Articles about the Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL) community.
Motorizing #21344 The Orient Express
This set did not include instructions for adding a motor to this set, but here they are — and it only requires a few common parts.
Category: AFOL
Going Big at BrickCan 2023 (LEGO Convention)
Let’s explore the many different ways that AFOLs ‘go big’ to make LEGO Conventions a great experience for everyone.
Update: How LUGBULK works—and strategies for making the most of it!
Find out which parts and colors are the cheapest and most expensive on BrickLink and learn more about the LUGBULK program.
One of our most popular articles explains what LUGBULK is and how to use the opportunity to improve your LEGO parts library (while saving money). I’ve updated the part availability and pricing data in the article for January 2023 — just in time to finalize your own LUGBULK order!
Updated table showing current BrickLink cost & availability for some of the most common LEGO Parts.
Other improvements:
- Background color for each column matches the color of those parts.
This makes it much easier to find the color you are looking for. - Added new 370Medium Brown and 1089Warm TanMedium Tan colors to tables.
…even though the new colors aren’t available in basic parts yet! - Added a new table showing color rankings over time.
You can use it to better understand which colors are gaining and losing popularity. - Updated analysis to reflect latest trends.
This includes a downward trend in cost of plates while the cost of bricks remains largely unchanged.
Learn more by visiting brickarchitect.com/lugbulk/
BrickCon 2022 LEGO Convention
This year’s convention felt like a homecoming of sorts — packed with positive energy, even more amazing MOC’s, a vibrant after-hours scene, and TV star vibes from a ton of LEGO Masters contestants.
A to Z of Awesome
The LEGO group partners with LGBTQIA+ fans in celebration of Pride month.
Last year, The LEGO Group released #40516 Everyone is Awesome to celebrate Pride month. This year, they created a beautiful website featuring brick-built creations and stories from the rich community of LGBTQIA+ fans of LEGO.
Jeannie Jonas is one of the LEGO Artists featured in ‘The A to Z of Awesome’.
I was pleased to learn that Brick Architect contributor Jeannie Jonas was one of the LEGO artists featured on the website. Be sure to visit the A to Z of Awesome at LEGO.com to see Jeannie’s LEGO vignette The Trans Gender Garden as well as the rest of the people and creations featured on the website!
See more at A to Z of Awesome at LEGO.com. Happy Pride 2022.
Update: How LUGBULK works—and strategies for making the most of it!
I’ve updated Brick Architect’s guide to the LUGBULK program with data from January 2022. It’s a great way to see which elements are common, and which are are costly (or hard to find).
Last year, I published an article explaining what LUGBULK is and how to use the opportunity to improve your LEGO parts library (while saving money). I’ve updated the part availability and pricing data in the article for January 2022 — just in time to finalize your own LUGBULK order!
Table showing current BrickLink cost & availability for some of the most common LEGO Parts.
Other improvements:
- Table shows part availability for four consecutive 5-year periods.
You can see how certain colors are gaining popularity over time by flipping quickly through the pages. - Added the new “Vibrant Yellow” color.
Even though it’s only included in a few 2022 sets, it is already more common than two established colors! - Updated color rankings for 2017-2021.
The most common colors appear on the left side of the table. - General readability/design improvements.
Learn more by visiting brickarchitect.com/lugbulk/
How LUGBULK works—and strategies for making the most of it!
LUGBULK allows members of a Recognized LEGO User Group to order LEGO in bulk. You need a strategy to make the most of this opportunity—this new article can help!
LUGBULK is an amazing opportunity for AFOLs, but it’s a slow and complex process with a number of restrictions. I just published a new article that explains what LUGBULK is, how you can get involved, and some strategies (and data) to help you make the most of it!
Get started by visiting brickarchitect.com/lugbulk/
6 things I learned at LEGO House Virtual Fan Day
LEGO House (Virtual) Fan Day offered a rare opportunity to learn how The LEGO Group works—these were the most interesting topics in the 3.5 hour session!
Co-branding for AFOLs: LEGO × [Adidas/Levi’s/IKEA]
Let’s cast a critical eye on three co-branded LEGO product lines that are coming out soon.
New design for adult-focused LEGO products
Has The LEGO Group finally admitted that Adult Fans are important with updated packaging, 18+ recommended age, and more…?
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?
The Guardian view on LEGO for adults: play is a serious business
Hot on the heels of the Washington Post article we shared a few days ago, here’s a short article on The Guardian about the trend, citing the upcoming USA LEGO Masters show, huge LEGO sets designed for adults, and LEGO as mindfulness practice.
According to the article, toy sales to ages 12+ (including adults) are up 11% in Europe versus two years prior. Good Job AFOL’s!
