Does LEGO ever publish designer credits?

[klinton]

I'm wondering if the LEGO Group ever produces a list of the designers behind each set?

It never occurred to me before to inquire until recently when someone pointed out on here that the Lego Movie sets and the Ultra Agents sets shared the same design team. I'd been enjoying both lines (as opposed to other sets that weren't working for me), and it suddenly made perfect sense why.

So, I was wondering if there's a way to learn who was behind various sets and look for more of their work when I'm shopping.

Obviously, you can eyeball aesthetics that appeal to you in the finished model, but I'm thinking more about the actual building techniques used in the build.

[talos]

I would like to know. All I have ever seen about who did what set, is from the videos (YouTube or Lego sites) that has a designer showing the features of a set. I am assuming that they are the ones who did the design. Some of the videos are good, shows the thoughts behind some of the features or techniques they used.

[klinton]

I would like to know. All I have ever seen about who did what set, is from the videos (YouTube or Lego sites) that has a designer showing the features of a set. I am assuming that they are the ones who did the design. Some of the videos are good, shows the thoughts behind some of the features or techniques they used.

I love those videos! Which is saying something, as I generally avoid video commentaries (a personal averison of mine).

But, yeah, that's more in line with what I'm after...but a more comprehensive database where I can browse LEGO sets by designer.

I have a hunch a complete list just doesn't exist, but even a resource where I can cobble the information myself from would be awesome! :D

[Robert8]

It would be cool to know who designed each CMF

[Faefrost]

A couple are listed by what sets they were involved with on Brickset. I think MarkStafford, Jamie Berard and Adam Grabowski sp.?) all have some lists out there. It would really be nice to know who the teams were for various sets? It's always fascinating. For those sets we do know the designer on you can start to recognize certain things. And you can watch their work evolve over time with their art. I think of those that do have such lists Mark Staffords is the best for learning to recognize and appreciate it over time. (They are all excellent!) partly because he also adds some nice commentary to each listing that talks about his role in each design, the others involved, etc. just enough to give you a slight peek into the artists heads.

For all three once you look at the Brick lists on Bricksets it becomes very easy to spot their individual design methods and quirks in other sets.

The Lego Designer Videos are great for giving you a more detailed glimpse into the head of the designers regarding single specific sets.

[klinton]

Oooh! Thank you Faefrost! That's pretty much exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. :D

[Steph 104th]

There was a National Geographic Megafactories documentary a few years back it followed the old Police Station set, it spent quite a while with the designers and the people along the production line. I recommend it.

[deraven]

That is an interesting show- even shows the development from concept to sculpture to mold & paint of the new (at the time) police dog/German Shepherd mold amongst other interesting tidbits. You can watch it on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2wah736BAc

[Heppeng]

I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that vehicle registration numbers are comprised of designers initials + set number, so there could be a clue there.

[Cwetqo]

We talked (in Billund) with Mark Stafford (Exo-Suit) and Marcos Bessa (Ecto-1, Arkham Aslyum, Santas Workshop) about that. They said that besides few notable exceptions (promoted to afol community), they dont care that much. There are a lot of them and for most its just a job (although very interesting one). In many cases sets are not even completely done by one designer, so its difficult to say who is the actual designer.

Some EB members even tracked and contacted original designer of first, "yellow" castle (set 375). He was happy to see them, but not quite understand why someone would be interested in this. It never occured to him that this set is such a legend now or that anyone might be interested in who is the designer. For him it was just another job.

Oh, and I also talked to Rok Žgalin Kobe (designer of most latest architecture sets) about that topic. He said that he is very proud that is just on of few designers (besides Adam Reed Tucker and on toher designer) to have his name credited on set box. But technicaly nither he Neither Adam are LEGO deisgners, but hired architects.

Its interesting that we dont know much about designers of city, sw and other themes, but we do know most of the designers of Technic set (I dont know why).

[klinton]

We talked (in Billund) with Mark Stafford (Exo-Suit) and Marcos Bessa (Ecto-1, Arkham Aslyum, Santas Workshop) about that. They said that besides few notable exceptions (promoted to afol community), they dont care that much. There are a lot of them and for most its just a job (although very interesting one). In many cases sets are not even completely done by one designer, so its difficult to say who is the actual designer.

None of this actually surprises me. When I have spoken to members of the design team, they're generally very modest and down to earth people. It's rather refreshing when compared to comic book creators who often behave like tempermental rock stars.

I'm not looking at it from a 'these people should get more credit' POV (that's entirely up to them, should they desire it or not), but merely a personal interest in selecting LEGO kits that are more likely to entertain me.

There is something very special about the designs of most of the sets in both the Ultra Agents and LEGO Movie ranges that just isn't present in other LEGO offerings. The builds are very creative and interesting where other sets have felt more mechanical and left me unsatisfied.

The finished models look fantastic and demand to be displayed and 'played with' (very important, hahaha), where other sets have been torn down and parted out within hours of my having completed them.

[TechniChriS]

I'm wondering if the LEGO Group ever produces a list of the designers behind each set?

It never occurred to me before to inquire until recently when someone pointed out on here that the Lego Movie sets and the Ultra Agents sets shared the same design team. I'd been enjoying both lines (as opposed to other sets that weren't working for me), and it suddenly made perfect sense why.

So, I was wondering if there's a way to learn who was behind various sets and look for more of their work when I'm shopping.

Obviously, you can eyeball aesthetics that appeal to you in the finished model, but I'm thinking more about the actual building techniques used in the build.

One example:

Nathanaël Kuipers is a Dutch design professional. He studied industrial design and engineering at the Hague University. During his studies he regained interest in the LEGO building system. After finishing his studies he got the opportunity to work for the LEGO Company for several years, where he designed mainly Technic models, like 8261, 8271, 8272, 8292, 8674, but was also involved in several other product lines.

More info on:

http://www.nkubate.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=18&Itemid=582

[Duq]

I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that vehicle registration numbers are comprised of designers initials + set number, so there could be a clue there.

That's right. Number plates usually show the designer's initials. Sometimes there's other ways. On the Technic crane 42009 for example there's a sticker '42009 MK II' that refers to designer Markus Kossmann.

[Rolli]

Marcos Bessa lists the sets he designed or where he was part of the design team on his website / portfolio.

Edited September 13, 2014 by Rolli

[klinton]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys! It's much appreciated. :D