ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
Hi! My name is Pablo Sánchez.
- Where are you from?
I´m from Madrid, Spain.
- How old are you?
40 years young.
- What do you study or do for a living?
I´m a camera operator and DOP in some productions.
- What hobbies do you have?
My main hobby is LEGO. I suppose that as an AFOL, it is now a hobby but also the toy with which I started. I have seen its evolution and it is unavoidable not to include it as a way of life. I am also passionate about photography, music, comics, cinema, bicycles, and travel among others.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
Yes, I try to take advantage of social networks, some more than others. In this case, I use Instagram to announce the recent projects. I also have a small shelter on Facebook where from time to time I share something of what I am doing - and a YouTube channel. I still have to organize because there are many projects presented and it is difficult to promote all creations equally. Day by day, I add something to the portfolio and share it as long as it is not designing a new project. I think my best portfolio currently is on the LEGO Ideas website
- 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?
In 2021, I wanted to pay tribute to Dan Jezek, (creator of Bricklink) for his idea by which today thousands of people can access information about LEGO pieces and acquire them. I made it in the form of a modular station, and it was baptized as Dan Gate. The station has 20,000 pieces and its base is made up of 4 48x48 baseplates.
That same year I also designed my first large mini-scale spaceship, with approximately 17,000 pieces. I always liked science fiction ships and that's how Nadir 77d came about. A spacecraft carrier with nine stern thrusters and two side nacelles for fast maneuvering. I hope to put the pieces together one day so I can have it at home and show it to the community.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
My interest in LEGO was for a reason that now, as an adult, I understand. It gave me the possibility to create what I wanted, and that is spectacular for a child. These pieces for me were like my second parents. I have always mentioned my father as a banner and proof of this is the gratitude I owe to this company or great family that accepts the feedback of its clients in order to evolve and that only deserves an important detail. My sister was born with special needs and care which she also needs today, so during my childhood, my parents could not attend to me at all hours although they tried to make the most of time with me, and LEGO was my refuge. The hours for a child are long if it is bored, and that is unforgivable. This gave me the ability to evolve, to create new things all the time, without stopping, without getting bored. Logically, I did not think that when I was 6 years old, but today I can understand many things. I like this legacy and I hope that minds that may fall into boredom before fall in love with creating something for themselves whether you are 5 or 80. LEGO is forever.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set ever? Why?
In the past: when I was a child, set 6990 Futuron monorail or set 6399 Airport shuttle. To put it in some way, it was my first LEGO train. I liked that it was elevated over the city, and I liked the sound that this engine made. The Futuron monorail had lights and you could add sounds - it was a complete set with unique pieces that nowadays are discontinued. I would like to see those old pieces again.
Today, there are many good sets. I really like The Ewok Village, The Saturn Rocket, the Old Fishing Store, and The Assembly Square among others. I think these three have a special design if we compare them to the aforementioned, it looks great evolution in techniques and new pieces to achieve those shapes, I would add the Ecto1 by Mike Psiaki.
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
All the pieces have a function, some more than others. To build I like the modified pieces 15444 and 32952 make a good team in my opinion. I also like set 41682 2x2 bracket. The two-direction build model expands the possibilities of creativity. I also like clips and handle pieces.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
I think LEGO has the best in its teams, on other occasions, I have mentioned some of my favorites such as Jamie Berard, Mike Psiaki, Milan Madge, Niels Pedersen, Cesar Soares, and Robert Heim among others. From the fans there is a lot of talent in a lot of builders, very difficult to mention all.
The one that has inspired me the most is perhaps Niels Pedersen- I grew up with his sets and prioritized that construction line.
- Is there one or more particular LEGO-related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
I usually visit Bricklink and Brickset a lot to learn about the existence of pieces, models, colors, news of new products, the chronology of the sets, etc. Today, there is a lot of information, and generally saturated, but there are certain pages that maintain that journalistic vein and the love for its content.
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
Brick Boulevard:
I love the LEGO Expert theme and the LEGO trains. And like many fans, we try to make our buildings and vehicles. Currently, we can enjoy one modular from the company per year. Beautiful buildings have become an essential collection for lovers of dioramas. To stand out a bit, I suppose I could add a new concept that could be used in future occasions in new modular buildings.
