Tag Archives: Lego ideas

LEGO mannequin with repositionable limbs makes sketching/animation easier, and can be modified too

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LEGO bricks are often referred to as an architect’s best friend, but it seems like the company’s uniquely benefitting animators too – not through its series of incredibly fun movies, but by this adorable tabletop mannequin. Used by artists and animators alike, the mannequin is a perfect tabletop accessory to help understand human movement, positions, and proportions. Without needing to have an actual human in the room, the LEGO Artist’s Mannequin captures all the articulation and elegance of the human form. This LEGO set boasts an impressive 22 points of articulation, allowing for the accurate representation of human poses and emotions. Ideal for art enthusiasts and LEGO fans alike, this MOC was built by LEGO Ideas user “The LEGO Dark Knight”.

Designer: The LEGO Dark Knight

The LEGO Artist’s Mannequin is a true testament to the versatility of LEGO bricks. Standing at approximately 9-10 inches tall, this figure boasts impressive articulation, allowing artists to pose it in a wide array of positions. The mannequin’s joints, carefully designed and assembled using LEGO Technic elements, mimic human anatomy and offer the flexibility needed for artists to study and accurately capture the essence of the human form.

The mannequin is not only practical but visually captivating as well. Its sleek, all-white design sets it apart from traditional wooden artists’ mannequins, and the unique brick-based construction adds a touch of LEGO charm. It’s a stunning addition to any artist’s studio or LEGO enthusiast’s collection.

What’s truly exciting about the LEGO Artist’s Mannequin is the potential for customization. As with all LEGO creations, the possibilities are endless. Ambitious builders can modify the design, adding different elements like handheld objects, garments, accessories, or even extra limbs/wings to the mannequin. Additionally, you could also create different body types and proportions to explore various artistic styles.

The mannequin also serves as a fantastic teaching tool, introducing children to the concepts of anatomy and proportions in a fun and interactive way. It’s the perfect blend of learning and play, allowing kids and adults alike to tap into their creative potential. Currently a fan-made submission at the LEGO Ideas forum, the LEGO Artist’s Mannequin has 985 votes from the global LEGO community. You can cast your vote for it on the LEGO Ideas website to turn it from a fan-made product to a retail kit.

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LEGO version of ‘The Scream’, Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, looks more unsettling than the original

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LEGO bricks lend themselves rather wonderfully to post-impressionist paintings. We’ve seen Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Sunflowers translate seamlessly into brick-based recreations (even Hokusai’s The Great Wave looks wonderful in LEGO), but there’s something oddly unnerving about this LEGO Ideas MOC of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. LEGO bricks tend to pixelate paintings, diluting their detail and therefore their appeal, but with this fan-made MOC (My Own Creation), the bricks have the opposite effect. The brick diorama looks a little more unsettling than the painting, creating that visual tension that makes you want to simultaneously look at it as well as look away. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Art is supposed to evoke an emotion, and this build definitely does! I’d probably just be a little hesitant if I had to hang this in my living room!

Designer: Spacemanship

“Edvard Munch painted the iconic masterpiece “The Scream” 130 years ago to symbolize his anxiety at that time,” says LEGO builder Spacemanship, who recreated the famous painting using 2999 bricks. His purpose was to give people with anxiety something to channel their feelings into – I’m pretty sure he’s got an audience, given that the LEGO Ideas submission hit the coveted 10,000 votes milestone and will soon be translated into a buyable LEGO kit.

With 2999 pieces, this set showcases the oil paint rendition of The Scream. The boardwalk is composed of wood-patterned tiles, while the cliff on the right and fjord line on the left provide a stunning three-dimensional texture to the background. The central figure can be detached from the frame and features movable parts such as a spinning waist and mouth. Additionally, a minifigure Edvard Munch is cleverly concealed within the skull!

Moreover, the main subject of the painting is detachable too, and can be used as a tabletop accessory or carried around and placed into photos for a dramatic appeal!

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LEGO Lunar Poster is a 2360-piece DIY wall-art that’s perfect for space enthusiasts

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A LEGO Ideas MOC that’s literally ‘out of this world’!

