Review: 41711 Emma's Art School
Posted by MeganL,
All five Friends have a school-type set assigned to them this year in exotic locations. Earlier we looked at 41717 Mia's Wildlife Rescue, located in the African savanna.
One of the other sets that drew a lot of attention, simply because the model looks stunning, is 41711 Emma's Art School. Apparently Emma has travelled to Paris, which helps explain the beautiful building.
Summary
41711 Emma's Art School, 844 pieces.
£59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 | 7.1p/8.3c/8.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A beautiful looking set with lots of play value at a great price
- Fantastic display model
- Continued minidoll diversity
- Nicely detailed interiors
- None!
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are seven numbered bags, an instruction book and a moderately sized sticker sheet. I'm generally filled with dread when I see the larger stickers, just because they present a bigger challenge to apply.
Minidolls
The Friends drive towards diversity rolls on with these minidolls, which is always a welcome sight. Emma is the main Friend in this set (understandably) and has on a new outfit with a dungaree top with mismatched coloured straps and brightly coloured pockets which is new to this set. Felix is a new character to Friends - at least in human form - Felix is also the name of MIa's cat in an earlier set. The lilac colour of his hoodies works very well with his skin tone. Finally, we have Professor Béatrice, who looks every inch the art professor with her bright orange outfit and chunky turquoise necklace.
There's some nice backprinting on the minidolls, especially the Professor's with the detailed back of the shirt and necklace. I have to admit that I was thrilled to see the Professor wearing glasses. That would have meant a lot to the 8-year-old me - it's difficult to find role models of successful women who wear glasses, and I love that the designer has included it here.
Like with the other school sets, Emma is talking to one of the other Friends on her tablet. In this case, she's talking with Stephanie, who looks like she's out on the waves in 41716 Stephanie's Sailing Adventure.
The completed model
It wouldn't be a Friends sets without some auxiliary builds, though in this case they're relatively minimal. We have two easels with works in progress - apparently Professor Béatrice is quite a fan of bridges - and a bicycle. It makes sense that the best way to get around Paris to check out views would be on a bike. But where would art supplies go on the bike?
The bottom floor has an entryway, which seems to be de rigeur for Friends schools. Off to one side there's sink and two lockers.
On the other side of the entryway is a small kitchenette with a coffee machine, and of course, a snack for the Friends. Creating art has to be hungry work.
The Friends aren't the only ones interested in the snack.
(Note: sloth not included in this set)
There's no discernible way of accessing the next floor, but the second level is where things really start happening. There's a sewing station, with some nice parts usage for the sewing machine, a measuring tape and rolls of fabric with which to create. The mannequin stands close by in a bay window, ready to be draped with the latest haute couture.
The Friends aren't the only ones interested in haute couture, either.
(Note: sloth is not included in this set)
On the other side of the floor is a potter's wheel, with a nice little moving function. I like that the Friends designers always take the opportunity to add in moving functions into their sets.
Up we go to the top floor, with again no discernible way of getting there. This must be the high tech floor! On one side there's a 3-D printing station, which is fashioning a nanofig. It's unclear whether the flowers featured in the bay window are a product of the printing station.
The opposite side of the top floor is a photo studio area with an appropriately artsy backdrop. There's a monopod for the camera, an extra lens nearby, and an impressive light.
The artsy visitors found this floor, too.
(Note: sloth is not included in this set.)
The highest level is some lovely architectural detail in sand green that features several pieces that are new in this colour. The seventh and final bag of the build is entirely dedicated ot it; which is quite reminiscent of a modular building. I love the choice of colour which really sets off the rest of the building.
Put all together, the art school really has a lot going on!
The designer has wasted no opportunities in adding artistic touches to the building. A dreaded larger sticker provides a mural on one side of the building.....
.....and there are two brick built murals on the other side. There's a lovely tree here as well, in the midst of changing colours. The orange and yellow branches and leaves add a great pop of colour to the set. In addition to the murals, of course!
