Interview with Kurt Kristiansen, designer of the Land Rover Defender 90
Posted by Huw,
10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90 may just be the best Icons/Creator Expert vehicle ever released thanks to its accurate form and sophisticated suspension.
Last week we and other fan media outlets had the opportunity to ask its designer Kurt Kristiansen a few questions about the design process.
Find out why sand green was chosen and what the most challenging aspects of the model were after the break.
Kurt, please tell us about yourself.
My name is Kurt Kristiansen and I have been working at LEGO for 27 years. I started in the design department (PMD) in 2006. Before that I worked on display models for exhibitions and shops and so on, so I've gone from big models to small models!
In PMD, I started on Star Wars and worked on the theme for a long time. I also worked on Indiana Jones and City. I actually trained as an agricultural mechanic, so I can fix your plough or tractor, if you have one!
How did you come to work on the Land Rover?
It's my first Icons model, and it was an assignment. I've worked on large Star Wars models but doing a vehicle of this size was new for me.
This is the first Icons/Creator Expert vehicle with working suspension. Was it always planned to add it tom the vehicle?
We discussed it a lot whether we should have suspension and decided that as this was an off-road vehicle not having it would be disappointing. So, we wanted to make it as realistic and accurate as possible. But that's where the headache began, because it wasn't simple to build the linkages, and we had to make sure we didn't stress the elements.
Why was it decided to built it in sand green?
We wanted to match the colour of the heritage models, and as green is one of the most common colours, Land Rover requested that we make it in that colour.
What was the most challenging part of the design process for this vehicle?
The most challenging was definitely the suspension, getting the linkages is working and putting the steering axle in.
Working with an IP partner also added to the challenge, with a lot of communication back and forth at every stage of the process to make sure that they were happy with the design and also to ensure that they understood the LEGO system and the constraints that modelling with LEGO bricks imposes.
Are there any aspects of it that you are particularly happy with?
The suspension of course, but also the accessories. They were fun to build. I also received some very good help from my colleagues. When you're working on this sort of project people are very interested in seeing what you're doing, so I'd return to my desk and find someone had built a Jerry can or something!
One thing that was definitely fun was the mechanical jack because I have used a real one, and they are very good, but they can also be a bit scary to work with!
Was there a particular part that dictated the scale of the model?
Yes, it is probably the wheels. We didn't necessarily look to model the vehicle in an exact scale, or to the same scale as previous Icons vehicles, but we tried to get something that's close so that they look like they're from the same universe, or at least that they can be displayed together.
The expedition accessories have increased the price. Did you consider not including them to lower it?
It was actually Land Rover who suggested that we include them. We could have done a 'clean model' but the one we've delivered offers a lot for you as a consumer and as a model builder and provides a lot of options for how you build and display it. If you're lucky enough to own a real Land Rover you can probably build a model of it with all the options we've provided in the set.
Why does this set have stickers when other Icons vehicles have all printed decorations?
It's choice that we made. It would be nice to have all pieces printed but of course it adds to the price.
Thank you, Kurt!
10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90 is now available at LEGO.com priced at £209.99 / $239.99 / 239.99€.
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16 comments on this article
Great to see Star Wars designers working on other projects, lending their expertise and such.
Why is there an advertisement at the end of the article for 43215 though?
Great interview and great final result!
Pst @Huw, I don't think it's really called Magical Treehouse
Nice interview, and great to discover another designer — I don't think I had seen his name mentioned earlier, and probably he doesn't have a bricklist (I'm curious to see which other models he has built).
Huw, apart from the Porsche 911 all the other icons vehicles have stickers
Nice interview - very informative!
So all the extra expedition stuff is included because the IP partner wanted it, not Lego; and the choice to go with stickers was made by Lego to try to control the cost. It’s interesting how actual, what do you call them - oh, right, FACTS - don’t actually support the “Lego is greedy, forcing us to pay more” narrative we hear so much.
@tmtomh said:
"Nice interview - very informative!
So all the extra expedition stuff is included because the IP partner wanted it, not Lego; and the choice to go with stickers was made by Lego to try to control the cost. It’s interesting how actual, what do you call them - oh, right, FACTS - don’t actually support the “Lego is greedy, forcing us to pay more” narrative we hear so much."
Still, I hope TLG could invest in a few extra printing facilities (and the extra logistics that come with it). Or ask Coby to do it for them...
On topic: apart from the price I very much like the model!
Excellent interview!