Since pretty much the beginning of time, we’ve been obsessed with the moon. It’s our closest neighbor, influences tides, illuminates our nights, and provides a stunning way to measure the passing of a year, with many cultures relying on a lunar calendar as opposed to a solar one. There’s no denying how important the moon is to humanity, and although there’s probably a very tiny overlap between astronomy geeks and LEGO nerds, the Lego Art space poster “The Moon: Earth’s Companion” sits rather firmly in that tiny overlap. Built with 2360 LEGO bricks, this fan-made creation celebrates the beauty and mystery of the Moon. At its center is a highly detailed, brick-built Moon, complete with unique craters and terrain features that showcase the Moon’s striking geology. The focal point of this creation… a meticulously crafted Moon constructed entirely out of LEGO Art bricks. The level of detail is impressive, with labeled craters and mountains accurately representing the unique geology of our celestial neighbor.

Designer: SharkyBricks

Looking pretty much like a printed poster, however, with the beauty of being three-dimensional, this fan-made MOC comes with a stunning amount of attention to detail. Beyond just the moon itself, the poster contains all sorts of nuggets of information, from a panoramic gallery of the moon phases to a tiny diorama of what the earth looks like from the surface of the moon. You’ve got a tiny information plate on the bottom left, and a scale bar on the bottom right, giving you a size reference in miles (although don’t expect it to be absolutely accurate).

The MOC doesn’t use standard LEGO or Technic bricks, but instead uses bricks from the LEGO Art kit, which are perfect for artistic representations. The tiny bricks aren’t designed to serve structural purposes, but instead are shaped (and are meant to be treated) as pixels, allowing you to build a 2D representation of artwork, with an optional 3D relief twist.

The entire build uses around 2360 pieces and roughly measures 15.5 inches in width, and 20.2 inches in height, making it a little smaller than your standard A2-size poster. It makes for the perfect DIY wall art for any space enthusiast, capturing the beauty of our closest cosmic neighbor in as much realistic detail as a LEGO brick can provide. Just don’t try taking photos of this moon with your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera!

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LEGO version of Among Us turns the thrilling indie game into a fully detailed brick-based diorama

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Designed to mark the breakout murder mystery game’s 5th anniversary, this LEGO Ideas version of Among Us captures the absolute thrill of being a crewmate on board a ship, with a secret imposter lurking around creating havoc for everyone else. Built out by LEGO master builder BrickRealm 101, it features an enlarged diorama with detailed furnishings and custom decals of the most recognizable map from the Among Us universe, the Skeld. The diorama includes popular locations such as the Cafeteria, Storage, Reactor, and many more, accompanied by custom mini-figures (or pets) of the much-loved colorful little Crewmates.

Designer: BrickRealm101

Built out to stunning detail, the entire diorama is made from as many as 2,998 bricks and includes every single prop seen in the game’s visuals. You’ve got all the popular destinations, including the main room with the emergency button that calls for an instant meeting when crewmates want to discuss strategies or cast aspersions on their fellow players to determine who the imposter is. The only things missing are the underground venting system that the imposter can use to move from one room to another, and the bit of outer space that ejected crewmates float through when they’ve been voted out.

The nuclear reactor room with the main reactor

“When I first encountered the game on mobile platforms, I found myself completely immersed in the world and mechanics of Among Us. The controls and rules were simple enough for my friends and me to truly enjoy the gameplay Among Us had to offer,” says the designer, BrickRealm101. “Not only did we have fun playing the role of the Impostor and the Crewmate, but we adored the way you were able to customize a Crewmate of your choice.”

“I felt that this game and the options it offered could translate well into the realm of LEGO, giving the fans of both Among Us and LEGO an opportunity to have fun with their friends while being given the freedom to make their own designs for both the set and the characters as a part of this map,” he adds.

The electrical room where the Imposter goes to manipulate the power supply, and Crewmates go to fix the electrical lines.