Finally, the entrance is pretty fantastic. I love the brick built pencil and paintbrush on top of the sign (which is a sticker). There's some other great stickers and tiled details near the windows, though for me, the highlight here are those dark green minifigure hair pieces, new to this set, being used as bushes.
Overall thoughts
This is a lovely set! The architecture is beautiful, and I love the detail that's been included in both the interior and exterior of the set. Friends buildings sets this year have felt very similar to modular buildings, and I think it's great that the sets are including that level of detail.
The Friends mission of diversity carries on, and I think Professor Béatrice is terrific! While the Friends have travelled as a group before, I believe this is the first subtheme that has featured each Friend doing their own thing. It's a great way to incorporate all those diverse new characters and explore new venues, such as Emma visiting Paris in this set. Adding the detail of having each Friend talk to another in their sets - such as Emma talking to Stephanie here - is a really nice way to tie things together.
Those who bemoan Friends sets for having too much pink will again be disappointed, there's not much pink here. As a result, this building would fit right in any City layout, though the roof and deeper sides would likely have to be added. There's also a nice parts selection in this set with several pieces in new colours, a parts list can be found here. The price is good, too; $69.99 for 844 parts is another plus.
This set would be great with both Friends fans and other looking to build out their city scene.
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46 comments on this article
This looks to be a terrific set and a good value! Agreed that Beatrice looks great with her glasses (and I like the hair piece and color as well). Thanks for the excellent review!
LOVE this set. As a former art student I adore all the details, and the architecture is gorgeous.
The pottery studio (with its spinning pottery wheel and shelves for drying) is amazing, possibly my favorite part. If there was a little more room I wish there was a kiln there, but there's very little wasted space in this set.
As a side note, I really like the use of the "Super Mario" 4x4x2/3 tile with curved edges for signage in some of these new sets. It's got such a great form factor for that.
Beautiful set! And pretty easily placed into a City lineup as well, since the building is basically normal with a handful of colorful accents.
Friends is a line that doesn’t get enough respect or acknowledgment. It’s been running a REALLY long time at this point, which must mean it’s successful enough. Apart from Ninjago, it’s definitely one of Lego’s best performing original IPs.
I love the brick built pencil and brush, both superb. And for those of you in the UK, the Art School sign reminds me of the old "Art Attack" logo off the tele'. :-)
The designers of this year's Friends sets have really knocked it out of the park. This set would absolutely fit right in with a "regular" City layout.
This and the theatre sets are some of the best looking and designed sets in any range this year, I think. The detail on the roof section for this in particular is better than some of the modulars, as mentioned in the review.
As mentioned already, the "Big Art Attack" pencil and paintbrush on the entrance is a great touch with so few parts.
Lining up the Dots in the murals on the side of the building takes a bit of time though!
Even if someone has no interest in the Friends line, this makes a really excellent parts pack.
Are the bushes made from green clown wigs? Brilliant.
Hmm. That's a very clever little potter's wheel. The price is great compared to other Lego sets these days, I think this could also make for a decent parts pack.
The clown wig bushes are great. I like the orange hair piece too, does anyone know if it's a rubbery one or regular plastic?
I probably won't get this as I don't love it as much as the theatre (I hope a review is coming soon for that?). The architecture is great looking though and I agree it could fit in well in a city with the walls extended and a roof put on.
One surprising omission is a bathroom, for a large Friends building it's unusual to not put one in. I guess they went with lockers instead.
Friends is having a really good run recently, and this set is no exception! Very well designed for a play set yet also displays nicely, some pretty clever parts usage, decently priced, and for a set like this the stickers are forgivable. If the sloths were included this would be perfection....
Main door way seems wrong, with bottom edge one row in front of the top edge.
Otherwise looks like a cool set.
One of the best buildings they've ever made that isn't a D2C.
When the minidoll was introduced, the hip connection was considered unique. I'm surprised that now it's legal to put the torso on a bar.
@Papirbaba said:
"When the minidoll was introduced, the hip connection was considered unique. I'm surprised that now it's legal to put the torso on a bar."
The hip connection point is still unique, but the torso cavity is 3.18mm deep way and more than 3.18mm wide, so it’s never been an illegal connection.