The new concept is summarized in the previous characteristics of the other modular but adding another level to be able to have suburban transport.Claus Toys:
I love modular buildings and the LEGO line of winter sets and decided to unify them into a single concept. It is a risky project but I couldn't stay calm if I did not share it with the LEGO Ideas community. I think the feeling from the community has been very positive towards this model. This is the second time Claus Toys in the 10k clubIce Cream Parlor:
Ice Cream Parlor was born from the need for a brother to Brick Boulevard and as an explanation of the concept in which trains can pass through the model.
- 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?
Brick Boulevard:
The project was carried out in approximately 3 weeks and what I had to be aware of the most was the dimensions of the official buildings and, at the same time, be related to my proposal. I was looking at the most common track widths and the displacement and elevation of the tracks to assess possible buildings that could have curves or continue in a straight line. With that in mind, I wanted to sit down with the Studio program and that is where I started to build the model. If I had doubts about connection or stability, I always did small tests when I had the pieces, even if they were of another color.Claus Toys:
This one took almost three weeks. I was very inspired by this model, but first I was looking at where to place the minifigures. Would it be modular? Would it be independent? What shape would it have and what pieces was it going to use?Ice Cream Parlor:
This model was made in approximately 2 weeks and the preparation was basically the selection of the colors and the decorative elements that were going to be integrated. - What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
Brick Boulevard:
The challenge was undoubtedly trying to keep the number of pieces within 3000 for a construction that includes a 32x32 baseplate and a 16x32 baseplate in 4 heights and a subway car. The most difficult part was selecting the zones that were going to be modular to give playability to the model.Claus Toys:
The 45-degree gable roof. I must say that before I had looked at how Chris McVeigh had made the roof in LEGO Elf Club House (10275), in this case, the roof is placed at a different angle respecting the front image of the building.Ice Cream Parlor:
The most difficult part was to prepare the distribution of the rooms and generate stability in the tunnels. - How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
For all three sets, it was a very pleasant happy moment, and especially after several years of collaborating with this magnificent community, it became more and more pleasant. I felt something like when Pirates of Barracuda Bay reached the 10k, something fast and full of constructive criticism and nice words about the model from the Fans.I'm happy, not only for me but also for the people I do not see who have taken the time to dedicate a few words or vote for the project. Brick Boulevard achieved its goal in less than a month, Claus Toys took two months to reach its goal, and Ice Cream Parlor I don’t remember well but maybe 3 months or more.
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
All models are close to 3000 pieces.
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
Brick Boulevard:
What made me want to start the project the most was the challenge of adding the railway line to the modular concept. There are also some elements of the scene that I have tried to give a bit of care like the access doors to the underground or something simple but pleasing to the eye like the transparent brick monument.Claus Toys:
Many techniques are known and used in recent years by professionals and fans of LEGO. I have only played with other colors and shown the techniques on the outside, such as the brackets that form lines on the wall of one of its facades. I also like the balconies made with modified 1x3 tiles and skeleton legs.Ice Cream Parlor:
Surely what I like the most is the same ice cream parlor. Then there are other elements such as the vine, a part that I think gives it a nice, summery touch. I have to say that it is in this last element that I suggested a single-color change. - If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
I made them on my computer through software and added them digitally. If it is a real construction, I usually do decals, but I would like to do custom prints.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
Yes, be yourself, and create something that is yours and that is from your mind - that is a good start. The next step is to show people the idea you have in mind.
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
Like many people, I tried to take advantage of the use of social networks. I advertise at the user level since my knowledge about networks is scarce. In this last stage as a content creator fan, I try not to be invasive with the posts, simply out of respect for whoever sees it and because there is a significant saturation of news in general and it is difficult to stop one moment to see and read a post.
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
I think that on another occasion, I already mentioned that for me, the Saturn V from the Apollo program seemed like an exquisite model, a challenge to the limits to which a LEGO piece can reach. I must add the great work of Donny Chen and Woon Tze with the Grand Piano, a superb model. There are many good ideas that deserve to be official, but I understand that it would be unfeasible to produce 10 LEGO Ideas a year.
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
I find very good feedback between LEGO and customers. Just being able to share a creation that you value with a lot of people around the world is nice, you can comment on other creations and give your opinion since it is a very important part of working in a group and leaving the creative bubble that can sometimes be negative if we lock ourselves.
It is a platform that helps you to value yourself, and to see that your work either as a hobby or profession can be rewarded by a lot of people who value your work every time they click the support button.
- 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?
Yes, it's prepared in the fridge, but it won't see the light yet. I am enjoying making another new model.
By
Hani2