Unfortunately, the one thing you can’t do with this diorama is actually play with it. As enticing as it looks and feels, this MOC is purely a hobbyist and collector piece that’s worthy of being put on display, and occasionally roleplaying with… but I do wish there was a way to actually turn it into a board game with the thrilling edge-of-your-seat gameplay.

Close-up of the lower engine in the second engine room

A submission on the LEGO Ideas forum, BrickRealm101’s Among Us: The Skeld MOC (My Own Creation) currently sits with 3,343 votes from the global LEGO community. If it reaches its goal of 10,000 votes, the folks at LEGO will turn it into a retail box set that enthusiasts can buy, build, and cherish. Click here to vote for the Among Us: The Skeld on the LEGO Ideas forum!

Regular Crewmate pieces can be turned into murderous Imposter pieces with a simple swap!

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Gorgeous LEGO hot-rod motorcycle features a brick-based V2 engine with moving pistons

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Looking about as good as something to come out of a branded LEG Technic set, this black beauty holds the honor of being a purely homegrown, fan-made creation using parts from both LEGO and Technic sets. Although this custom motorcycle doesn’t have a name yet, it’s definitely got a spectacular aesthetic and personality, especially with its stripped-down, bobber-inspired style.

Designer: Pale4

This custom skeletal hot rod comes from the mind of LEGO master builder Pale4, created as a part of the LEGO Ideas forum. As eye-catching as it looks, it’s open for further customizations, like shortening the front fork or making the bike bulkier or more embellished. “I’ve always been a fan of custom motorcycles. Since customizing motorcycles is hugely popular I thought designing one which could be customized by builder after building would be a great set for fans of Lego and Lego Technic”, Pale4 said.

To Pale4’s credit, the bike has a level of detail that I haven’t seen in most Technic kits too. It’s got disc brakes with brake lines connecting all the way to the handlebars, a detailed dashboard, fuel tank, V2 engine, gearbox, and even a functional kickstand to have the bike parked. The black aesthetic definitely feels like a choice that works, and if Pale4 could make the headlamp and taillight work, this would be an absolute winner of a fan-made MOC.

The Custom Motorcycle is at a staggering 1:5 scale, making it pretty big even by LEGO Technic standards. That “makes it a showstopper when displayed”, says Pale4, who’s currently gathered 1683 votes from the LEGO community at the time of writing this article. If they reach the coveted spot of 10,000 votes, the LEGO Ideas team will turn the fan-made MOC into a box-set that anyone can buy and build. Click here to cast your vote!

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Adorably functional LEGO Swiss-army multitool actually has implements that you could use!

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Styled to look like the iconic Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, this fan-made LEGO MOC (my own creation) has some usable tools like the brick separator, screwdriver, magnifying glass, and Technic axle, along with a few others like the belt-punch and corkscrew. Some might even call it a Brick Army Knife! The fan-made build currently sits in LEGO’s Ideas forum, with 4,522 votes from the community.

“Inspired by the variety of multi-tools available in everyday life, I decided to create one designed specifically for LEGO fans,” says Tall Brick Guy, the creator of the LEGO Multi-Tool. “Of course, the most important tool in any LEGO builder’s arsenal is the Brick Separator, and so I began working on a way to incorporate this classic, although oddly shaped, piece into a compact, functional build.”

Designer: Tall Guy Brick

All the tools fit rather perfectly into the iconic red rounded outer body, with independently articulating swivel joints that let you pull out tools when you need them and put them back in when you’re done. Its customizable design lets you add or remove tools, and even change the faceplate color to match your sense of style. My favorite detail, however, is that adorable LEGO motif on the faceplate, exactly where you’d expect the Swiss flag or the Victorinox logo. The entire contraption is pretty compact, measuring 14 studs or a little less than 4.5 inches in length. The only thing really missing here is a neat lanyard hole!

A part of the LEGO Ideas forum, the fan-made MOC needs to reach the threshold 10,000 votes to be turned into an official LEGO product. You can vote for the LEGO Multi-Tool by clicking here.

