ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴠɪᴇᴡ: Geeking out with the LEGO Masters
Brick Architect asks the LEGO Masters contestants about some of our favorite topics: LEGO storage, favorite parts and colors, how scale impacts their creations, and their dream project.
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Updates to LEGO Brick Labels page
LEGO Brick Labels is one of the most popular resources provided here at Brick Architect, but I hadn’t updated the page where you can download and learn more in 4 years!
The updated page includes an up-to-date list of compatible label printers. It’s also shorter, easier to read, and encourages readers to visit my LEGO Storage Guide to learn more about storage solutions.
Cool Yellow (Bright Light Yellow) is having a moment
The new Fiat 500 gives us 40 new parts in a previously rare color.
While I keep meaning to update my 2018 article Hard-to-Find LEGO Colors (and what to do about it), it clearly indicated that 226Cool YellowBright Light Yellow was a “rare” color since it was only available in 8 of the 24 parts used in my analysis. (While I didn’t update the article in 2019, you would have found that it was up to 14/24 parts, nearly entering the “uncommon” category.)
Suffice to say, the newly released Creator Expert #10271 Fiat 500 set has put the previously rare color on the map, since it is used as the color for the car’s brick-built exterior.
#10271 Fiat 500 includes a ton of new and useful parts in the rare Cool Yellow color.
The set incudes 40 parts which are new for 2020 in the 226Cool YellowBright Light Yellow color. Among those new parts are 13x 1×3 Plate (Part 3623), 5x 2×4 Plate (Part 3020), 3x 1×4 Tile (Part 2431), & 9x 1×8 Tile (Part 4162). This brings it up to 18/24 parts, putting it well within the “uncommon” category, and on track to become a common color soon.
The Fiat 500 costs $89.99 (€79.99 / £74.99) for 960 pieces (or a cool $0.09 per part.)
Should you decide to add this ‘cool’ car to your collection, please consider purchasing the #10271 Fiat 500 using our LEGO.com affiliate link—Thanks!
Meet the LEGO Masters… on Youtube, Instagram, and more
Want to find out what it was really like participating in the new LEGO Masters TV Show? Many of the participants are active on social media, so it’s easy to learn more!
Interview about LEGO Brick Labels
Richard at The Rambling Brick just posted an interview about my LEGO Brick Labels collection.
In the interview, I explain how each label is made, the criteria for inclusion in the label collection, and challenges in designing great labels. You’ll also learn a bit about my favorite parts and colors, as well as my day job and some of my non-LEGO Hobbies.
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ: Unity Temple (The Atom Brick)
This is the first of three new architecture sets by The Atom Brick (using ¾ sized LEGO-like bricks.) Let’s find out if the model compares favorably to recent sets in the LEGO Architecture series.
Updates to ‘Unofficial LEGO Architecture Set Guide’
I’ve added two new models to the guide (‘Raadhuis Hilversum’ & ‘NH Hotel Rotterdam’), and a link to PDF instructions for ‘The Istana’.
P.S. Let us know if you discover any unofficial LEGO Architecture sets that we should add to the guide!
LEGO teases new lighting kits, causes controversy
A little bit of lighting makes LEGO models look amazing after dark. Long the domain of small business, The LEGO Group is exploring offering products of their own.
“Lights out” hours at LEGO Conventions like Brickworld Chicago encourage fans to add lighting to their models. Inspired by DIY solutions, several small businesses offer ready-made kits with parts and instructions to add lighting to many official LEGO sets. (In past articles, we’ve reviewed Brickloot LED Light kits and generic Battery-powered LED Christmas Lights.)
This week, The LEGO Group announced a partnership with Light My Bricks to produce and sell LEGO-branded Lighting Kits for official LEGO sets. This kind of partnership is new; LEGO will be investing money and resources in companies through their new Lead User Lab program.
LEGO ‘Night Mode’ Light Kit for Ford Mustang (Photo: Brickset)
The story gets a bit more complicated… In this detailed article, Brickstuff (a pioneer in this category, founded in 2011) has alleged that their designs were stolen in 2016 by Light My Bricks.
The LEGO Group has some time to figure this out, since the Lighting Kits aren’t actually available for purchase at this time. This is a bit confusing, since realistic-looking boxes of LEGO-branded lighting kits were displayed at a LEGO store in Copenhagen, coinciding with this year’s LEGO World covention.
