Life like or LEGO-like?

This can be a bit hard to get your head around, but bear with us please!

If we’re building a commission for you - do you want the model to look like the real item? Or do you want it to look like a LEGO model of the real item?

Life like

This is perhaps the easiest option to explain. We can try to build a model that is as accurate and like life as possible. We’ll use all the bricks and colours available and spend a long time working out how to use the right bricks to make everything fit.

It sounds like the obvious choice - but take a look at this image to the right. Is this part of a LEGO model, or is it a stone sculpture?

Maybe if we zoom out a bit, it will be easier to see:

Now that you can see the whole figure, it should be easier to recognise that this model is made from LEGO. It is actually part of LEGOLand Billund, in Denmark. The statue is many meters high, but if we are building a large model - the question is ‘do you want it to look like LEGO?’ If we build as life-like as possible, you might not be able to tell!

LEGO-like

If we build a model to be ‘LEGO-like’, it will be obvious that it’s a LEGO model of something. We will, on purpose, NOT make the model as exact as we could. This means that to a normal visitors eye, they know that it’s built from LEGO bricks.

There are a few ways in which we can do this - we’ll work with you to decide the best option.

Scaling up

Sometimes if you want a ‘LEGO’ cat, the best way to get that across is to build a model of a cat from LEGO bricks, but follow the design of the LEGO cat itself. Like these models below;

Doubling or Quad-scale building

Especially if we’re making a simple shape, like the heart or ball below - we’ll suggest double or quad scaling the model. That means that even from a distance you’ll be able to see that the model is made from bricks. For a quad scale model, we’ll use 4 bricks instead of 2. It’s how our BIG Builds work and they are great for events.

Forced Perspective

You’ll have seen this if you’ve ever been to a Disney park. Whilst Cinderellas castle looks huge - it’s really not that big! Disney use forced perspective to create something smaller than it should be - without you noticing. So do we.

Take a look at these two pictures of the same castle. From a distance, you’d never realise just how small the castle is!

In a LEGO model, we might use this technique - or reverse it. Whichever works best. A common example of this are bridges. If we ever build a model of a bridge it will likely be much shorter than it should be. This makes the model much more interesting as viewers never normally realise how long and thin bridges are!

Cartoon-ify or characature

The final style we might use for a model is to characature it. Sometimes called ‘Chibli’, we’ll emphasise some parts of the model to make them more fun, exciting or interesting. This might be as simple as adding minifigures, or we might use an oversized LEGO element to add a little fun. This LEGO dinosaur is obviously wrong for a model of a museum - but it works!