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Oddly satisfying LEGO Hourglass actually counts down the time with tiny brick granules

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Tick… tock… brick… tock…

While the internet is obsessed with videos of regular everyday items that are actually made out of cake, there’s a strong, growing subculture of people who feel the same way about LEGO bricks. Meet the LEGO Ideas Forum, an ardent community of hundreds of thousands of LEGO enthusiasts who build, appreciate, and vote for designs made entirely out of LEGO bricks. From semi-functioning Polaroids to actual working flip-clocks, there’s a LEGO build for everything your eye can see. If the fully functional flip-clock wasn’t impressive enough, someone’s actually built a LEGO version of an hourglass that legit works too. Arguably much more tricky to build than a mechanical clock (since that operates on a straightforward array of gears), this hourglass relies on a LEGO transparent chamber that holds actual LEGO brick granules which slide down from the upper vial to the lower vial, counting down time as they succumb to gravity.

Designer: Brick Dangerous

The entire LEGO build is made of just 575 pieces – that’s including the ‘sand’ inside the hourglass. There are a few artistic details on the side in the form of gears that rotate, although they serve no functional purpose. One would expect them to help flip the hourglass over, but it seems like that isn’t the case. To reset the hourglass, you need to manually turn the device 180° and the LEGO particles begin their downward journey once again.

LEGO Master Builder ‘Brick Dangerous’ built this creation in three color variants, although with the schematic you could pretty much create your own color scheme too (maybe use multicolored sand as well). Their design currently sits in the LEGO Ideas forum, gathering votes from other LEGO enthusiasts. With over 7000 votes collected so far, the LEGO Hourglass is just inches away from its 10,000-vote goalpost, after which the LEGO Ideas board will take the conceptual creation and turn it into a retail box set. Interested in giving this design your vote? You can head to the page here.

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You can now play your own World Cup with this fully functional LEGO Foosball Table!

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Watch as football icons Thierry Henry and Marcus Rashford battle it out on this mini LEGO foosball table in the video above…

With its DIY design that lets you even customize the players down to their jerseys, hairstyles, and skin colors, the LEGO Table Football MOC may just be the coolest interactive build of all time! The fully operational tabletop game is made up of 2339 LEGO elements, has 5 players on each team, and even comes with its own dugout that also doubles up as the audience while you play a quick game of soccer… ahem, football.

Designer: Donát Fehérvári

Click Here to Buy Now

Unlike most LEGO Ideas that exist as fan-made concepts garnering support on LEGO’s fan forum, this creation from Donát Fehérvári actually made it to becoming a box set. Fehérvári debuted this MOC (My Own Creation) back in 2021 as a submission to LEGO’s We Love Sports online competition. Winning the Grand Prize with 1244 votes, the build even got a nod of approval from the LEGO Ideas Review Board, which agreed to turn it into a box set available for people to buy. Just in time for the FIFA World Cup, that too!

The set is relatively easy to construct, and models itself on the traditional foosball table, albeit with a smaller footprint and just 5 players on each side as opposed to the traditional table that has as many as 11 players per team. The players are controlled by poles that can be pushed, pulled, or even turned to have the foosballers move around and kick the tiny white plastic foosball. Goal counters above each goalpost let you count as many as 5 goals – perfect for a short game spanning a few minutes.

What’s remarkable about the LEGO Table Football, however, is its inclusivity. The set allows you to build 22 minifigures (with 12 of them waiting in the dugout while 10 play on the field) of varying ethnicities and personalities. The kit includes 44 different heads and 43 hairstyle types, letting you play with both male and female players. The accompanying dugout (or cheering station) lets you store the extra heads and wigs underneath, and perhaps my favorite element is the tiny trophy cup included with the set that goes to the victor of the game!

Click Here to Buy Now

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This antique lamp is made entirely out of LEGO bricks… and it has actual working LEDs inside it

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The Staff Picks section of the LEGO Ideas forum remains one of my favorite places to visit on the internet. It’s filled with genuinely creative people who know how to realize their ideas while simultaneously working around constraints. How else would you build something as beautiful as this antique lamp that ACTUALLY works?!

