Questions for Creator Expert designers

[Jim]

Thanks guys!

I am not 100% certain I will be interviewing the Creator team. However, don't hesitate to ask questions here.

I will let you know as soon as I know my interview list.

[Digger of Bricks]

4 hours ago, Jim said:

I am not 100% certain I will be interviewing the Creator team.

If not this year, will these questions still perhaps be considered if the chance arises again the following year(s), if they're still of relevance by then? 

4 hours ago, Jim said:

However, don't hesitate to ask questions here.

Alright! Here are two more I thought I'd ask:

• Last year, Lego released a D2C set of a modern Porsche 911 for the Technic theme, with another D2C set of a modern Bugatti Chiron to be released later this year as a follow-up. On the other hand, Creator Expert cars have typically been of non-current, classic automobiles. Is this by design? Are classic automobiles looked at exclusively as candidates for future Creator Expert sets, whereas current models the preferred choice for D2C Technic sets?
• Do you feel that fan-favorite Classic themes like Space, Pirates, and Castle would be better suited for the "Three-In-One" line of Creator sets as opposed to the Expert line? This year, we saw the release of two Creator sets which were lightly inspired after the Classic Pirates line. Could this perhaps be the start of something?

[Bricked1980]

Here's a question I'm curious to know to know the answer to.

I wonder if any of the lego pro's also design their own moc's in their spare time? I'd be interested to know if guys like Jamie Berrard have got their own lego layouts at home filled with their own moc modular buildings.

Or maybe after a hard at the lego office they prefer to hang up the bricks when they get home each night.

Edited May 17, 2018 by Bricked1980

[Digger of Bricks]

• How and why was the Fairground line chosen as a reoccurring subtheme of Creator Expert sets? Also, was there a reason that we didn't see a Fairground themed set in 2016?
• Given the broad nature of the Creator theme as a whole, understandably, the line can cover a wide range of subjects as source material for sets. But, is there any theme or subject that the Creator theme couldn't or wouldn't possibly ever cover? If so, why?
• Why was the Creator Expert theme's last train set (2013's Horizon Express) chosen to be modeled after a European TVG high speed train? Were there any other candidates for inspiration strongly considered at the time when contemplating the next Creator Expert train set?
• Were there any particular reasons that 2016's Volkswagen Beetle was chosen to be built primarily in the color Dark Azure?

[danth]

On 5/16/2018 at 4:17 AM, Digger of Bricks said:

This year, we saw the release of two Creator sets which were lightly inspired after the Classic Pirates line. Could this perhaps be the start of something?

I second this question!

[Digger of Bricks]

• How well acquainted are you with the work of set designers and/or design teams assigned to the development of other themes and product lines? Is each design team's work-in-development kept confidential from other design teams?
• Did you ever work with Warner Brothers during the pre-production of any of their three cinematic Lego Movies released so far? Are you working with them currently on the pre-production of either one of their next upcoming entries into Lego's cinematic film franchise?
• What do you think about the idea of "L-Gauge" locomotives being done for the "Three-In-One" Creator line, perhaps as an alternative to Expert series train sets?
• As of 2017, we have seen four automobiles done for the Creator Expert theme, including 2014's Mini Cooper, 2015's Ferrari F40, 2016's Volkswagen Beetle, and 2017's London Double-Decker Bus, which have all so far been of non-American vehicles. So, does there happen to be any reason for this? Have European models been found to have a broader, more global appeal over American models?

8 hours ago, danth said:

I second this question!

Thanks! Do you perhaps have any other questions that you didn't have a chance to ask last year? 

[Digger of Bricks]

Here are at least two more questions I thought I'd ask, including one I asked last year I figured I'd rephrase:

• How did the Creator Expert subtheme come to be? What was the reasoning for the placement of the "Advanced" line as a subtheme of Creator back in 2013?
• Have 16×32 half-width modular buildings ever been considered before in the past?

[Digger of Bricks]

On 5/8/2017 at 8:06 AM, Jim said:

At the end of this month, I will be attending the LEGO Media Fan Days. I get to interview designers working on TECHNIC and Creator Expert. 

I wonder if there are any questions you like me to ask the Creator Expert designers? I need to send my list before the 15th of May so we have one week to come up with some interesting questions.

So @Jim, may we expect another chance for EB staff to potentially interview any set designers at this year's LEGO Media Fan Days? 

[Jim]

On 5/9/2019 at 3:27 PM, Digger of Bricks said:

So @Jim, may we expect another chance for EB staff to potentially interview any set designers at this year's LEGO Media Fan Days? 

Nope, unfortunately not. I am not attending this year, due to my holiday. Hopefully next year, although attendance is limited, so I am not guaranteed a spot. 

[Digger of Bricks]

4 hours ago, Jim said:

Nope, unfortunately not. I am not attending this year, due to my holiday. Hopefully next year, although attendance is limited, so I am not guaranteed a spot. 

Ah, alright; but, Fan Media Days are definitely happening at the end of this month for 2019 in Billund? * If so, do you know particularly which (if any) Eurobricks staff members may be attending instead? 

* I ask this because many of the other AFOL media outlets I frequent who've attended in previous years haven't said anything about it as the end of this month approaches. 

[Jim]

They are indeed happening, but with a limited number of fan media. Eurobricks is not attending at all. 

[Digger of Bricks]

11 hours ago, Jim said:

They are indeed happening, but with a limited number of fan media.

Thanks for the confirmation!  

I must confess though, I did learn that quite shortly after lamenting the lack of mention from other outlets about the event, as both Brickset and The Brothers Brick finally posted their own invitations for interview questions. 

• The Brothers Brick - Ask LEGO Anything: We’re Talking to LEGO, and We Want Your Help! [News]
• Brickset - What would YOU ask a Designer?

11 hours ago, Jim said:

Eurobricks is not attending at all. 

Oh...