Welcome to today's interview! We are joined by Alex Storozhuk, a.k.a. adwind. Some of you may remember Alex for his fantastic Home Alone LEGO Ideas set, but he's back with not just, but two ideas in this review! If you're interested in seeing either THE POLAR EXPRESS 20TH ANNIVERSARY or CHIP N’ DALE: RESCUE RANGER as the next LEGO Ideas set, let us know in the comments!
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
Hi everyone - I’m Alex Storozhuk
- Where are you from?
I am from Ukraine, from a lovely city of Vinnitsa.
- How old are you?
I’m 30 now, but by the time of posting this interview, I’ll be 31-years-young.
- What do you study or do for a living?
I have a medical degree. I work as a teacher at a university in the morning and then in the afternoon, I work for an American logistics company as a dispatcher where I lead a small team.
- What hobbies do you have?
Well, The LEGO hobby is quite an obvious one; I do love to build, create, collect and play with my daughter! Family road trips are another weakness of mine. They just make me so happy, especially when I am exploring mountains and rolling hills during the summer. I dabble in drone flights, which goes nicely alongside the road tripping, but these waters are still sort of unexplored for me - I just didn’t have enough time yet. I also enjoy playing guitar and doing some fitness, although these two don’t get as much attention recently as they did a few years ago. I value good animation movies a lot!
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
I upload my works both to YouTube and Instagram.
- Have you created any LEGO MOCs (my own creations) that you’re particularly proud of? What is it, why are you proud of it and do you have a photo of it?
One of the recent small models I like is my 6-studs-wide Back to the Future DeLorean that can fit 2 Minifigures side-by-side and has working seagull doors.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
I loved LEGO bricks as a kid, and I recall the Western theme to be my absolute favourite. A long break after that and then a single set - Santa's Workshop (10245) has sparked my interest and woke up my inner child! My girlfriend (back in those days) and I bought it for 2016 Christmas. I accidentally saw a banner with this very cute set and clicked it. I am so happy I did it, as without any exaggeration – it has changed my life! I thought that it would be a very nice family thing to do on Christmas Eve and gave it a green light. Since then, Winter Village became a very special thing to us (as a family of three now) and obsession started to grow!
- What is the LEGO hobby to you? What does it mean to you? How does it fit in your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play the games or 'just' watch the cartoons.
Having common interests with your loved ones is priceless! The LEGO hobby is one of those “bricks”. It gave us a beautiful tradition and a whole new field for creativeness! It's so much more than just a toy; it actually unites families and people. This is something I really like about the LEGO hobby and it's a wonderful community.
- What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
Modular buildings and Fairground sets are fascinating to me. Aside from all the great details inside, I appreciate functionality and playability as well as those little stories designers usually put in!
I always try to incorporate some functions and playability into my models and doing that without compromising the overall look is a huge challenge! Fairground and some other “creator” sets are definitely an inspiration to me – they are so good in this aspect.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set ever? Why?
Picking just a single one is super hard, but I really love The Old Fishing Store and Downtown Diner. I just want to add that you have to build a set to fully appreciate it, so there might be other sets that potentially could be my favourites but I just didn’t get my hands on yet!
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
The more I think of it, the more I cotton onto the fact that there’s no favourite one for me. LEGO building is about combinations and so in every set or MOC, there’s a new favourite piece or technique for me. However, there are a lot of fun and cute moulds I adore, whether it’s a new dog mould or minifig accessory. One of the latest moulds I absolutely love is a labrador doggy!
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
I find JKBrickworks creations to be functional, elegant and fun. His works are such an inspiration to me! Of course, Mike Psiaki does an outstanding job with every project where he’s involved – hat’s off. Also while working on the Home Alone set, I had the pleasure to meet a very talented team of designers – Sam, Antica, Enrique and Kirsten, I’ll be definitely following their future works!
- Is there one or more particular LEGO related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
A huge shout out to New Elementary and Tips and Bricks. These two websites are rock stars of the LEGO world to me. Racing Brick YouTube channel is also outstanding!
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
The Polar Express
The idea of creating an ultimate Christmas train dates back to 2016. At that time, I had just started my LEGO journey and in that regards, I had nothing except Santa’s Workshop set; I love Christmas and everything around this holiday. Being inspired by the above-mentioned set, I was thrilled by the idea of having a LEGO train going around our Christmas tree. The Polar Express has been on our “to watch during the holidays” list for many years, so I knew for sure that this is the only train we need. After a quick web search, I didn't find a LEGO set, but I did find something more valuable – the LEGO Ideas website! Long story short - I was hooked, and I owe to the Polar Express the fact that I’m an AFOL. Since that very moment, there hasn't been a day that I didn’t visit the website.
Obviously at that time, I didn’t have enough skill to create something as big and complex as a train model. Thanks to LEGO Ideas I started to practice with smaller models, took part in contests, activities etc., and little by little started to work on my dream train. Of course, there were numerous breaks, fails, other projects etc. but I never left the idea of creating my “ultimate Christmas train”.
Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Ranger
When I started to work on this project there hadn't been a word said about the upcoming Rescue Rangers movie. I should say, I am so happy that it actually got great reviews from the audience (well, you know not all remakes get the praise). Watching this colourful classic as a kid, I dreamed to be a member of their brave team, living in their cosy headquarters on a tree and face breakneck adventures daily! Pretty sure so did many of you (should I mention Gadget was one of my first crushes?).
Nowadays, you can easily turn on any episode whenever you wish and watch it online. But most probably, the memories of running home like crazy to be on time for the start of the show, playing with friends afterwards pretending to be Rescue Rangers and rescuing street cats from neighbourhood dogs is what really inspired me to create this little thing.
