Roaming the seven seas with Aldrin Aguilar (aka aldrin on LEGO Ideas), he set course for the 10K Club and reached his destination in 116 days! Read all about the voyage and the captain, here in this 10K Club Interview!
About Yourself
- Whats your name?
Aldrin Aguilar.
- Where are you from?
Lima, Perú
- How old are you?
I am 50 years old.
- What do you do for a living?
I’m an administration manager in a financial advisory company.
- What hobbies do you have?
Just building mocs with LEGO.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
Here's my Flikr account.
- Have you created any LEGO MOCs (my own creations) that you’re particularly proud of? What is it, why are you proud it and do you have a photo of it?
Yes. I built about 6 years ago a replica of a foreign ministry building of my country (Perú), here in Lima. Its called Torre Tagle Palace. I'm proud of it, because was my “entry ticket” for this amazing community of afols. It was exhibited in a show in Brazil (ExpoLug Brazil 2014) and ELUAL 2015 in Chile.
- How and when did your interest for LEGO come about?
I remember received my first lego present for Christmas in 1975 (lego train set 181). I think my dad was an afol for those years, and every time he can, bring us lego sets. In my early years I dream a lot with a city layout full of trains, but that was impossible to do in those years. When I start to buy lego presents for my kids (2008), I discover in internet that others guys like me, not just buy lego, but built mocs too. So there was no way back.
- What is LEGO for you? What does it mean for you? How does it fit in your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play the games.. or 'just' watch the cartoons.
My family and I can't imagine our lives without lego. I am the ambassador for The LUG in Peru, so the shows, meetups, dinners, with wip mocs is something “normal” for us. We travel frequently to the US, and in each trip there are mandatory stops at some lego stores there. Recently this year, here in Peru the first certified lego store opened. Actually there are 3 now!
- What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
Trains and modular buildings.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set? Why?
Set 181. Because it taught me to imagine the creations that I can build now.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
Jamie Berard (because his modular building designs), and Marcos Bessa (because I met him personally years ago and he gave me some tips for constructions. Great guy)
- Is there one or more particular LEGO related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
I visit various lego train club fanpages.
About Your Project
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
I have built houses, buildings and trains, so I decided build a ship. I found the Huascar in a picturs, so I begun to search for information from that ship and finally I made it.
- How long was the process of making the project did, 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?
Since I decided to build the model, about 1 month researching pictures and information. About 2 months to order the parts, and about 3 days to build. (2-3 hours at nights).
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
The boat hull shape. Ohh yes!
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
It feels amazing that your model is liked so many people. I can't believe it. It reached 10k in just 116 days!
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
About 3000 bricks.
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
I built with my favorite brick (studs in the sides). I tried to build with no studs in the top, for more clean surfaces.
- If you built your model digitally, what software did you use to build and render your model?
LDD and bluerender.
About LEGO Ideas
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
Just build everything you really like!
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
I shared my project with modeling clubs of different subjects (ship trains, etc). Also with people related to the navy.
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
I am always struck by ideas related to modular buildings and trains.
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
Obviously the possibility of becoming the designer of a model that is produced and sold. I would advise doing it thinking first of the model. Let it look like you really want. If it reaches 10k or is produced, it should not be the main reason. Just have fun building.
- Do you have plans to submit any other Product Ideas in the future? If yes, can you give us a hint what that might be?
I like to build a minifigure scale, so it is very difficult to find something that really meets the requirement of 3000 bricks maximum. I think my next project will be a locomotive
By
JacobM366