LEGO is recruiting product designers
Posted by Huw,
LEGO is currently recruiting product designers and is seeking to do so from the AFOL community.
If you think you have what it takes to transition from building MOCs to becoming a designer of official sets, find out more and apply at the LEGO Careers website.
Perhaps you will follow in Chris McVeigh's footsteps, who became a designer after reading a Brickset article similar to this a few years ago!
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54 comments on this article
Will be nice to see some new designers in the mix. Good luck to all who apply!
Please check the word designers in the title again and correct it.
With all the dire predictions on here for Lego's future based on their price increases I'm not sure I'd risk giving up my current job to go to such a dodgy company.
First requirement:
"You have built LEGO models for specific target audiences, not just for your own pleasure..."
I should take a gander later, worth a shot, eh?
@ShinyBidoof said:
"With all the dire predictions on here for Lego's future based on their price increases I'm not sure I'd risk giving up my current job to go to such a dodgy company."
Hilarious that you’d give those predictions even a shadow of credibility
Good luck to anyone here who applies!
Many of the shortlisted Ideas contenders seem to have the required technical skills. But you also have to understand commercial imperatives such as targeting particular audiences, and be able to work as part of an extended team across a variety of functions. Building/design skills alone won’t cut it.
Just do it!
@Zander:
You’re also going to be assigned to design a theme that’s often not of your own choosing. I’d much rather keep building MOCs for pleasure. Somehow I don’t think they’d pay me to make a tricycle for Minion Otto.
Don't do it, people. I was fired after suggesting the reinstatement of B-models for larger Technic sets.
“Can you design anything under 2000 pieces?” should be one of the interview questions. :p
Can you work from home? :D
Had to google "ideating", assumed it was a spelling mistake, so perhaps I haven't quite got the credentials.
All my portfolio is digital. I don't have the time and free space to build them in real life (not to mention that I don't have too many bricks). Do I still have a chance?
Also, they didn't mentioned it, but I believe you need at least four different degrees, be fluent in five languages, be no older than 20 and had past experience as something simple like CEO of a big company to apply for it, right? Every job nowadays requires simple things like these... God, I wish things were simple like in the Google movie staring Owen Wilson.
@TheIronBadger said:
"Don't do it, people. I was fired after suggesting the reinstatement of B-models for larger Technic sets."
Wait, what?
There was a time when this would be a dream job for me.
But that was when LEGO still had good values and morals. When they put Family first. Unfortunately, that's not The LEGO Group anymore. And I would never work for a company hell-bent on attacking Family values and spewing the green-agenda at the same time they extend manufacturing in China, make anti-consumer moves that will increase carbon emissions thanks to the extra weight (like the cardboard boxes for CMFs) and doubled down on promoting gambling to children through blind-bag products.
I’d have applied to this if it was the late 1990s, but I’m 27 years out of college with a family. Not the best time for a major career change. Plus, I’ve seen many more qualified builders out there nowadays…but I’d have been a good 90’s era master builder.
With my portfolio I probably wouldn't qualify anyway, but for some reason I don't find it as attractive as I would a few years ago anyway, with "profitability first".
So many people that hate LEGO posting about LEGO. Is this an Apple forum?
May all who apply get lucky and end up finding one work or another.
What do they mean by motivational letter?
Good luck for those who apply!
@LegoAthos said:
"What do they mean by motivational letter?"
I presume anything from A to Z. ;-)
Well, I can't draw, nor do I want to move to Denmark...Ah, well.
@LegoAthos said:
"What do they mean by motivational letter?"
Just paste in your latest forum rant about what you would change in the company.
Yeesh. This all took, what in hindsight was a fairly predictable, turn.
Not that I'm a strong enough builder anyway but i always have alarm bells ringing when a job advert doesnt tell you the sallary. Am I meant to guess if it would be worth me applying for it? Am i doing it out of good will lol.
We really need to add a sarcasm button here somewhere...
@LegoAthos said:
"What do they mean by motivational letter?"
Probably they expect you to explain why you would like to be a LEGO designer, your childhood history with the brand, what innovation/experiences/new energy could you bring to the LEGO team and so on...