Rather simply dubbed the LED Lamp, this creation from LEGO builders Castor-Troy and Max Brich models itself on the Tiffany-style stained-glass lamps from the older days. Originally popularized by Louis Comfort Tiffany (a stained-glass artist from the late 19th century), the lamps are characterized by an Art Nouveau-inspired form and a tinted glass shade that would often fill a room with fragments of colored light. While it would seem impossible to us common folk to make such an intricate lamp out of LEGO bricks, Castor-Troy and Brich rather effortlessly put this beautiful piece together in under 800 pieces… an achievement in itself!

Designers: Castor-Troy and Max Brich

The lamp comes with a rather ornate central shaft, connecting the base to its pièce de résistance – the decorative lampshade. Underneath the shade sits two LEGO 2 Powered UP Light modules, giving the lamp a total of 4 LEDs. While it isn’t powerful to light up an entire room, the Tiffany Lamp was always a dim ambient light source with an artistic appeal, so its LEGO counterpart definitely ticks those boxes.

A look underneath the hood reveals the two Powered UP LED modules

The lamp’s decorative design does absolute justice to its inspiration. It even comes with a faux chain-switch hanging from underneath the shade (which would be used to switch the lamp on or off). To power this lamp, however, there’s a manual switch on the base that needs to be flipped.

Moreover, Castor-Troy and Brich believe that the lamp can be expanded further by adding more ornate details to its design. In fact, to show how versatile even this current design is, they provided color options for the shade, choosing from an entire palette of translucent LEGO Bricks!

An entry on the LEGO Ideas forum, the LED Lamp currently has just over 5,000 votes from the global LEGO community. If it hits its goal of 10,000 votes, the folks at LEGO will turn it into a retail box-set that people just like us can buy and decorate their homes with! Click here to vote for the LED Lamp on the LEGO Ideas forum!

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Someone built a LEGO Flip Clock that actually tells the time and now I want one for my desk…

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It’s flipping amazing!

Nothing embodies the spirit of design better than the LEGO Ideas forum. Most people look at a handful of LEGO bricks and see them as constraints (because of their blockish nature), but the LEGO Ideas forum is filled with hundreds of thousands of ideas for products, sculptures, and other incredible installations that JUST use LEGO bricks (we’ve covered our fair share of them too)! It’s the perfect embodiment of working within constraints to deliver great ideas and results! Mirroring that spirit is Sariel Bricks & Pets’ LEGO Flip Clock, which looks and functions exactly like old-timey mechanical flip clocks, and even uses the exact same gear design and mechanism to tell the time. The impressive part? Everything you see is made exclusively from LEGO bricks… barring the number stickers on the flip panels, of course!

Designer: Sariel Bricks & Pets

There’s something incredibly satisfying about Sariel’s intricately built LEGO MOC (My Own Creation). The panels, frame, gear systems, and even the motor are all LEGO products. Standing 44 cm wide and 15 cm tall (17.4″ by 5.9″), the LEGO Flip Clock features a 10:1 gear ratio for counting down the minutes, and a 12:1 gear ratio for the hours (allowing it to reset every 12 hours). The only visual flaw here (and this is purely subjective) is the fact that the minute numbers aren’t as close together as you’d expect, which means it’s easy to read the time as 08:5:3 rather than 08:53. As far as problems go, that one isn’t too big and once you get the hang of it, you can look past the visual gap rather easily. Setting/adjusting the time on this clock may present a bit of a challenge, however.

Look over at the back and you’ll see that the clock runs on a LEGO motor too. Master Builder Sariel chose the LEGO motor not just for its compatibility, but also for the fact that it’s quieter than other RC motors. This means all you really hear with the Flip Clock are the panels periodically flipping over, making a rather satisfying click sound.

Sariel’s functional mechanical LEGO Flip Clock currently has the support of 2,022 voters on the LEGO Ideas platform. If they reach the coveted mark of 10,000 votes, LEGO will turn the MOC into a box-set that people can buy, build, and own! If you want to help Sariel Bricks & Pets achieve their goal, click here to visit the project page and cast your vote for the MOC!

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