnecessary tinkering and re-branding to make things unnecessarily complicated in retrospect. Nothing new here then :o) It's what TLG does best. Look at how many themes the modulars have fallen under.
They may change what they like, if there isnt a physical instruction included with a BDP set, im aint buyin!
Regarding the discussion around printed instructions. There are so many ways too look at it, all valid, reasonable arguments for or against. Personally I think I have settled on a compromise.
First let me say that despite being interested in a few, I have never bought a BDP set, primarily because of their prices. At least in my area, they have never seemed worth it for what you get. And I mean that in terms of the actual plastic pieces. Adding printed instructions surely would have made them even more expensive.
But I can see the appeal of being able to sit somewhere away from screens and do something "real" for a change. I have had jobs where screen time is all you do, so I appreciate that argument. Lego is great that way.
And I don't throw away printed instructions. But after just a couple of hundred sets (which isn't many for most people around here) they already start to take up a lot of space at home, don't they? I surround myself with Lego because it makes me feel better. The instructions themselves doesn't help with that so I just put them away when done. I save them, but I honestly don't really know why. I find myself having new interesting sets all the time, having to take something else apart to make room for them, rather than rebuilding previous sets.
And here's the thing. I use the printed instructions for smaller sets. But for the larger sets, with a physically larger printed manual, I just get the pdf from Lego and put it up on my desktop screen. I don't have the luxury of a 100% dedicated Lego space, so I usually build on the same desk where my PC is anyway. Large instruction books simply eat up too much of the available build area to be comfortable. Pdf's works fine, and doesn't detract from the physical build experience for me. It's the exact same thing, just shown on a screen instead of a piece of paper. I wouldn't use the app instructions, or a hand-held small screen, that would put too much attention on the device rather than the build. But just having a digital copy that looks and functions the same as the printed version, is just fine for me.
But how about when I want to build somewhere away from my computer desk? Well, if I do, it's a small set. I wouldn't want to build something big and cumbersome away from home base so to speak.
So in short. I have no use for large printed instructions, but appreciate small ones in small sets. Small instruction booklets should cost less than large ones to produce and ship too, so wouldn't add too much to the cost of those sets either.
The question then is, where exactly is the threshold? How large can an instruction booklet be before it's too large? And how many BDP sets are small enough to fit on those small pages?
Perhaps a unique user case. But isn't that where most people form the base of their personal opinion?
@CinnamonRobin said:
"The main change I want to see is less of a focus on really big, expensive sets. I go through the same thing almost every wave, where I think the designs look cool but don't get any because I just don't have 200-300 Euros to drop on something right now. I get that fan designs are always going to skew bigger and more elaborate, but I'd really like to see some more in the sub-100 Euro range."
I'm with you, the same happens to me: new series announced, have a look at the designs, "Yeah, cool designs but oh sooo expensive! Thanks, I'll pass".
SO tldr they renamed some things but tis the same overall. a good annoucnement would be physical isntructions as its nanoyign having to use the tablet to build these
If they're not going to bother with instructions, at least give a points QR code on the box or the leaflet that holds it for the digital instructions as you get with every other set.
I don't mind the digital instructions too much, although it is annoying when you accidentally break one of the sets and have to get a phone or a pc out to repair it, as I did when I knocked the 910044 engine to the floor and it fell apart while moving one of my modulars.
I prefer the 3D instructions on the app, which 910044 had, but the last series just had the digital book, which is not very good on a phone, you need a pc or tablet for that, although I haven't got a tablet, so I've no idea if it works as well as a pc regarding instructions. If it does I might investigate getting one, but at the moment I don't see the point.
I don't think the digital book is as good as the 3D when it comes to bricklink, because a lot of the time, the 3D rotation is really useful in providing a view of how some parts of the build look and fit from some angles which is not always clear in the digital book.
@560heliport said:
"Umm... "This meeting could have been an email.""
But then how could the overpaid, over-educated, sit-in-meetings-all-day types justify their jobs?
@Brickalili said:
" @daewoo said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Zander said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I couldn't care less about box colours or calling them waves. I just want printed instructions to make them legitimate sets!"
They’re not ‘legitimate sets’ regardless. They’re SECs (Someone Else’s Creation), essentially MOCs. Conveniently packaged and well designed SECs, but SECs nonetheless. They’re not subject to LEGO’s design expertise which is partly what I’m paying for when I get a genuine LEGO set. TheJANG has described them as ‘MOCs’ and I have to agree.