The positioning of the clock on the façade is odd. It would be difficult to see from street level.
Rightly dwarfs the 60329-1 City school for the same price!
“Sloths not included” is the most ridiculous statement! Don’t show alternative ideas if they don’t exist in the set. If this is done by LEGO, it’s a very sad day for future sets and reading the *fine print. Nearly criminal putting these in a set that kids want. I actually have sloths and have not yet bought this set, but thinking about the kids’ disappointment.
A far better school than the Lego City School also currently for sale.
The really should have designed the paint splatters on the sign so that the one next to "ART" didn't look like an F. Neat sewing machine; it's always fun when they find new uses for the ice skate piece. I love the functional potter's wheel.
@Paperdaisy: It's hard plastic.
@beekuzz: Have you not read any of @MeganL's Friends reviews before? She loves sticking those sloths in there. It's all her doing and nothing to do with Lego.
It is a great set, but in no way flawless. Most obviously there should've been at least 2 of part 6345494 (mini paint palet) included...
PS 79.99 EUR in Estonia.
Great set! Friends is the best theme this year, hands-down!
@beekuzz said:
"“Sloths not included” is the most ridiculous statement! Don’t show alternative ideas if they don’t exist in the set. If this is done by LEGO, it’s a very sad day for future sets and reading the *fine print. Nearly criminal putting these in a set that kids want. I actually have sloths and have not yet bought this set, but thinking about the kids’ disappointment."
I do hope this is a sarcastic response…
That's a nice bike rack. I really like the bike rack. Wish there were better pictures of it. The rest of the set is pretty neat too.
@8lackmagic said:
"I love the brick built pencil and brush, both superb. And for those of you in the UK, the Art School sign reminds me of the old "Art Attack" logo off the tele'. :-)"
This is an Art Attack! This is an Art Attack! This is…Art Attack!
Great review, per usual!
Keep up the funny sloth pictures. Those who have previously read- even one review- understand.
Yet, I'm a bit confused about the 'pink' issue. I, like others, have steered away from a lot of the Friends sets because the dominant color scheme of pink-teal just doesn't fit with most of the other Lego aesthetic that I collect. However, I have grabbed some in the excellent winter/ski resort wave and modded them to reduce their difference.
Nevertheless, it doesn't mean I don't like pink. I just like things to look like they fit. I think girls (or whomever) have every right to have lots and lots of sets that fit their desires and dreams.
"Those who bemoan Friends sets for having too much pink will again be disappointed, there's not much pink here." Do you mean that trolls will be disappointed because they can't complain?
If Lego enthusiasts steer clear of such sets, we're (hopefully) not closed-minded. We just don't desire such sets. I'm sure some of us have definitely crossed into the 'bemoaning' (troll) range of comments. Myself, I try to avoid commenting on sets that are clearly not meant to appeal to my aesthetic sense unless I can provide some positive feedback.
I can understand that it must be frustrating to be subjected to such comments in every Friends review. However, please remember that there are fans of yours out here who may not fancy a set of predominantly pink-magenta-teal who nevertheless like to read your reviews.
This set is nice. I'm definitely getting the theater. Hopefully, we're not helping to ruin Friends for those who love the pink-teal.
@TheOtherMike said:
"The really should have designed the paint splatters on the sign so that the one next to "ART" didn't look like an F. Neat sewing machine; it's always fun when they find new uses for the ice skate piece. I love the functional potter's wheel.
@Paperdaisy: It's hard plastic.
@beekuzz: Have you not read any of @MeganL's Friends reviews before? She loves sticking those sloths in there. It's all her doing and nothing to do with Lego."
Fair enough. But it doesn't mean we all should enjoy it. I think it is a bit unprofessional in an otherwise great review.
@iwybs said:
"That's a nice bike rack. I really like the bike rack. Wish there were better pictures of it. The rest of the set is pretty neat too."
Hey, more people who appreciate a nice rack ;-)
This set is beautiful. It's gorgeous to look at, and has great play value. I love the detailed interiors.