I mean, I think it's quite impressive that I know a bunch of fans who've become designers and work for the company now, and I think it's cool for others to follow their dream. That said, I don't think the average adult fan would be qualified at all for the position anyway. (I know I wouldn't, and that's even before I take into account qualifications.) Seems like people would like to just sit around and argue more often.
@xccj said:
"Seems like people would like to just sit around and argue more often."
No we don't!
For those wondering the salary, it was $37,000 US last time I checked a few years ago. Personally I never really care about salaries but friends tell me that's really bad and you will barely get buy. Lego reckons they want people who are there for the love of Lego, not the money, which I agree with but I don't see why designers should be paid so little. After all, of all the people wanting to be Lego designers out there, they would tend to be huge Lego fans who are in it for the love of the brick anyway, so why the penalty?
It's a dream job, but you also need professional design skills. :( I can't even use Studio. The target audience thing is also rather annoying, surely that's something that could be learnt on the job?
If you're a great designer and builder, you probably will be able to build a modular building one day and a Juniors set the next. And from my understanding Lego tends to tell you want they want eg an ATV with crazy colours or a helicopter with stud shooters.
I personally would struggle to make unrealistic sets for little kids, but (using me as an example), I wouldn't be the only one on the team. There'd be other designers who could make it more colourful or add cool play features.
Basically they want professional designers who just happen to have used Lego at some point in their life, rather than Lego fans. In some ways that makes sense, but it's also annoying for many AFOLs.
It'll be interesting to see who gets hired, and how their work with Lego compares to their building in fan circle
If I wasn't already content with my current job and had an applicable resume or portfolio, I'd shoot my shot. But I'm not the best at building and I doubt I'd thrive in the current marketing ecosystem, so that's less competition for everyone else I guess.
Only $37k? Wow ... and it's not like Billund has low cost of living either. That's not much better than what some grad students in the US get paid, depending on the local cost of living.
@iwybs:
They’re pretty famous for underpaying everyone, but they make up for it by giving out fantastic exclusive sets to their employees, and offering them simply incredible discounts on their product. And they make up for that by making you sign an agreement to never sell any LEGO product that you own, for as long as you’re employed by them.
@Brickchap said:
"For those wondering the salary, it was $37,000 US last time I checked a few years ago. Personally I never really care about salaries but friends tell me that's really bad and you will barely get buy. Lego reckons they want people who are there for the love of Lego, not the money, which I agree with but I don't see why designers should be paid so little. After all, of all the people wanting to be Lego designers out there, they would tend to be huge Lego fans who are in it for the love of the brick anyway, so why the penalty?
It's a dream job, but you also need professional design skills. :( I can't even use Studio. The target audience thing is also rather annoying, surely that's something that could be learnt on the job?
If you're a great designer and builder, you probably will be able to build a modular building one day and a Juniors set the next. And from my understanding Lego tends to tell you want they want eg an ATV with crazy colours or a helicopter with stud shooters.
I personally would struggle to make unrealistic sets for little kids, but (using me as an example), I wouldn't be the only one on the team. There'd be other designers who could make it more colourful or add cool play features.
Basically they want professional designers who just happen to have used Lego at some point in their life, rather than Lego fans. In some ways that makes sense, but it's also annoying for many AFOLs. "
There is no way that full time set designers are being paid $37K annual salary. That is less than $18 an hour for a 40-hour work week. You can make more working at Costco. I understand some of the model makers at the Lego theme parks aren't paid as much, but they are mostly brick assemblers, not designers.
@tomahawker said:
" @Brickchap said:
"For those wondering the salary, it was $37,000 US last time I checked a few years ago. Personally I never really care about salaries but friends tell me that's really bad and you will barely get buy. Lego reckons they want people who are there for the love of Lego, not the money, which I agree with but I don't see why designers should be paid so little. After all, of all the people wanting to be Lego designers out there, they would tend to be huge Lego fans who are in it for the love of the brick anyway, so why the penalty?
It's a dream job, but you also need professional design skills. :( I can't even use Studio. The target audience thing is also rather annoying, surely that's something that could be learnt on the job?
If you're a great designer and builder, you probably will be able to build a modular building one day and a Juniors set the next. And from my understanding Lego tends to tell you want they want eg an ATV with crazy colours or a helicopter with stud shooters.
