How PaB model Billboard Fun came to be
Posted by Huw,
Earlier this month LEGO launched a number of Pick-a-Brick models, including Billboard Fun, a model designed by UK AFOL David Beach. In this article he explains how he got involved, the process he had to follow, and why there's a chicken on one side of it:
Back in September 2022, LEGO Ideas challenged some of the community’s top designers to design a build that can be customised by the builder with just 200 pieces. It was an invitation only process under the LEGO Ideas Test Lab programme.
It sounds easy enough, but the rules were strict...
Models had to be submitted as digital builds only, containing between 150 and 200 pieces, and we could only use elements from a specific parts file. The limited colour palette and restrictions on not using existing intellectual properties or minifigs meant that designers had to get really creative with their builds.
But, with the challenge came a great opportunity to showcase one’s creativity and skill. We could submit as many entries as we wanted, and the whole process was blind, so we couldn't see what anyone else had submitted, which I liked.
For me, the challenge started out as a daunting task. Four weeks passed and I still had no inspiration. That did not come until I visited my local LEGO store to look at the Pick A Brick (PAB) for ideas. I turned to a member of staff and asked him what his favourite piece on the PAB wall was. His answer was the 1x2 masonry profile brick.
So, I decided that my design would incorporate that part and that was a constraint to work within.
The original vision was a Hollywood sign, where builders could create their name or initials and customise it. But as gravity proved to be a challenge, a billboard concept emerged. In later versions, the billboard was designed to slide in and out, making customisation a breeze.
Despite the digital nature of the challenge, I do prefer to build with physical bricks to test product viability and playability so after just over a week of building and tinkering, the final submission was sent in.
I left my original submission as a blank billboard and added some additional photos on how the billboard could be customised. LEGO took my suggested ideas and incorporated them into the build. I am so happy they did, as they have some hidden meanings.
On side one, words spell Love You, which are two words I tell my wife every day! She loves daffodils so incorporated the closest thing I could find, yellow flowers, into the design.
When my son was born, my wife nicknamed him her little “chicken” so that’s why there is a chicken in the design on the other side. And, when my daughter was born, I nicknamed her “Yum Yum”, so that’s why there is the word “Yum” in the design. All four of us love ice creams, so they were added for good measure!
Six weeks later, I received an email from LEGO Ideas with exciting news. My submission had been selected as a winner, and I could now share my creation with the world.
You can purchase the Billboard design from the Pick a Brick hub and perhaps add a few extra pieces to your order, so you can customise the messages. I personally recommend adding a few birds to perch on it!
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11 comments on this article
A great design and an even better story. Thanks for the insight!
This is one of my favourite of these, so easy to slip into any modern day scene or city. however because of how the system works, it is a lot more expensive than a regular set, for what you get.
Cute story.
I do have to be honest thought since imho this was one of the weakest entries. But that may be only because I don't see billboards like that over here and would consequently have no use for such a thing in my City layout (if I even had such a thing to begin with).
My favorite was the market stalls since they look exactly like those from the regular Wednesday market in our town.
@AddictedToStyrene said:
"A great design and an even better story. Thanks for the insight!"
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it
@LegoBoi69 said:
"I went for the greenhouse, garden and market. The others were great, just not for me."
Understandable. Thank you for staying positive too
@AgentKallus said:
"This is one of my favourite of these, so easy to slip into any modern day scene or city. however because of how the system works, it is a lot more expensive than a regular set, for what you get."
So glad you liked it. Yeah the price of PaB has a huge manual element to it, which has to be reflected in the cost per part. However I do see and understand your point. Throw in some seagulls and it can pay for itself lol
@AustinPowers said:
"Cute story.
I do have to be honest thought since imho this was one of the weakest entries. But that may be only because I don't see billboards like that over here and would consequently have no use for such a thing in my City layout (if I even had such a thing to begin with).
My favorite was the market stalls since they look exactly like those from the regular Wednesday market in our town. "
Very understandable. I liked the market too.
I always love it when set designers include personal touches in their models, so it's nice to see that at least one of the PaB models had those! If I had a city layout, I would definitely be picking up at least one of these. If I do get one, it'll probably be Cyber Explorers, because it's one of the cheapest and it appeals to my love of sci-fi.
The new Disney icons set 43221 really impressed me with the designs they made with so very few pieces on a flat surface. Now, after seeing that, it has given new life and inspiration on the possibilities of how this billboard set can be used!
@Wellspring said:
"The new Disney icons set 43221 really impressed me with the designs they made with so very few pieces on a flat surface. Now, after seeing that, it has given new life and inspiration on the possibilities of how this billboard set can be used!"
I like the way you think!
As for previous ones, this article describing the creative process is very interesting IMO. As a few weeks before with Lego designers interviews and so on... Always learning interesting things while reading them. And I pretty like the design, and the fact it's customizable. Thank you.