Further reading on this controversial news:
- LEGO Night Mode light kits are ‘a test’ —Brick Fanatics
- LEGO Night Mode Lighting Kits Controversy —The Brick Fan
- Night Mode: more information —Brickset
In the meantime, we’re hoping to share reviews of a few more 3rd-party LEGO lighting kits soon, so stay tuned!
Three new models by LEGO Architecture founder Adam Reed Tucker
Adam’s creating some exciting new Architecture sets, but he had to move away from the LEGO brick to make it happen. We talked with Adam to learn more…
#10272 Old Trafford – Manchester United
With nearly 4000 pieces, here’s a set for serious football (soccer) fans!
Another new set of interest to Adult LEGO builders is this massive model of Old Trafford, the stadium where Manchester United plays. While I have no familiarity with the building and no connection to the team, I immediately noticed the intricate architectural detailing throughout the model.
#10272 Old Trafford – Manchester United
I doubt that I will get an opportunity to build this massive set, but it is really interesting to see something this unique added to the Creator Expert product line.
Reviews:
- Brickset
- Brick Fanatics
- Brothers Brick
- Promo Bricks (German)
#10272 Old Trafford – Manchester United costs $299.99 (£249.99, €269.99) for 3898 pieces, and you can buy it now at LEGO.com.
LEGO Masters USA
LEGO Masters is coming to the USA on Wednesday February 5th. What can we expect of the new show, based on previous seasons in the UK an Australia?
March 2, 2020: Many of the contestants are sharing recaps of each episode on social media. Learn more in our new article Meet the LEGO Masters… on Youtube, Instagram, and more.
Readers in the United States have probably seen ads for LEGO Masters, a new show on FOX which premieres Wednesday, February 5th. You might not have realized that (just like the Great British Bake-off), LEGO Masters (UK) came first; with a four-episode first season in 2017, and a six-episode second season in 2018 on Channel 4 TV. The show was lighthearted and fun, especially given that some of the two-person teams included children. I enjoyed the program, but don’t plan to go back and watch it again.
Following the UK show, Channel 9 Australia launched LEGO Masters Australia in April, 2019. It was a much longer 9-episode season featuring more complex challenges and a more competitive approach. (They did not include young children in the competition.)
LEGO Masters Australia is vastly superior to the UK series due to heightened competition, better challenges and more engaging judges and hosts. Speaking of the judging—Ryan McNaught (Australia’s only LEGO Certified Professional) was fantastic in the series. He highlighted advanced building techniques featured in the models which casual viewers wouldn’t have noticed, and even used the right terminology such as SNOT (Studs Not On Top). Episode 5 was my favorite—they were asked to build the strongest bridge, which was destroyed later in the episode!
Based on what I’ve learned from the promotional videos and articles about the show, I’m hopeful LEGO Masters USA will build on formula perfected by the Australian show. I’m happy with their decision to only include adult builders in the competition, excited by the large number of participating teams, and impressed by the beautifully designed set and more dramatic editing.
Lastly, I’m excited to see so many talented LEGO Artists have come together to make the show a reality, including judging by two talented LEGO Designers (Amy Corbett & Jamie Berard), LEGO Art models by Artist Nathan Sawaya, and hosting by the voice of LEGO Batman himself; Will Arnett.
Articles about LEGO Masters that you might enjoy:
- Interview with Anthony Dominici, Executive Producer of LEGO Masters —Brickset
- Making LEGO Masters: Exclusive interview with executive producer Anthony Dominici —Brothers Brick
- Interview with LEGO Masters judges, Brick Master Amy and Brick Master Jamie —Brickset
- Interview with Nathan Sawaya, LEGO artist and LEGO Masters Consulting Producer —Brickset
- Building LEGO Masters: Exclusive interview with Brick Artist Nathan Sawaya —Brothers Brick
- Interview with Will Arnett, host of LEGO Masters —Brickset
- Behind the scenes at the LEGO Masters set —Brickset
What’s next for LEGO Masters? I guess we’ll have to wait and see how well this season goes! (P.S. German readers, they’re now casting in your country, too!)
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ: #10266 NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander
Land on the moon in style in a shiny new Lunar Lander. You can probably already tell that it’s going to be a great display piece, but let’s find out if it’s also fun to build!
