populating City - for begginers

[Angeli]

Hi guys :)

We started some pretty hard project, a city made out of 40x3 32x32 baseplates - last row mainly modulars second mostly streets and first one mostly parks.

Now, here is the problem - that is a lot of free space for minifigs to do something, and there is consensus that every minifig has to have a reason for being or doing what it does when placed on moc

Could you point us to topics with interestly populated city streets? I've been browsing trough index, but had little luck yet

Thank you :)

[iammac]

I see what you mean...It is difficult to find any sort of minifigure attraction. Here are a few ideas you might consider:

dog walkers

cycling

outside dining

street performances

garage sales

crosswalks/bus stops

political rally

vendor salesmen

man spilling his briefcase

mail delivery

street sweeper

criminal ripping off ATM machine

couples canoodling

tourists getting their picture taken

runaway hair

spilled ice cream

garage band trying to sell their first album

gardening crews

traffic signal repairman

etc.

Just people doing things that people commonly do, if that's what you're after.

May I also point you towards Jangbricks' YouTUBE channel? He frequently posts updates on his massive city layout. Perhaps he might have some ideas for you....

https://youtu.be/f9pHgupfR48

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[Mesabi]

I'd just look for some refernence pictures of people in a park, and recreate it with minifigs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Sunday_Afternoon_on_the_Island_of_La_Grande_Jatte maybe?

[gotoAndLego]

Just search flickr for layouts and do similar things.

[mangotshihtzu]

cool

Edited September 4, 2023 by mangotshihtzu
Didnt like my post

[Angeli]

thank you, guys, this was very helpful, especially your suggestions, iammac :)

[ecmo47]

Take a look at this thread of my layout:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102373&st=25

[Severus A]

You should also add some people with disabilities and some special installations for them (eg. wheel chair, ramps, parking places, white walking stick etc ) It is not hard to make this things in LEGO® elements and also, in real life, this kind of persons are part of the city community.

[ritzcrackerman]

I'm of the opinion that every character needs to have a story and a reason for being there. It can be hard to keep track of, but that's part of the fun and the commitment to detail. In addition to characters featuring different walks of life - try to create some type of backstory that justifies them being there.

Once you really immerse yourself into the scene - it's not just you populating it with static figures.

Try also to focus on interactions, what your characters may be doing with one another.

[Angeli]

I also have few questions about modulars: there will be 40 houses in one line - what would you reccomend for the hight of each building, and variations?

[gotoAndLego]

I think having them all the same height is boring.

[Cwetqo]

3x40 is very long and narrow and if you will have just one same tpye on all length (modular-road-park), it will look boring. If I understand correctly, there will be no train?

As for minifigures: I think its best to just gather few hundred of all types and distribute and pose them on site.

[iammac]

thank you, guys, this was very helpful, especially your suggestions, iammac :)

My pleasure Angeli! I look forward to seeing your layout!