- How long was the process of making the project, and what did you have to research as well. What kind of prep, research and design phases did you go through to produce your creation?
The Polar Express
It’s quite hard to answer this question as there were numerous breaks, fails, redesigns, starting from scratch, testing with real bricks, ordering from BL, minifig design, and finally polishing the presentation. I really wanted to make sure I took into account every little detail, so rewatched the movie numerous times as well as a movie about the movie itself, and read an array of articles about it. When designing projects, I like to think that I’m working on an actual product and that others will get their hands on it (even if in reality I’m the only one who will), so I’m trying to think of what others would appreciate in a model. For example, the food cart was designed in a way so it can fit and slide between the seats easily and train cars’ interiors are easily accessible etc. Other play features appeared in the set after my unforgettable experience with the design team of Home Alone and realizing the great impact these little details actually make on the final product. I think I started with LDD in 2017 and completed the project (still have something to improve though) around October – November 2021. Yeah, it’s been a long way and definitely not as smooth as I thought it was going to be! The result was super rewarding – 39 days to the 10k mark!
Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
I recall that the first rough sketch model in LDD was done in 3 days. I was so passionate when the idea hit me, that I literally hardly took any breaks to eat! I started with a balloon as this seemed like the hardest part to capture. It has to be hollow and light - you don’t want to put heavy bricks on top of a tall, moving model! Of course, this was just the first step. I wanted to see what it might look like and then I still had to come up with the whole set concept. I quickly realized that I want this set to be both a nice-looking 80-90s icon display thing and a functional toy at the same time. That’s how an idea to make an easy mount platform appeared. What really made it challenging, is my wish to implement a flapping mechanism that wouldn’t impact the design of an aircraft too much! This was quite a challenge as motion models were absolutely new for me and it took some time to figure out this simple mechanism that can fit in 2 studs-high platform (although now, I would probably compromise the platform and use gears instead).
Designing minifigures was also a ton of fun! As you might know, in your projects you’re allowed to use only existing moulds, so in designing Gadget, Monty and Zipper I had to come up with alternative ways. I think combining the existing Eleven hairpiece and purple shades from the Friends line (luckily there was a hole in the hairpiece) for the Gadget minifigure was a nice solution. Another fun piece usage was actually pretty accidental, but I really like how accurately the minifigure scalloped cape cloth represents the plane’s tail from the show! I just randomly glanced at a Retro Space guy from CMF standing on my shelf and his orange cape made me think that a scalloped one would be a good fit there… and it worked!
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
The Polar Express
I never had any experience with LEGO trains prior to this build, so every moving or functional part of the build was a challenge to me. I tend to say, essentially it was a trial-and-error method. I had to learn everything from the ground up, starting from tracks curvature, turn specifics, wheel and piston movement, traction, weight balance, powered-up systems, programming, drive schematics and many other points I wasn’t aware of when started. I wanted to use a hub and motor drive scheme because it felt more authentic to me but, obviously, this option is heavy and requires more space and parts, so finding the working solution in this aspect took quite some time. Obviously, using a motor cart would be way more practical!
Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
The flapping wings mechanism was definitely the most challenging in this build. I wanted to make it less noticeable and came up with a scissor mechanism that let me relocate the rods from under the wings to under the body of the plane. Afterwards, it was improved with rubber bands.
- If you could talk to yourself before you started on this project, what would you tell them? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
I think I would tell myself to start promoting the Rescue Rangers project from day one and what is even more important – to choose a different title image. I think the wrong title image partly ruined my promotion campaign.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
Since the first 10k project crossed the finish line, we made a nice tradition to celebrate with a cake - and this time was not an exception!
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
The Polar Express
Oh, I’m really happy with a skiing homeless man. I also really like how Smokey turned out!
Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
It’s probably the overall spirit of the set; the colours, feelings and memories that it evokes. It’s something I can’t really point out physically. It’s on an emotional level. Oh, wait, sorry - the minifigures too!
- If you built your model digitally, what software did you use to build and render your model?
I usually start with LDD then polish things in Studio 2.0. I then test everything out with real bricks.
- If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
For prints and minifigures I use a PS analogue called FireAlpaca
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
Here is the success formula: Unique idea or Beloved IP (or better combination of these) + good design + good presentation + good promotion.
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
I tried to reach out to famous people who were involved in the production of the reference subject. In the case of Rescue Rangers, I was lucky enough to be noticed by the creator of the show (Tad Stones), who was kind enough to tweet about my project. Also, Jim Cummings who is known for voicing Monty, Winnie The Pooh and many others tweeted as well.I was stoked when the Owosso MI Steam Railroading Institute - a famous museum where the real Pere Marquette 1225 stays (which the train from the movie is based on) reached out, supported, and even helped with the promotion campaign! I was blown away and super thankful!
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
There are so many great ideas that it’s really hard to pick just one. From recent submissions, I find Clockwork Solar System and Working Mini Golf Course to be amazingly creative!
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
This is not just a platform that attracts me; it’s the community and creativity it generates! People from different parts of the world with the same passion gather here. Isn’t that great? Sometimes people see things from a different perspective than you, and it’s always fun to learn from them. For those who are thinking about uploading their ideas, I would recommend reading website rules one more time as it might save you a lot of time. I read them a lot and still make mistakes
- Do you have plans to submit any other Product Ideas in the future? If yes, can you give us a hint of what that might be?
I have a whole list of ideas on my phone! While it’s fun, every project requires a lot of time and effort. I haven’t started to work on anything yet, but you never know when it might spark!