Licensing can be weird sometimes. I've gotten into Western action figures; mostly as accessories for Breyer horses. I started with the Diamond Select Westworld line, as it was affordable--usually selling for around half each figure's MSRP. At 1:10, it is in between Breyer Traditional and Classic scales; so the figures work with both. I noticed that both of the Dolores Abernathy figures had open outstretched hands; and the "Outlaw" version I own featured a revolver molded to the holster, glued to the belt. By comparison, all of the other figures in the line had grip hands, and the others with firearms had removable firearms that slotted into the holster. It made absolutely no sense; until I found that doing this was a requirement the actress who played Dolores had put in the licensing agreement.
Wouldn't 27 years ago be 1996? just saying...
@Murdoch17 said:
"Wouldn't 27 years ago be 1996? just saying..."
I think it's that Kurt started working for Lego in 1996, but started working for the design department (PMD) in 2006. He says "Before that [2006] I worked on display models for exhibitions and shops and so on" presumably whilst at Lego.
I hope that helps explain it.
I'd say the biggest flaw of the set would be the windscreen, it would have been interesting to know what other options they considered (maybe even a new piece?).
As for the bit about stickers adding to the price....you could also say it would lower the margin Lego would make on this. At this price point they shouldn't skimp on quality....
Nevertheless, overall I still think he did a pretty darn good job, it's mostly other departments that are to blame for the shortcomings of this set. And I do still want it....
(but I can wait for a good discount....)
Great interview. Maybe a dumb question but is Kurt part of the actual Kristansen family from the founder of LEGO?
@WizardOfOss said:
"I'd say the biggest flaw of the set would be the windscreen"
Hmm, same windscreen as in the VW T2 Campervan, and not a great match for that either!
Interesting. I'd love to see some LRs that look like the model. I guess they're not hanging about too often in big Euro cities that I visit.
The ones you see in the U.S. are definitely not like this model. They're used for elites prancing about in downtowns or suburbs. I've never seen a LR on a 4x4 trail or even camping, for that matter.
@tmtomh said:
"Nice interview - very informative!
So all the extra expedition stuff is included because the IP partner wanted it, not Lego; and the choice to go with stickers was made by Lego to try to control the cost. It’s interesting how actual, what do you call them - oh, right, FACTS - don’t actually support the “Lego is greedy, forcing us to pay more” narrative we hear so much."
As someone who owns a Defender myself, the inclusion of the accessories would be non negotiable. It’s a vehicle with a long standing history of modification for whatever purpose you intend to use it for. I’ve have only a few times ever seen two Defenders that are alike. This gives the owner (and the real fans of this set) the opportunity to customize their build to match what’s in their driveway, or to build the version of their dreams. The set looks incredible and they really did their homework with this one. I’ve been waiting for this set for awhile.
@StyleCounselor said:
"Interesting. I'd love to see some LRs that look like the model. I guess they're not hanging about too often in big Euro cities that I visit.
The ones you see in the U.S. are definitely not like this model. They're used for elites prancing about in downtowns or suburbs. I've never seen a LR on a 4x4 trail or even camping, for that matter. "
These vehicles are not a great driving experience for the city and so most owners choose to drive them in the country or more rural communities. In the US these vehicles were only sold for three years in the 90’s and at very limited quantities. Most that are in the states today were imported after 25 years. And designated as classic vehicles. There is today a thriving Classic LR/Defender community in the states with lots of rallies and overland events held throughout the warmer months. But it still remains a more niche community here because of having to go through the work of importing a vehicle from another country.
@StyleCounselor said:
"Interesting. I'd love to see some LRs that look like the model. I guess they're not hanging about too often in big Euro cities that I visit.
The ones you see in the U.S. are definitely not like this model. They're used for elites prancing about in downtowns or suburbs. I've never seen a LR on a 4x4 trail or even camping, for that matter. "
Sounds like a similar situation as with the Mercedes G(elände), which for most of its career was just a utilitarian offroader, but only in his later years became more popular than ever as luxury vehicle.
I think over here the Land Rover never really strayed away from its roots, probably also because of the Range Rover and other LR models like the Discovery. Still very capable off-roaders but luxurious and comfortable on-road. People who bought a Defender probably actually needed one.
I've only driven a Defender once, on an off-road course where the driver was the limiting factor, not the car. It's truly scary what these cars are capable of in the mud. But after that event, the cars were loaded on a trailer to drive them back, purely because they were a pain to drive on the highway.