"
And there’s always a bit of a stigma around paying for SECs isn’t there?"
?!? Lots of people either get free or buy SECs from Rebrickable all the time.
I like the change as I think waves makes more sense than series, and I could not care less if there are printed instructions or not."
Think my wordplay might have slipped under your radar. Hint: don’t read it as an acronym"
I'm SECsy and I know it! :~P
Seriously though, to @daewoo's point, I don't object to the idea of paying for someone's effort, experience and talent whether that's an amateur's on Rebrickable or BDP, or a professional's at LEGO. The issue is lumping those altogether as if they were the same, and attaching the same value and expectations to them.
I am also in the “too poor for most BLDP price points to appeal” category, but I’ve seen the sales figures and it seems like the more expensive ones mostly sell better so I’d be hard-pressed to argue that people like me are making a good case for the set choices to cater to us more.
Although to be honest most of the designs don’t appeal to me much. I’m generally of the opinion that Ideas kits are much improved by going through the Lego Design Process and the lack of it in BLDP does not spark joy.
@daniellesa said:
"I prefer the 3D instructions on the app, which 910044 had, but the last series just had the digital book, which is not very good on a phone, you need a pc or tablet for that, although I haven't got a tablet, so I've no idea if it works as well as a pc regarding instructions. If it does I might investigate getting one, but at the moment I don't see the point. "
I personally prefer a tablet to the PC, but mainly because I find it lighter to move around and I like using the touch screen to zoom in on different parts of the instructions to pick out the different colors and bricks.
I can see the argument for both printed vs digital, I generally use printed for a new set and digital for a rebuild... but that's mostly because I'm too lazy to go and sort through all my instructions to find the one I'm looking for, it's faster to download the pdf!
@shea42 said:
"I'm personally glad that there are no printed instructions. If removing printed instructions from on-shelf LEGO sets reduced the price even slightly, I'd prefer that too."
spoiler alert : if they remove the paper instructions the price will remain the same :)
The limiting repeat designers is good - but also it would be good to see more variety - perhaps limiting to 2 or 3 of a type (e.g. building) per wave, and also requiring there to be a "budget" option which tbh there has been in the last few sets.... Perhaps ensuring one set is less < £60 and another is less than £120 or something like that.
Just a reminder that EVERY SINGLE LEGO SET is a SEC, the LEGO Group itself doesn't create designs...
I've truly stopped using paper instructions in most cases and use my tablet (an old one, not an iPad) to build every set I've been buying, but I get the point of having something printed (oh, how we miss printed instructions or inserts in games and movies).
@daniellesa said:
"If they're not going to bother with instructions, at least give a points QR code on the box or the leaflet that holds it for the digital instructions as you get with every other set.
I don't mind the digital instructions too much, although it is annoying when you accidentally break one of the sets and have to get a phone or a pc out to repair it, as I did when I knocked the 910044 engine to the floor and it fell apart while moving one of my modulars.
I prefer the 3D instructions on the app, which 910044 had, but the last series just had the digital book, which is not very good on a phone, you need a pc or tablet for that, although I haven't got a tablet, so I've no idea if it works as well as a pc regarding instructions. If it does I might investigate getting one, but at the moment I don't see the point.
I don't think the digital book is as good as the 3D when it comes to bricklink, because a lot of the time, the 3D rotation is really useful in providing a view of how some parts of the build look and fit from some angles which is not always clear in the digital book. "
I found the 3D instructions pretty helpful for Brick Cross Station but then was disappointed to only get a PDF option when building Sequoia Tree Trail, a set with so much organic "clutter" that identifying the correct connection points started to become frustrating.
People who complain what models win BDP don't get it. It's the votes of everyone who matter the most. So if thats Castle, Pirates etc. then so be it. LEGO is heads deep into licenced themes so I'm more than happy what comes out of BDP.
@VoidSeeker said:
"People who complain what models win BDP don't get it. It's the votes of everyone who matter the most. So if thats Castle, Pirates etc. then so be it. LEGO is heads deep into licenced themes so I'm more than happy what comes out of BDP."
I do think a bit more transparency on the voting would help. Same way that for example the Kiosk or the Cabbage patch probably didn't get the most votes, but did get most votes in a set under a certain piece count.
The fact you can vote for all through three smiley's isn't really the best system to me. For example it would make more sense if you could just award 5 sets with points 5-4-3-2-1. Also, I never understood why you'd downvote a set..., is this then cancelling an upvote?