Why do you exhibit at LEGO shows?

[Blue Wren]

I was wondering what motivates builders to display their MOCs publicly. Is it simply the enjoyment of seeing people’s reaction to your building skills/imagination or something more?

My builds appeal to a small audience because of my aesthetic (fairytale themes and I love to use pink elements) so they’re never going to be the most popular exhibit. But I love to create something that in my mind is beautiful, challenges my building skills, and hopefully appeals to a few people.

Some exhibitors I’ve met build with the sole purpose of trying to attract the biggest crowd, win an award or get blogged about.

So I thought I’d put the question out there - what motivates you to display your MOCs at shows?

[Zerobricks]

I use to display my MOCs when I was in our Lego club. There was awlays that element of I wonder what others are gonna bring and you were also wondering what others are gonna say about your stuff. Usally it was a win-win sistation, people were impresssed with your models, and you saw lots of awesome models other did. Also making your models move makes them so much more interesting for the public. Too bad that later there was some difference of opinion of the club and I was for lack of better words expelled, so yeah no more local shows for me.

[Blue Wren]

Sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience with your LEGO Club, Zblj. I agree that models that move (Technic, Great Ball Contraptions etc) are really interesting for the public and capture their attention - I'm in awe of builders who have the skill and imagination to create them.

[Zerobricks]

Sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience with your LEGO Club, Zblj. I agree that models that move (Technic, Great Ball Contraptions etc) are really interesting for the public and capture their attention - I'm in awe of builders who have the skill and imagination to create them.

Its quite funny... I am tending to wanna create more studded bricks lately, not just usual technical stuff. Anyway back to exhibitions, I really love Legoworls exhibitions, having been there once its a great place to meet lots of famous builders IRL.

[robuko]

I mostly like meeting the other builders, I get inspiration from setting how they choose, approach and solve problems. The guys here in HK are awesome.

[mechamike]

What motivates med to show my MOC's at shows? Well a few things

1. To see the happy/interested faces of the kids, non afols (and fellow afols) when they are looking at my MOC's

2. To hear the praise and tips for improvements.

3. To make sure that Swebrick (my Local LUG) stays a great and active Lug.

4. To show other adults that You can have Lego as a hobby and be proud of it.

5. To meet new and interesting people and to spread the hobby to others.

6. To get a bunch of nice memories and stuff to laugh about later.

7. To know that all those hours of hard work building and seaching for THAT brick and all that money spent on Bricklink at least contributed to the list above

[Blue Wren]

What motivates med to show my MOC's at shows? Well a few things

1. To see the happy/interested faces of the kids, non afols (and fellow afols) when they are looking at my MOC's

2. To hear the praise and tips for improvements.

3. To make sure that Swebrick (my Local LUG) stays a great and active Lug.

4. To show other adults that You can have Lego as a hobby and be proud of it.

5. To meet new and interesting people and to spread the hobby to others.

6. To get a bunch of nice memories and stuff to laugh about later.

7. To know that all those hours of hard work building and seaching for THAT brick and all that money spent on Bricklink at least contributed to the list above

Mechamike, this is a wonderful list! I can totally relate to #7.

Robuko, I agree that meeting builders is one of the great benefits of exhibiting. I have found most builders to be very welcoming and encouraging.

[Paul B Technic]

I display for a few reasons:

- To share what I do with other people, both inside and outside the LEGO hobby.

- To see the enjoyment on other peoples faces

- To share my enjoyment for the hobby and to encourage other adults to take it up.

- To give me something to blog about ;)

Edited September 2, 2014 by Paul B

[Jared]

Basically for most of the reasons above.

I also do it so I have an excuse to show up and hang out with friends from my LUG. ;)

Seriously though, it's an absolute pleasure to see the looks of bewilderment and amazement on both the faces of adults and children.

[kibosh]

I display my models with my LUG for many of the reasons already stated. I like to share my hobby with others. I love to see all the smiling faces and answers questions about our displays.

I think the biggest reason I do it is because I spend so much time and money on my models, and no one used to see them. Just me and my family. I feel like they deserve to be shown off.

[Blue Wren]

Paul B, Jared and kibosh - thank you for sharing. Your sentiments show the LEGO community really is generous.

I think the biggest reason I do it is because I spend so much time and money on my models, and no one used to see them. Just me and my family. I feel like they deserve to be shown off.

Another great point!

[mechamike]

A really good thing about showing your Moc's in real life, is that they look really nice without hours of preparation setting up a lightbox ,adjusting lightning, photoshopping and a expensive camera system.. the moc is judged , not your photo skills..