Please welcome, Richard Dane (If You Build It) to our 10k Club community! His very first project and very successful! Two of his happiest childhood memories are LEGO and going to the arcade. Combining them together Richard created this LEGO Retro Arcade model.
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
Richard Dane
- Where are you from?
Nottinghamshire, UK
- How old are you?
39
- What do you study or do for a living?
Graphic Designer – designing magazines for the NHS
- What hobbies do you have?
Making Brickfilms when I have any spare time, and enjoying being a football coach for my son’s local team.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
The Retro Arcade was my first real MOC so I don’t really have anything else to share at the moment.
- 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?
I have only created one which was the Retro Arcade and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
- How and when did your interest for LEGO products come about?
I first became interested in LEGO in the late 1980s when I received my first set (6381 Motor Speedway) for Christmas. From then on I would ask for LEGO for every birthday and Christmas until I was about 16. I then had a long break until I picked it back up again at the age of 33.
- 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.
LEGO is one of my favourite childhood memories. It’s nostalgic. It makes me smile.
- What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
My favourite theme is Pirates as this reminds me of my childhood collection the most.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set? Why?
My favourite set was the original Barracuda (6285). I would spend hours and hours playing with this set. The canons were so much fun.
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
Not sure I have a favourite element, my favourite minifigure is Captain Red Beard from set 6285.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
Ben Alder who recently designed the Winnie the Pooh set. I admire his love for LEGO and his family. The story behind the Winnie the Pooh set is inspiring and I’m so pleased his idea was chosen. What an achievement for his family.
- Is there one or more particular LEGO related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
I visit Bricklink on a monthly basis, ordering parts I need for my Brickfilms.
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
My other favourite childhood memory was going to the arcade with my brother and father back in the 1990s. I thought I would combine my two favourite childhood memories to create the Retro Arcade.
- 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?
I believe it took about a month from start to finish. I had a vision in my head of an old arcade so I knew what I was aiming for. I’ve not used any LEGO design software before so just freestyled it. I knew I wanted pavement all around the building for the car ride, claw grabber etc, so started with that first. The vision in my head was to have lots of windows and doors so started figuring out the skeleton of the building. Once I was happy with the outer structure, I then began creating all the internal and external accessories. I thought it was important for these to be interactive so the end user could have fun with the set. The moveable functions include: coin-operated car ride, claw grabber, car and bike racing games, and a rotating planet on the roof. Also included are 2 light bricks with all the internal controls to the rear of the building.
- What special challenges or frustrations did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
I would say the rotating planet on the roof. I needed to figure out the mechanism to allow it to spin and also how to include the zooming space rocket around it. I think the final version came out well and looks the part.
- How long did it take to complete the model? Did you finish it fairly quickly, or did it take a long time? And how did the build time compare to the time you spent promoting your Product Idea to reach 10,000 supporters?
It took about a month from start to finish. I would share my project on a few different social media platforms which I think helped a little.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
It took about 2 months. When it was getting close I shouted my children into the office and got them to click refresh for a few minutes and then we all screamed and hugged, it was such an amazing feeling.
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
This set has 1849 pieces.
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
I really like the functionality of it. Going to the arcade is about having fun, and being able to interact with the arcade machines was important to me so others can enjoy it too.
- If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
I used Adobe software.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
I would suggest researching your idea on LEGO Ideas first to see if there are any similar already. Check both current ones and use the Project Phase filter to see previous ones too. Also, have a think about who your audience is. When your project is finished, invest some time in the final photos.
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
I used social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
I really like the Barracuda Bay as my favourite set was the original and brings back memories of my childhood.
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
I love that LEGO gives fans the opportunity to share their creations and even the chance of it becoming a real set one day.
- 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?
Not at the moment. Watch this space…
By
Kamila9