I personally would struggle to make unrealistic sets for little kids, but (using me as an example), I wouldn't be the only one on the team. There'd be other designers who could make it more colourful or add cool play features.
Basically they want professional designers who just happen to have used Lego at some point in their life, rather than Lego fans. In some ways that makes sense, but it's also annoying for many AFOLs. "
There is no way that full time set designers are being paid $37K annual salary. That is less than $18 an hour for a 40-hour work week. You can make more working at Costco. I understand some of the model makers at the Lego theme parks aren't paid as much, but they are mostly brick assemblers, not designers."
Here in the Netherlands the minimum wages at the moment would be just under € 23k annually (so at the moment about the same in US$). So working as a designer would be slightly better. But considering the gigantic profits at TLG, and the essentiality of the job for the company, I would find $37k, even if that's a few years ago already, quite insulting actually.
Since they are offering a job: are they expanding the team, or only replacing? And if so, who left? It'll definitely affect future lines. I'm curious to see what new things will come out, but some designers you start noticing their touch on certain sets.
@tomahawker:
Yes, being a park Master Model Builder does involve a lot of brick assembly, but I’ve never heard of anyone being titled an Assistant Model Builder. They may not design sets*, but the primary focus of their job is creating brickbuilt sculptures. It involves a very different skill set, but I suspect most AFOLs would find it even more challenging than designing sets.
* There have been a handful of sets that originated in one LEGOLAND park or another, and may have been designed by the park staff, where the LEGO Store Grand Opening sets were usually designed by the corporate model shops.
@Wrecknbuild said:
" @tomahawker said:
" @Brickchap said:
"For those wondering the salary, it was $37,000 US last time I checked a few years ago. Personally I never really care about salaries but friends tell me that's really bad and you will barely get buy. Lego reckons they want people who are there for the love of Lego, not the money, which I agree with but I don't see why designers should be paid so little. After all, of all the people wanting to be Lego designers out there, they would tend to be huge Lego fans who are in it for the love of the brick anyway, so why the penalty?
It's a dream job, but you also need professional design skills. :( I can't even use Studio. The target audience thing is also rather annoying, surely that's something that could be learnt on the job?
If you're a great designer and builder, you probably will be able to build a modular building one day and a Juniors set the next. And from my understanding Lego tends to tell you want they want eg an ATV with crazy colours or a helicopter with stud shooters.
I personally would struggle to make unrealistic sets for little kids, but (using me as an example), I wouldn't be the only one on the team. There'd be other designers who could make it more colourful or add cool play features.
Basically they want professional designers who just happen to have used Lego at some point in their life, rather than Lego fans. In some ways that makes sense, but it's also annoying for many AFOLs. "
There is no way that full time set designers are being paid $37K annual salary. That is less than $18 an hour for a 40-hour work week. You can make more working at Costco. I understand some of the model makers at the Lego theme parks aren't paid as much, but they are mostly brick assemblers, not designers."
Here in the Netherlands the minimum wages at the moment would be just under € 23k annually (so at the moment about the same in US$). So working as a designer would be slightly better. But considering the gigantic profits at TLG, and the essentiality of the job for the company, I would find $37k, even if that's a few years ago already, quite insulting actually."
We don't post our numbers publicly, so I will just say that 37k is inaccurate.
For those interested, don't hesitate to reach out to the names on the job posting if you have questions.
I wish TLG would let Chris make christmas ornaments. That's what brought him to my attention, and I have dozens of his ornaments in my house during the holidays. With all the new pieces now easily available, it should be possible to design some very nice stuff. People should look up his work online.
https://chrismcveigh.com/cm/welcome.html
Good luck to all the new designers/builders out there.
Hope you land the gig!
Just from what I remember reading and seeing some youtube videos years ago...
(Feel free to correct any info, just going on memory)
The Lego group got better with their designs and uptick in sales, etc. recruiting moc builders/designers. Before they were getting many designers with architectural degrees which is great but the more creative designers were from the moc community. Late 90s, early 2000s?
Then with that, those guys were taught to build for stability, to a price point already set, and just about every kit can be built by a 12 year old skill level.
Their unique design sense set them apart. Bringing lots of originality to the table.
And just like anything else, hired based on talent, experience, work ethic, etc. which would determine salary from entry level on up.
