Why to we feel the need to modify?

[__________________________]

Say another builder posts an LXF, I always feel the need to modify it, change the colors, add something.

Do others feel this?

Is there anyone who is an psychology who knows more about the why this of?

[AmperZand]

I often modify TLG's designs because I don't care for all of the look or functionality (I'm looking at you, flick fire missiles!) of the original. Some of TLG's design decisions are driven by price, by what kids prefer or what they can construct. As I'm not under the same constraints, I can go beyond what they have done. Here's an example of a mod I made to Dragon Mountain's castle:

It's not a compulsion though. Sometimes I use TLG's designs as sold. I suspect that for some AFOLs who do mod compulsively, it's either the result of an over-active imagination or compensation for a sense of inferiority ("I can do better than that because I'm brilliant. Look at my improvements.") or a combination of the two. That last bit wasn't aimed at anyone in particular and isn't intended to offend.

[xboxtravis7992]

I mostly prefer stock sets, unless there is a REAL need to modify it for play or mechanical issues. For example the last permanent mod I made was to a Protector of Fire Bionicle set. The original set didn't have proper elbows or wrists!

Other times I build or design accessories for use with official sets. My Maersk Train has a facade of "boxes" in the containers, not a huge mod but something that adds to the set's design.

[AnnaBuildsLego]

I have a pretty weird answer to this, I guess. I was in my Dark Ages from the second half of 2010 through to this year, having been an avid collector of LEGO prior to 2010. Back then, I would always built my sets exactly as instructed, including applying stickers - this was because I was not only a LEGO purist, but I am autistic and one of the things I struggle with is spatial awareness and memory, so I simply wasn't able to remember how to implement techniques I had already encountered which could have improved my models.

If I could build an extremely simple tree by myself to add to a display, it was a massive victory for me. I still remember feeling very proud of building a simple LEGO bench for my minifigures to sit on in my City park, and I still do feel happy with such simple changes. I also remember slightly changing the interior of the old 2007 Service Station, and really being happy with that.

A lot has changed for me since 2010, and I've really gotten comfortable with being autistic and have worked on the challenges. Since getting back into LEGO - while I still struggle with MOCing - I've been incredibly excited about altering my sets and making things uniquely my own creations. I've never felt this excited about it! As it stands, I have a big unopened Pet Shop waiting for me as soon as I finish a college assignment, and one of the main reasons I can't wait to build it is so that I can deck out the apartment building in my own way.

Essentially: I don't know why we get the inclination to modify LEGO sets, but the beauty of LEGO is that you can, and it enables you to create something that is entirely your own. It's also just a thoroughly rewarding experience, whether it's a gigantic mod or something very simple - it's something you can be proud of.

[Im a brickmaster.]

My main drive to modify is rooted in the question 'Is it accurate enough?' If the over all build can be added to in some way by you the builder, then by almeans you should at least try to the best of your ability. And also I think it puts your own stamp on sets. Who wants their, lets say palace cinema, to be the same as every one else's? Half the fun is working sets into your own world!

[Junior Shark]

Everyone has their own personal taste in aesthetics. I don't always modify my sets, but when I do, it's just cuz I've got an itchin' to do so or something just doesn't feel right about the stock set.

[__________________________]

I have a pretty weird answer to this, I guess. I was in my Dark Ages from the second half of 2010 through to this year, having been an avid collector of LEGO prior to 2010. Back then, I would always built my sets exactly as instructed, including applying stickers - this was because I was not only a LEGO purist, but I am autistic and one of the things I struggle with is spatial awareness and memory, so I simply wasn't able to remember how to implement techniques I had already encountered which could have improved my models.

If I could build an extremely simple tree by myself to add to a display, it was a massive victory for me. I still remember feeling very proud of building a simple LEGO bench for my minifigures to sit on in my City park, and I still do feel happy with such simple changes. I also remember slightly changing the interior of the old 2007 Service Station, and really being happy with that.

