Step back in time with this Product Idea that features intricate architecture based on an Ancient ROMAN FORUM by Krackenator4!
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
My name is Taylor Anderson.
- Where are you from?
Georgia, USA.
- What do you study or do for a living?
I build houses for a living.
- What hobbies do you have?
Besides LEGO, I enjoy working with my hands, whether that be working on old cars, making stuff out of wood, or anything involving the outdoors.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
I usually post my projects on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/194123970@N07/
- 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?
Everything I have been working on is digital. However, I did design an MOC of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean. I would love the Black Pearl to be a set again one day.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
I was really young when I was first introduced to LEGO, around the age of 4 or 5. I was going through a cowboy phase, and my parents bought me my first set which was the Sheriff’s Lock Up (6755).
- What does the LEGO hobby mean to you? How does it fit into your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play the games or 'just' watch the cartoons.
I have enjoyed building things since I was very young. LEGO allows me to create my own stories and worlds as if I were still a kid. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes it special for me. LEGO is something I like to do in the evenings. It’s a great exercise for the brain, to figure out how to put something together, and a great way to take your mind off work.
- What is your favorite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
I think Star Wars is my favorite theme, because I have been a fan of the series since I was very young. It’s what originally led me to create my own MOCs, recreating movie scenes and battles. However, Creator Expert/Icons comes a close second. It is has helped me learn new building techniques and styles over the years.
- What is your favorite official LEGO set ever? Why?
Pirates of Barracuda Bay has got to be my favorite set ever. I loved the pirate sets as a kid, but the ships were always too expensive for me, so when l found out this set existed, I bought it immediately. It’s such an amazing model to display and the inclusion of an updated Black Seas Barracuda was a great touch. This is the set that got me out of an eight-year-long LEGO dark age!
- What is your favorite LEGO element? Why?
I really like the plant pieces, but If I had to choose just one part it would be the plant leaves (2417). Adding foliage to a model can really help tell a story. Is the structure new with maintained landscaping? Or is it a few hundred years old, with plants starting to overtake it? They make a model feel more real, and also help to fill in empty spaces.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
I don’t know if there’s one that I can say is my favorite. There are so many talented people out there who build and have created their own unique building styles.
- Is there one or more particular LEGO websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
I enjoy looking at Flickr, Bricklink Gallery, and Reddit for inspiration. It’s fun to talk with other builders and see the techniques people come up with.
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
I have always liked history, and over the past few years I have had a growing fascination with Ancient Rome. And as someone who works as a builder, Roman architecture amazes me.
- How long did the process of making the project take and what did you have to research? What kind of prep, research and design phases did you go through to produce your creation?
I designed the model over the course of a few months and used old Renaissance paintings to influence my design choices. I began the model by building the temple, and then moved forward on the layout and other structures.
- What special challenges or frustrations did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
My hope was to create a grand sense of scale, with structures all of different heights and at different angles and distances from the viewer. It makes an urban space feel very organic, similar to how Rome is depicted in old paintings. I spent a lot of time playing around with the layout of my model and it was probably what slowed progress the most.
- If you could talk to yourself before you started on this project, what would you tell him/her? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
Less is more. I had experimented with two temples and a more complex terrain. This made the piece-count very high, and also made it a challenge to fit everything together. I’m very happy that I simplified the design.
- 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 me almost a year to finish the model. I started it at the end of 2022, and then forgot about it when I couldn’t make up my mind on how I wanted the layout. But I’m glad I finally finished it, because it took less than four months to reach 10K.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
It’s a great feeling when something you have spent a lot of time working on is liked by 10,000 people. I find it hard to believe this is my second model to reach that goal!
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
1,776 pieces.
- What is your favorite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
I really like how the golden accents on the temple turned out. It works well with the dark red and white.
- If you built your model digitally, what software did you use to build and render your model?
I used Bricklink Studio and Mecabricks to design the model. The renderings were done with Blender.
- If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
I had to use a custom torso print for the Senator figure. I found a toga template that I edited and then uploaded to Mecabricks to make the torso.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas Product Idea?
Don’t rush. Build multiple versions of your idea until you reach one you are 100% happy with. Every time you make a variation, you will discover a better way of making something.
I believe that how you present your project is extremely important. Teach yourself how to make good renderings of your model and use lighting effectively. If there are moveable features in your model, highlight them by creating a gif of it moving.
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
I posted the model on Flickr and Reddit, but for the most part the project just ran its course. It appears I’m not the only one who wants to see more of Ancient Rome in LEGO form!
- What is your favorite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
The Krusty Krab by Lanko looks like it would be a fun set!
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
I think most AFOLs and TFOLs have probably dreamed of being a LEGO designer at some point. And the fact that LEGO is actually allowing so many people to do so is such an incredible opportunity. The level of fan engagement LEGO has is unlike any company I have seen. This, and being able to see so many unique and creative projects, is what attracted me to Ideas.
To anyone who is thinking about submitting an idea, I say go for it! Do some research first. There are some good tutorials on YouTube to help you ensure your project has the best chance of getting enough votes. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other builders if you have questions!
- 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 probably have 10 different projects lined up right now, if I can get around to finishing them! Many of them focus on history and old styles of architecture.
By
JacobM366