Do you want to know how to become a LEGO® designer? Are you interested in becoming one and thinking about spending your time among your favorite toys? If the answer to both of these questions is yes then you have landed in the right place.
Few people know that becoming a LEGO® designer is a real possibility. It’s not as difficult as one might think, but it does require some training and practice. In this article, we will outline the steps necessary to become a LEGO® designer.
After reading this article, you will learn how to master your skills as a LEGO® designer and even land your dream job. If that sounds interesting enough to you then keep on reading!
How to Become a LEGO® Designer?
Many people think that becoming a LEGO® designer is impossible. They envision some Herculean task that requires an advanced degree in engineering or architecture. However, this could not be further from the truth. In reality, all you need is a little creativity and imagination.
There are a few steps that, if you follow, will help you not only become a LEGO® designer and land your favorite job but will also help you stand out from the crowd.
1. Nail Down the Basics
This is the first and the most important step in becoming a LEGO® designer. You need to have an excellent understanding of the basics before you can start thinking about more advanced concepts.
If you want to become a designer, the best way to start is by taking some courses on design principles. These will teach you the basics of form, function, and aesthetics. Once you have a strong foundation in these concepts, you can start thinking about how to apply them to LEGO® bricks.
In addition to design courses, it is also important that you have a strong understanding of the basic LEGO® elements. You should know all about the different sizes and shapes of bricks as well as their functions. This knowledge will be essential when you start designing your own LEGO® sets.
2. Find Your Niche
Once you have a strong understanding of the basics, it is time to find your niche. This is the step where you start to figure out what kind of designs you are interested in creating. Are you interested in designing vehicles? Or maybe you want to focus on creating buildings?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to designing LEGO® sets. The key is to find something that you are passionate about and that you can see yourself working on for a long time.
3. Develop Your Skills
Once you have found your niche, it is time to start developing your skills as a designer. This step is all about practice. The more you design, the better you will become.
One way to practice your designing skills is by using Bricklinks Studio software. This is a free software program that allows you to create digital LEGO® models. You can use it to design anything you want, from simple houses to intricate vehicles.
If you are not interested in building LEGO® models digitally, you can always build them physically. You can use a simple sheet of paper to draw a blueprint of what your final design will look like and then work on it to make it.
LEGO design is not rocket science and it is all about your creativity, the more creatively you think the better designs you can make, and so on.
4. Challenge Yourself
One of the best ways to improve your LEGO® building skills is by challenging yourself. Once you have mastered the basics, try to push your boundaries and see how far you can take your designs.
One way to do this is by entering LEGO® design competitions. These are held periodically and allow you to submit your own original designs. If your design is chosen, you will not only receive recognition for your work but also a cash prize.
Another way to challenge yourself is by taking on complex LEGO® building projects. These are usually large-scale models that can take weeks or even months to complete. They are often very detailed and require a lot of patience and dedication.
However, the rewards for completing a complex project are great. Not only will you have an impressive model to show off, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you were able to create something truly unique.
5. Build a Portfolio
As you start to develop your skills as a LEGO® designer, it is important to start building a portfolio. This is a collection of your best designs that you can show off to potential employers.
Your portfolio should include a wide range of designs, from simple models to more complex ones. It is also a good idea to include a mix of digital and physical designs. This will show that you are capable of working in both mediums.
In addition to your designs, your portfolio should also include a resume and a list of your skills and experience. This will give potential employers a better idea of who you are and what you can do.
Building a strong portfolio is essential if you want to have a successful career as a LEGO® designer.
6. Gain Some Exposure
As mentioned earlier, contests are the best ways to gain some exposure as a LEGO® designer. However, that’s not all and there are definitely a lot of other ways to showcase your skills and gain some exposure.
One way to do this is by submitting your designs to LEGO® fan sites. These are websites that are dedicated to all things LEGO. They often have sections where designers can submit their own creations.
Another way to gain exposure is by taking part in online forums and discussions. There are many LEGO® forums on the internet where builders of all skill levels can share their designs and give feedback to one another.
Taking part in these forums is a great way to network with other designers and learn from more experienced builders. Alternatively, you can make a YouTube channel and start teaching other people or just build your own designs in front of a camera.
Apart from YouTube, TikTok is another rapidly growing platform that has left Instagram far behind in popularity. Also, don’t forget to make a LinkedIn profile as it will come in handy when you start looking for jobs.
7. Find a Job
Once you have built up your skills and exposure, it is time to start looking for a job. The best place to start is by checking the job boards on LEGO® fan sites. These are usually the first places that new vacancies are posted.
Another good place to look is on the LEGO® website itself. They occasionally have job openings for designers, although these are usually very competitive.
You can also try contacting LEGO® directly and asking if they have any openings. However, this is usually not the best way to find a job as they tend to get hundreds of requests each day.
The best way to find a job is usually through networking. This means getting in touch with people you know who work for LEGO® or who have connections to the company.
They may be able to put you in touch with the right people or at least give you some advice on how to get your foot in the door.
8. Keep Learning
Even if you are lucky enough to find a job as a LEGO® designer, it is important to keep learning and developing your skills. This is because the competition for jobs is always fierce and you need to make sure that you are always at the top of your game.
One way to do this is by taking courses and attending workshops. There are many courses available that can teach you everything from the basics of LEGO® design to more advanced techniques.
There are also often workshops held by professional LEGO® designers. These are great opportunities to learn from the best in the business and see how they work.
In addition to taking courses and attending workshops, it is also important to keep up with the latest trends in the LEGO® world. This means following fan sites and forums, as well as keeping an eye on the LEGO® website itself.
By doing this, you will always be aware of the latest developments in the world of LEGO® design and you will be able to incorporate them into your own work.
9. Be Patient
One final piece of advice is to be patient. Getting a job as a LEGO® designer is not going to happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a lot of hard work.
So, if you are serious about becoming a LEGO® designer, then you need to be prepared to put in the work. Start by building up your skills and exposure, and then keep learning and networking until you finally get your big break.
With enough determination, anyone can achieve their dream of becoming a LEGO® designer. So, what are you waiting for? Start building your future today!
Conclusion
This is all about how to become a LEGO® designer. Hopefully, you have learned some valuable information if you made it this far.
Becoming a LEGO® designer is not an easy task, but it is certainly achievable if you are willing to put in the time and effort.
Start by building up your skills, exposure, and networks, and then keep learning and expanding your knowledge. With enough determination, you will eventually achieve your goal of becoming a LEGO® designer.
Thanks for reading!