We will start this week with an interview about our new 10k Club member - Marco (mpj83) and his very detail-oriented, 1:17 model of the Scania Next Generation, in Technic style. This realistic truck is powered by a Power Function XL motor and a Servo motor for steering and more! Marco is a huge fan of LEGO technic, construction machines, and of course, trucks. Check his interview and learn more about him and his product idea!
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
Marco Pirola
- Where are you from?
Italy
- How old are you?
37
- What do you study or do for a living?
Industrial designer
- What hobbies do you have?
Scale modeling and LEGO Technic of course!
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
www.technicprojects.com
- 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?
The MOC I’m particularly proud of is the Excavadrone, the runner-up winner of the LEGO Ideas contest “Build the construction machine of the future”.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO come about?
My interest in LEGO started when I was a child, with the first LEGO System sets. But building with instructions became a boring game very soon, and so I started modifying existing sets or building what I liked to build. Slowly I became a LEGO Technic passionate, especially with the introduction of the first “Power Functions” set (set 8275). I am a fan of construction machines and trucks, and I felt that the possibility to build and control my creations was my perfect hobby!
- What is LEGO for you? What does it mean for you? How does it fit in your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play games, or 'just' watch cartoons.
It is basically a hobby that fills my spare time, stimulating my creativity and giving me some relaxing time. I especially like the building phase than looking at the final display model.
- What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
LEGO Technic, because I like to mix form and functions in my models.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set? Why?
42043 (Mercedes Arocs) I think is one of the most good-looking and complex models, I really enjoyed building it (and of course, modding it).
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
All the LEGO Technic panels, I like their shapes and their use to create realistic bodyworks.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
Markus Kossmann. He builds especially trucks and construction machines, so he actually does my dream job.
- Is there one or more particular LEGO related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
www.eurobricks.com
www.rebrickable.com
www.bricklink.com
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
I’m truck passionate and I wanted to build a realistic show truck. Scania is one of the most famous truck manufacturers in Europe, and one of my preferred tracks. LEGO Technic has a line of highly detailed supercars that excite car fans from all over the world. Why not create a high detailed truck for all the truck fans?
- 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?
The model is a 1:17 scale model, so the first thing I did was to search for blueprints of the real model, and scale all the dimensions to the 1:17 scale. The design began on a 2d drawing in Autocad, then the building was a trial and error process until I obtained the shape I liked.
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
The front grille was really difficult to recreate. In the real truck, there are some flat surfaces and some grilled parts: I tried to reproduce them alternating the LEGO Technic beams. Also, all the sticker design was very challenging (the artwork is a reproduction of a real Italian showtruck).
- 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?
I built my Scania in my spare time in about 5-6 months. The model was promoted sporadically on Technic or Trucks-related groups and magazines, but actually, I did not spend so much time promoting it.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
About 1,5 years… and I felt enthusiastic! In the beginning, I was very skeptical I could reach the goal… 10k votes were a lot!
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
I think around 1300-1400.
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
The rear adjustable suspension with small pneumatic cylinders.
- If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
I created the artwork on my computer and printed it at a local shop on a PVC sticker. I tried to reproduce the official LEGO Technic cut-shapes of the stickers.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
I really didn’t know that my project could be so appreciated, I simply built it and shared it on LEGO Ideas, I did not build it with the purpose of being a LEGO Ideas. So: build what you like, enjoy your building time, and then, if you want to try, try!
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
Just posting it on social networks and on some truck-related magazines. Many people shared it and helped me to achieve support.
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
My favourite project is “Pirates of Barracuda Bay” because it has a nostalgic feeling and invites me to play again as a child. Really a beautiful idea!
- 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?
The spare time is not so much, but yes, I have a good idea in my mind… and it will be LEGO Technic of course!
By
Kamila9