Ideas Showcase - Ideas Test Lab
Posted by FlagsNZ,
Last week LEGO announced LEGO Ideas Test Lab. This is a new and updated version of LEGO Ideas which is being run in an experimental way until April.
People who sign up to the Test Lab are asked to undertake several activities; one such activity is to build a duck out of random LEGO elements. People who complete activities earn bricks; the more bricks you earn, the more you can spend supporting submissions in the Brick Vote phase of the challenge.
The Ideas Test Lab is completely separate to LEGO Ideas, so I have also selected seven Ideas projects to showcase this month.
Read on as I describe my impressions of the LEGO Test Lab and see the seven LEGO Ideas projects that I have selected.
Ideas Test Lab
It is early days for the Ideas Test Lab, but this looks like it will be a popular platform. Starting February 1st, people are asked to submit a new design to one of four new LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets. This will be an interesting challenge as there will be a finite selection of pieces that all submissions will be competing with.
This task is also very similar to one of the challenges that aspiring LEGO designers must undertake as part of their recruitment process.
In a blog post Tim Courtney, LEGO moderator, comments that not all the new parts found in the Creator sets are in the LDD parts database. You will be allowed to build your digital models without the missing parts, or use a third-party virtual building program (such as LDraw/MLCad, BrickSmith for Mac users, or the browser-based Mecabricks). LEGO is careful to state that these links to third-party sites aren’t endorsements and linking to them comes without liability and without warranty.
You can also build your model using real bricks from the sets.
Prior to 1 February, there are a few activities that will earn you Bricks, Let's build a duck, and Think outside the box where you tell LEGO five of your most creative uses of a box and a story about how you used one box creatively.
I am reminded of the significance of ducks in the history and culture of the LEGO Group.
Head over to LEGO Ideas Test Lab if you want to sign up to this new system. Read the How it works page.
Totally Modular - The Container House
By Anscott2
This is the second project from Anscott2 that I have promoted on Ideas Showcase: he is the designer of Lifeboat station.
40 foot containers have been used as builds for a number of years. Six years ago there was a devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand and an entire shopping mall was created using shipping containers.
This will also appeal to LEGO train enthusiasts who may use the containers on their train rolling stock.
This project needs about 200 supporters to get to the 1K milestone.
Pingu
By LegoJalex
Penguins live in the southern hemisphere. Pingu, the cheeky penguin gets into all sorts of bother on his ice floe.
Pingu was one of my son's favourite TV shows.
This is a resubmission of the Pingu project, but let's see whether it can get more support the second time around.
UCS Christmas Sleigh and 2 Reindeers
By eugenetan34
This is eugenetan34's first project.
I can see this project appealing to wide variety of LEGO fans. The Christmas sleigh and reindeers would look great as a seasonal Christmas decoration.
This project has about 500 supporters. It would be good to see it reach 1K soon.
Red Arrows Hawk
By M4 CUS
M4 CUS joined LEGO Ideas only a week ago and this is his first project.
The model is a really good match for the Hawk T1A aircraft with the new colour 2015 scheme.
I believe one of the strengths of this project will be that Red Arrow enthusiasts will purchase several sets so that they can make a formation.
Hopefully, it won't be seen as being too similar with the 2015 Creator set 31039 Blue Power Jet.
This project has solid support and I am confident that it will reach the 5K milestone soon.
The Lighthouse
By RobenAnne
RobenAnne's sets use a variety of colours and a range of building techniques. The attraction of these models is that they can easily be modified to suit a specific diorama role.
I believe that AFOL's will purchase several sets for the range of parts.
RobenAnne has The Old Fishing Store approved and The Boat Repair Shop in review. These projects form quite a sea-scape.
Let's see whether there is enough support to get a one more of RobenAnne's projects to 10K.
LEGO Star Wars Architecture Skyline
This is an interesting variation of the Architecture skyline range of sets.
While I do not to profess to be a Star Wars expert, even I can see that this is a Star Wars 'skyline' display model.
I believe that Ideas projects from licenced themes such as Star Wars will always have difficulty getting approved. This project is different in that there is no such similar model in the range.