@ineedabrick said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"The really should have designed the paint splatters on the sign so that the one next to "ART" didn't look like an F. Neat sewing machine; it's always fun when they find new uses for the ice skate piece. I love the functional potter's wheel.
@Paperdaisy: It's hard plastic.
@beekuzz: Have you not read any of @MeganL's Friends reviews before? She loves sticking those sloths in there. It's all her doing and nothing to do with Lego."
Fair enough. But it doesn't mean we all should enjoy it. I think it is a bit unprofessional in an otherwise great review.
"
I think it's not worth getting so uptight about "professionalism" in a toy review. It's meant to be informative, yes, but the people doing reviews like this are fellow fans and they all have different sorts of quirks, tastes, and senses of humor. It's fine to let them express themselves in that way—if they didn't, there'd be little to gain from reading multiple reviews of the same set.
And ultimately, it's not even "wrong" for a review to showcase how a set can interact with other sets or parts of your collection. Nobody would think twice about a modular building review showcasing how it can fit in with other buildings from the series, or having a comparison between collectible minifigures and past figures from compatible themes. So what's wrong with having a Friends review populate the set with other characters and animals from the theme? As long as it's clearly disclaimered that they aren't part of the set being reviewed (as MeganL's sloths always are), there's really nothing unprofessional about that.
Side note, I think a ‘con’ of this set would be the stickers. I know some people don’t mind them, but I get anxiety applying them even with the Windex trick.
This feels like a few too many stickers for a set this size, and it wouldn’t hurt them to print a few pieces and there.
What great colors and architecture here. I love the interior details. Good job, LEGO!
Lego Friends has REALLY been putting City building sets to shame (mostly) for a long time now.
No nude model!? …Come on LEGO, whatchu playn at!?
I thought the comment about the sloths was satirical, is it not? It's subtle, but I identified it as one. I thought it was funny. For that matter I don't know why people are taking @MeganL's use of sloths so seriously. Professional and fun aren't mutually exclusive. Especially so when it's LEGO.
Just throwing my hat in the ring of Art Attack comments.
Remove the minidolls and some of the weird colors and it is perfectly minifig compatible. I like the builds for the sewing station, the pottery table and the 3d printer a lot.
^ There are minifig sets with those weird colors... are those sets not minifig-compatible? The Boutique Hotel has an entire floor that's made out of realistic light skin tone. Is that not minifig-compatible?
@TomKazutara said:
"Lego hates roofs today."
Not at all. Their focus group research showed again and again that kids playing with building sets prefer to have easier access with their hands to the interiors than having a roof. City and Friends buildings are designed as playsets not as display pieces, hence the roofs are minimal.
I built this a few weeks ago, and I have to say, it’s truly a standout set in the friends series (which I’ve been collecting since summer 2012!). This set very much fits in the Lego modular series with its elegant design. There’s so many beautiful details and as a major fan of the dots series, I love the little dots panels this has which you can decorate any way you’d like, to change things up a bit. I’d love to see more sets like this in the future!
I'm thinking of getting this cheap and building it without the stickers and brightly coloured parts. I'm a bit on the fence cos it might still need more modification to make it look more realistic, but at least it will be a good base.
"Those who bemoan Friends sets for having too much pink will again be disappointed, there's not much pink here."
What?
@crazylegoman said:
""Those who bemoan Friends sets for having too much pink will again be disappointed, there's not much pink here."
What?"
She means "Those who are expecting to hate on another Friends set for having too much pink will again be disappointed."
The brick-built murals are A+, the giant sticker on the other side of the building not so much, why not also just go with a brick-built mural there too?
@Binnekamp said:
"Great set! Friends is the best theme this year, hands-down!"
More like one of the best theme since it started.
What, no dunny?
Just need to add a plate to the top floor attic so the artists have a studio to paint in. There doesn't seem to be much inside space on the ground floor, so I would replace the lockers with some seats to make more of a cafeteria.
This seems to be a similar size to 76408 12 Grimmauld Place, but is so much cheaper. I'm not even into LEGO Friends and this looks like a great set