A lot has changed for me since 2010, and I've really gotten comfortable with being autistic and have worked on the challenges. Since getting back into LEGO - while I still struggle with MOCing - I've been incredibly excited about altering my sets and making things uniquely my own creations. I've never felt this excited about it! As it stands, I have a big unopened Pet Shop waiting for me as soon as I finish a college assignment, and one of the main reasons I can't wait to build it is so that I can deck out the apartment building in my own way.

Essentially: I don't know why we get the inclination to modify LEGO sets, but the beauty of LEGO is that you can, and it enables you to create something that is entirely your own. It's also just a thoroughly rewarding experience, whether it's a gigantic mod or something very simple - it's something you can be proud of.

I am autistic as well!

My spatial reasoning skills are average- and that is after 17 years of the hobby.

Do you see Lego as a way to improve remedial visual-spatial skills?

No offense intended here at all.

[dr_spock]

I have no desire to modify LDD LXF files. LEGO sets, on the other hand, some personalization doesn't hurt.

[AnnaBuildsLego]

I am autistic as well!

My spatial reasoning skills are average- and that is after 17 years of the hobby.

Do you see Lego as a way to improve remedial visual-spatial skills?

No offense intended here at all.

Hey LegoExpert! That's awesome, it's always great to meet fellow autistic LEGO fans! No offense taken, don't see why it would be!

I definitely would say so, yeah! At least, it has certainly helped me. I've recently been rebuilding old sets (mainly because of wanting to make sure all the parts are there, and because my old sets gathered a lot of dust over my Dark Ages) and I've noticed many things I got wrong when I originally built the sets - stickers in the wrong places, stickers the wrong way around, pieces incorrectly placed, etc. There are also a lot of pieces I used to get confused by, like triangular plates that would point one way or another, but I couldn't tell the difference between them. These aren't as much of a problem anymore, because building my own things has helped me to figure out the different pieces.

It's certainly helped with spatial awareness, because now I've been able to create some slightly larger things than I was able to make before, completely out of my own head. I'm also made a bit spatially aware by counting studs and building all my things on baseplates, so I can measure the available space on my desk in the amount of baseplates that can be put on there. I've been able to visualise things in my own mind a little bit clearer too. LEGO is so helpful and therapeutic!

[__________________________]

Hey LegoExpert! That's awesome, it's always great to meet fellow autistic LEGO fans! No offense taken, don't see why it would be!

I definitely would say so, yeah! At least, it has certainly helped me. I've recently been rebuilding old sets (mainly because of wanting to make sure all the parts are there, and because my old sets gathered a lot of dust over my Dark Ages) and I've noticed many things I got wrong when I originally built the sets - stickers in the wrong places, stickers the wrong way around, pieces incorrectly placed, etc. There are also a lot of pieces I used to get confused by, like triangular plates that would point one way or another, but I couldn't tell the difference between them. These aren't as much of a problem anymore, because building my own things has helped me to figure out the different pieces.

It's certainly helped with spatial awareness, because now I've been able to create some slightly larger things than I was able to make before, completely out of my own head. I'm also made a bit spatially aware by counting studs and building all my things on baseplates, so I can measure the available space on my desk in the amount of baseplates that can be put on there. I've been able to visualise things in my own mind a little bit clearer too. LEGO is so helpful and therapeutic!

:thumbup:

We should have a thread about autistics or something lol

I often modify TLG's designs because I don't care for all of the look or functionality (I'm looking at you, flick fire missiles!) of the original. Some of TLG's design decisions are driven by price, by what kids prefer or what they can construct. As I'm not under the same constraints, I can go beyond what they have done. Here's an example of a mod I made to Dragon Mountain's castle:

It's not a compulsion though. Sometimes I use TLG's designs as sold. I suspect that for some AFOLs who do mod compulsively, it's either the result of an over-active imagination or compensation for a sense of inferiority ("I can do better than that because I'm brilliant. Look at my improvements.") or a combination of the two. That last bit wasn't aimed at anyone in particular and isn't intended to offend.

This is a great mod, +1

[Hobo Fett]

keep modding!