This project has just over 500 supporters with just over a year to the 1K milestone.
Pfirsichbraut has two projects with Ideas; her other project is Munich Skyline.
Fokker Dr.1
By Eric Dupont
Eric Dupont has three WWI airplane projects with LEGO Ideas. I was initially drawn to Eric Dupont's Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a, but felt that this was too close with the 2012 advanced Creator set 10226 Sopwith Camel.
The Fokker Dr.1 airplane would complement the Sopwith Camel, and who can forget the Snoopy Christmas song!
The Fokker Dr.1 project has only 120 days to gain 4000 more supporters in order to reach the 5K milestone.
So there you have it. Seven Ideas projects to consider. Please feel free to comment on these or add a link to your own favourites.
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18 comments on this article
I'm finding the Test Lab "experience" to be a bit of a mixed bag. The interface needs a bit of work, but if we assume the development team is the same as the one doing other TLG websites then I expect the irritations and glitches to be an ongoing issue.
As for the content, I'm reasonably optimistic. I like the idea of having "Activities" that encourage creativity and a certain sense of community. It'll be interesting to see how that aspect develops.
On the whole, I'd say I'm 60/40 in favour... so far!
EDIT : Re. The Ideas projects above, that Red Arrow plane is a lovely looking build. I have fond memories of watching their displays over the years! I can also see the UCS Sleigh & Reindeer being a big seller if LEGO pick it up as one of their seasonal sets.
^ re Test Lab. I agree with your cautious optimism
The Pingu project is delightful! When my daughters were young I think we must have worn out the VHS tape, they watched it so much.
I love the Pingu set! How cute is that?
I've nearly bought several sets now just to get container walls, so a set full of containers would be welcome.
The Fokker has already been done as a set: 10024 'Red Baron' in 2002 which went well with the first edition of the Sopwith Camel, set 3451 from 2001.
So great projects, I didn't know that of the task Lego developers had to undertake.
It did occur to me that it felt like the test lab is something that you would use to select potential designers. I wonder if there's a grand plan behind the scheme?
Really liking RobenAnne's sea-scape Ideas. Be curious to see what direction LEGO goes in with the sets (avoiding repeats vs. creating a collection). I am very anxious to see the official LEGO rendition of the Fishing Store.
Has anyone else noticed that the last four Staff Picks have been architecture skyline type sets? Seems strange...
Can't wait for the Fishing Store, and that Lighthouse is even more amazing imo. I'd love to have a whole sea-side community full of RobenAnne's awe inspiring creations. Of course I'd also love to hit the lottery to be able to afford them all :)
I was so in awe of the Lighthouse that I forgot to mention how awesome the Container House was! Hopefully both of those sets make it to production, and just in case I'll start saving now.
The Container House is just an amazing idea, and the implimentation is beautiful. All these great submissions, just make me want to step up my game. I just posted my first submission to Ideas last week and would love any feedback, I built a modular Batman Ace Chemicals. https://ideas.lego.com/projects/165520
I personally like the light house and container house
@justmrmartin. I love your build. I think you make excellent use of parts. I definitely think this is possible, just be wary about licensed products, because Lego is wary on doing that
Awesome new ideas, love the star wars skyline set!
Please check out my first project if you want!
https://ideas.lego.com/projects/165637
Surely M4CUS should make a plane from the Baby Blue - the Danish Air Force team.
And Ideas Lab, meh. Horrible. Give me real bricks any day!
I disagree with the Fokker DK 1 but then again there have been many Ideas sets that are remakes of older LEGO sets like the mars rover and the upcoming mercury rocket...do people not remember the Discover Channel sets...
@horde prime FYI the Ideas Curiosity rover is not a remake - the Discovery models were of Sprit and Opportunity.
Just a little update to another project you previously mentioned here - https://ideas.lego.com/projects/96810
Sega Arcade Machines are getting so close to the goal with just over a month left. The creator has also added a Hang On machine to the line up also. Really hoping it makes it.
Out of the bunch presented here I am LOVING that Red Arrows set. I've always had a love for cockpits that can hold more than one minifig. And that overall shape is superb.