As we kick off the next round of interviews (which were inadvertently kicked off already with 2 interviews ahead of time "BIG BOY" LOCOMOTIVE and RETRO ARCADE ), we have had to make additional compromises to the number of interviews we are able to publish in order to get us back on track following the delay to the previous round's results.
As previously communicated, we will no longer publish interviews of 10K re-submissions that have previously had an interview published. For this round, we will also not be publishing interviews for any member who has previously had an interview published regardless of whether it was a re-submission or a new submission.
From the remaining 10K submissions, we will also be randomly selecting submissions which we will be publishing interviews for.
Please note that whether a submission has an interview published for it or not has no impact on its consideration in the review. These are two entirely independent streams.
Our apologies in advance to those members whose interviews we are not able to publish this time around.
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Welcome to the first 10 K Club Interview of 2024. Brought to you by Vaggelis, a.k.a. Delusion Brick, we present this inspiring SPARTAN HELMET OF LEONIDAS project. Inspired by ancient history, this project is a testament to modern innovation meeting timeless ancient handcraft. Leave your support and comments below.
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
My name is Vaggelis Ntezes. You can find me in LEGO Ideas by the username Delusion Brick.
- Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Athens (Greece).
- How old are you?
40.
- What do you study or do for a living?
I'm a 3D artist designer and I work in the game industry as an Art Director.
- What hobbies do you have?
You can call me an artsy person in general. I like to sketch, listen to music, sculpture with clay, play the guitar and of course to occupy myself with LEGO in any opportunity given, either by building a newly bought set or by designing a new Product Idea.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
You can find me on YouTube by the name Delusion Brick here and all of my LEGO MOCs are uploaded to Lego Ideas.
- 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?
I have created from scratch a LEGO MOC that I am really proud of.
The inspiration came from one of my favorite movies, Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands”. My idea was to create a design similar to the castle where Edward lives. It took 8000 LEGO pieces and two months to finish it. In order to complete this project, I tried to analyze as much as I could the setting of the castle by watching the movie many times, pausing it frequently and making pictures with construction details. You can find the Custom Edward Scissorhands Castle. (που;)
- How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
I am the second child of the family, my brother is the oldest and since I recall there were always LEGO sets in the house. The first set my brother shared with me was the 1984 LEGO Knight’s Castle - set code 6073. My first very own set was LEGO 6265 Sabre Island, after that I stacked and love the Pirate line.
- 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.
As a child LEGO was my best friend, I really loved and still love constructing and creating stuff. I remember myself constructing endlessly different sets by using the same pieces over and over again. Up to this day, I believe that no other game could have ever given me this opportunity. At the same time, I think that all this has played a huge role in what I do today for a living (3D artist), helping me have a good visual and geometric perception and being able to combine shapes and morphs in order to create my 3D worlds. Basically, LEGO prepared and trained me into what I am today, and I consider it, besides a wonderful game, as the “touchable” 3D.
- 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 of all times was and still is “Pirates”. From my personal view, by using the pirate sets, one’s imagination can fly and by playing with the sets you can achieve every time having different and unique castles and ships, stories of the sea and shore, submarine adventures in a tropical beautiful place full of mystery! I consider the 1989 Pirates sets as one of the best LEGO creations, that surely have affected me not only consciously, but subconsciously as well.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set ever? Why?
As I have already mentioned, I am a lover of the LEGO Pirates universe and my favourite set is the LEGO 6285 Black Seas Barracuda. I consider, up to this day, after all these years -despite being 30 years old, that this set still remains one of the best that was ever designed. A really good sample of good design and beautiful color combinations.
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
From a childhood I loved sharks and I remember very well back then on 90s when
on the pirate line LEGO, they released a shark element I was instantly eager to have it in my collection. Shark is definitely my favorite LEGO element. I believe sharks are wonderful creatures and in terms of design their shape has a huge dynamic.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
I appreciate the work of many LEGO designers like Mind the Βrick, ZetoVince, Paoko Sanchez’s, Brickester, GabKremo, and I consider they are doing a really great job. -
As a huge fan of LEGO through the years, I believe I have gained valuable experience that helps me find my own ways of creating designs and experimenting with my own building techniques. This is something that keeps growing over the years and I find it not only entertaining but challenging at the same time, like a game.
- Is there one or more particular LEGO-related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
I like to follow and visit: Beyond the Brick, BrickLink, Brick Forge, and The Brick Fan.
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
This particular model was the reason of evolving an idea I had in my mind for many years. Since I come from Greece, I like to implement themes from my country. As I have done with other projects. You should check out my typical tavern from Santorini, which gets you into the Greek islands summer spirit.When the LEGO helmet series came out, I wanted to create a historical replica of one of the most iconic helmets in History. The helmet of Leonidas of Sparta.
Leonidas had a notable role in the Second Greco-Persian War, leading the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army. He died during the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans.
- 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 whole process took around 3 weeks. I have lots of historical books in my house and most of the research for this project came from a variety of photos. I studied on the details and the proportions of the helmet. How did they craft back in the days these helmets. What kind of materials they used. I believe in order to produce something, you have to first understand and analyse its structure, form and shape.
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
There were many challenges, but the ones that are worth mentioning is the stability of the helmet. I did my best in trying to keep the model compact and solid and in the same time to keep its original shape slick and round where it had to.
- 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?
When I create a LEGO set, I always do it first for fun. Because when you do something you love, it is called passion. I have two other older projects that have reached 10.000 votes, but this has not affected me or the way I create my projects.
I believe there is no right “recipe” in the creation of a LEGO project. When I create a LEGO project, I always feel fulfillment and joy. If it is made with love, I believe people will recognize it and love it too. I always say to myself “Good Luck”, when I press the upload button, and can’t wait for my next one.
- 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 my approximately 2 weeks to complete my design, but promoting my idea was a very hard process since it took around 2 years of time.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
The feeling was amazing, every time when you reach 10.000 votes, it is a very special feeling. When I get a vote, I feel like I have connected in a way with the person who voted me. As an artist I want not only my art to be appreciated, but to affect other people’s emotions and reach their hearts. I want to awaken the “inner” child people hide in their hearts nowadays.
The completion of the votes took approximately 2 years. I have uploaded the project on May 27th in 2021 and reached 10.000 votes on May 8th in 2023.
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
There is a great number and concept behind all this. Exactly 300 pieces, inspired by the 300 men of Leonidas army!
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
As I have mentioned above, my favourite part it is the structure inside of the head I used in order to keep strong stability of the model.
- If you built your model digitally, what software did you use to build and render your model?
All of my creations are created with the LEGO Digital Designer and Studio 2.0. I afterwards use 3ds max and Vray to complete the rendering process.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
My advice is to search in your heart and find your inner child. Go back to your childhood LEGO memories, rediscover that limitless fantasy, creation, persistence and patience.
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
I advertised my Product Idea through social media and there was a team of people and friends who follow and support my effort and they were willing to be part of this process.
- 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 product Ideas, which are my favorite ones and I already own are: “Pirates of Barracuda Bay” by Paoko Sanchez and “Voltron” by Lendy Tayag “Voltron”.
From designs that are currently gathering supporters, I think the following ideas are really worth mentioning,
“Working Canal Lock” by Baron von Barron.
“Swan Wings Airport” by Bricky_Brick & Brickester.
“Stilt House” by Norton74.
- 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 always have new Product Ideas in mind and there is not a moment that I do not see the world through LEGO bricks. Every day, I think of things and say to myself “Hey this would make a great LEGO set”, so stay hang on, more will be coming in the future.
By
Hani2