How your building style has changed

[Kelkschiz]

Very interesting topic!

I think I gained a much better understanding of how LEGO works, in particular about the studless and snot techniques work. Also through building them, I've learned a lot about how certain vehicles work internally. My style has refined itself, I can now build things that amaze me. It's a wonderful experience.

In about five years I went from this:

 

To this:

 

 

[nerdsforprez]

This is a terrific topic, but I do feel that I add a different spin on things. 

I see less change in my building "style" and more in my overall approach to the hobby as a function of determinants that drive it (for me). probably an unnecessarily complicated way of saying it, but essentially I see my approach to the hobby changing as my needs for the hobby change.  For example, right now (well, for the last few years) my employment has taken a good, but increasingly demanding toll on me.  Though I still come home with sufficient energy to build, it is more passive than active.  Or at least more passive than it has been in the past.  Not so passive that regular, official Lego builds satisfy me, but more complicated MOCs from some renowned builders do.  On top of that, adding changes or improvements have also been a lot of fun for me during this period.  

I think creating one's own MOC is more challenging, but more importantly, as least for me, there seems to be some unwritten element of ownership when building a MOC that is additionally taxing.  I find it really interesting that I have no problem leaving a build of someone elses MOC for weeks on end if I cannot get to it; but if it is a MOC it is generally somewhat taxing to leave something for any amount of time without working on it. I seem to have this subtle, yet present, sense of "unfinished business" that I find unsettling.....  For some reason a MOC is a my "project" and I have enough of those going on at work.  When completing something of others, or improving it in my mind it doesn't seem to take on that definition.  Its just a way to relax.  Like watching television or something. 

Anyways, this is a change I have seen in my approach to the hobby in the last several years.  But it seems to work for me.  I seem to be enjoying the hobby as much as ever, and more importantly it seems to be as restorative as ever so that when I get back to work I feel rejuvenated.....

[1gor]

42 minutes ago, nerdsforprez said:

This is a terrific topic, but I do feel that I add a different spin on things. I see less change in my building "style" and more in my overall approach to the hobby as a function of determinants that drive it (for me).

 

I think that is best explanation, that happened to us all but we Did not notice it

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Very interesting topic!

My attitude, rather than style, has always been that I should apply the same rules on my builds Lego use on the official stuff. But being a rebel, I for example would also allow me to take elasticity into account and sometimes slightly preload a beam to give the structure more stiffness, or place studs in the glorious patented middle tube, which you would never see Lego do. But it works. And does not damage the parts. C'mon!

I don't think my "style" has ever changed. I set myself goals in relation to the material I have at disposal, and do my best to come up with something elegant, reliable and fun.
I grew up to be an engineer. My sense for elegance surely has refined, but it's essentially the parts available that dictate most of the style of my builds.

I always had limited parts available. But I think I like it that way.
I had 8855 and 8854. My cousin had 8865. This of course meant I had to build a full suspension car with hydraulic cushions to have a cooler model than his. And make do without those dedicated front axle elements.

I remember having experienced dressing up Technic chassis with city plates and bricks, and came to the conclusion that this was only worth the while if the colors matched, the shape worked and the body remained light and tough. Which requires a lot of parts. Then came the Model Team. I loved them (this year's Mack reminds me a lot of that era, by the way). I couldn't tell it was my "style" though, I still liked the lightness of Technic hollow beams and the fact you could show things working inside.
Whether I chose one, the other or a balanced mix of these two building techniques depends on what I try to achieve, not on a personal preference.

Compared to when I was a kid, I sure have more money now. But I also have a whole lot less time, and paradoxically less room. So in order to compose with my wife and kids, my other hobbies and my job, I have less Lego bricks than I would want. My latest Red Buggy for example, took me a just few evenings to build, but I simply couldn't stop until it was finished. I can't do this all the time...
At least for the time being. Because I like crazy builds. And my kids will eventually grow up. And then..! 

Edited February 26, 2019 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[suffocation]

My building "skills" get worse by the day, possibly because I keep switching back and forth between Sagrantino, Passito and Nero d'Avola. Come summer I'll be guzzling local craft IPA by the gallon and my blood will have been replaced by a steadily oozing sludge of pork fat and alcohol, so the most I'll be able to moc will be a pin in a box.

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

19 minutes ago, suffocation said:

My building "skills" get worse by the day, possibly because I keep switching back and forth between Sagrantino, Passito and Nero d'Avola. Come summer I'll be guzzling local craft IPA by the gallon and my blood will have been replaced by a steadily oozing sludge of pork fat and alcohol, so the most I'll be able to moc will be a pin in a box.

Cheers! 

[NKubate]

I find it difficult to assess the changes in my building style (if we disregard the time before my dark ages). When it comes to describing building skills, then I would say that my designs have become more refined and efficient over the years due to experience, but can this be considered a change in style..? Furthermore, during the years I have been building there has been a shift to fully studless and in more recent years there has been an explosion of new parts. All these factors of course play a big role in the way we build, learning to adapt to the changes we face.