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In recent years, the commissioning of custom LEGO models has become increasingly popular for any number of businesses and institutions.
Whether an architectural replica of an iconic building or a product model to show off at a trade event, these models can be a creative way of showing off your business, but how does the commissioning process actually work?
From initial discussions about general goals to the final model build, here’s what you can expect from most LEGO model commissions.
Finding a service
The first step will be to find a service that specialises in LEGO model making. There are only a few around, such as Bricks McGee, and it’s important that you find an option that’s dealt with similar projects to yours in the past, at least in terms of project scale and creative direction.
Concept exploration
Once you’ve found a suitable service provider, the commissioning process will likely start with a general conversation about your goals.
A good LEGO model maker will be able to help you define your vision, based on your more abstract ideas and project requirements. Ultimately, this is their job, to translate your ideas into a physical LEGO model.
Design iteration
Once the general goals and scope of the project have been determined, design iteration can begin. What this looks like will depend on the complexity and scale of the project in question, but it could include digital models and small LEGO prototypes.
The LEGO team will then be able to adjust the design, based on the feedback they get from the client, until both parties are satisfied.
Model build
Once the design has been finalised, the team can get started on the actual physical build. If the model is going to be left on display, or needs to be shipped, then it’s possible that the pieces will need to be glued together.
For some builds, the pieces might be left unglued for greater flexibility. The design team will go through any options with you, so that you’re able to make an informed decision.
A rough timeline
How long a model might take to build will really depend on the scope of the project. However, once a design has been approved, most custom model projects will be ready to ship in around 4-8 weeks.
How long it takes to get to the client from start to finish will obviously also depend on the design process, and to a lesser extent, on the shipping location. If you have a tight deadline, it’s important that you communicate this to the service provider at the very beginning, so that they can let you know whether meeting that deadline is realistic.
Getting a custom LEGO model commissioned is an exciting process, and you should make sure that it stays fun and creative. Whether it’s for a personal, commemorative project or a business trade show, these models can be a great solution, and it’s fun to work with expert designers who are so passionate about bringing abstract concepts to life through their builds.
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