I have nothing to base this on, but I'm assuming an entry level design position over there would be around $50k usd looking at stuff around the net? Don't know if those Lego salaries posted online are for store employees, store managers or designers/creative jobs, etc.?
This is worth seeing, I'm sure some things have changed but this is interesting for the aspiring designers...and an additional thing too I forgot, you gotta' work under a deadline. That's a skill set as well as a creative designer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTgWnY_ZM3c
One of my favorite youtubers and lego reviewers, the always fun, creative and knowledgeable Tiago has a good video on this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV0c3kC9aU0&t=102s
@legoDad42:
While I love watching the show, that’s another reason I have zero interest in ever trying out for LEGO Masters. Sometimes I can knock out a new MOC in a matter of hours, and sometimes I will keep fussing with it for weeks until it feels done. Sometimes I can take months just bouncing ideas back and forth in my head before I even start working on designing it.
Besides, all those people who whinge about how price per piece is a terrible metric would hate buying any sets I designed, as I definitely favor using tiny pieces.
@PurpleDave said:
" @legoDad42:
While I love watching the show, that’s another reason I have zero interest in ever trying out for LEGO Masters. Sometimes I can knock out a new MOC in a matter of hours, and sometimes I will keep fussing with it for weeks until it feels done. Sometimes I can take months just bouncing ideas back and forth in my head before I even start working on designing it."
I think you should try out for the show. It'd be such a unique experience for a moc builder like yourself. Pressure for sure being on tv but what a great time it'd be too.
Even if say you got knocked out early (not saying you would), you'd be on tv, your designs on tv, I think the contestants get very cool swag bags gifts, meeting some pro Lego designers. It'd be worth it. Truly unique experience.
While one part of me thinks this would be a great job, the other side says will it be enjoyable if you have to do it. I build to unwind and relax as a hobby, having to do it would take the fun out of it.
This is what I've written on my application.
I can design many things that are only cuboid in shape. I can do decorations such as windows and doors and a sloping roof but completely unable to use any elements to make patterns, or use things like minifigure tools like hammers to make ornamental decorations.
Angles other than 90°, slopes, SNOTs, vehicles and basic building techniques are out of the question.
My mind cannot comprehend Technic studless beams. Other Technic like mechanisms are impossible to me.
I have little appreciation of what colours go well together.
I am very good at following the instructions.
I'm sure you're all looking forward to seeing my sets when I get the job.
@legoDad42:
Nope. I enjoyed talking with the five S2 contestants from Michigan a year ago, but I learned a lot of behind-the-scenes info that only served to reinforce my stance. For being possibly the most active LUG in the world (we might clear 20 shows again this year), when it comes time to pick someone to do TV interviews, our members (myself included) tend to take a step back, rather than forward.
@windjammer said:
"This is what I've written on my application.
I can design many things that are only cuboid in shape. I can do decorations such as windows and doors and a sloping roof but completely unable to use any elements to make patterns, or use things like minifigure tools like hammers to make ornamental decorations.
Angles other than 90°, slopes, SNOTs, vehicles and basic building techniques are out of the question.
My mind cannot comprehend Technic studless beams. Other Technic like mechanisms are impossible to me.
I have little appreciation of what colours go well together.
I am very good at following the instructions.
I'm sure you're all looking forward to seeing my sets when I get the job."
Sounds like you should be applying to "Model Maker" listings, not "Product Designer"
@legoDad42 said:
"One of my favorite youtubers and lego reviewers, the always fun, creative and knowledgeable Tiago has a good video on this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV0c3kC9aU0&t=102s
"
He gave up being a designer to become a YouTuber. No doubt there were many reasons for his decision, some of which are private. Still, it’s a funny old world when someone gives up being a LEGO designer to instead become a LEGO reviewer/commentator.
Wish you guys had posted a deadline date, the page is now gone before I was able to finish my application :(
@CM4Sci said:
"Wish you guys had posted a deadline date, the page is now gone before I was able to finish my application :("
Be sure to check again! We had a day recently where nearly all job postings were removed and reuploaded. Good luck!
I applied and got to the first interview, feels so much harder when you have to do a video recording instead of doing it live, I feel like I messed up the single take questions too. So nervous