It was so much fun to chat with Mark & Steven - the winners of LEGO Masters Season Two.
(If you missed that conversation, check it out here.)
As I watched the show, however, I just was blown away by how people could actually build like that with LEGO bricks! This obviously isn’t your run-of-the-mill building experience, buying a set and then putting it together with the directions.
The level of detail, creativity, and planning amazed me, and as readers sent me questions two themes started to emerge:
How does a LEGO Master get to where they are today?
How do you organize LEGO bricks?
Ask and you shall receive!
What follows is a video from Mark and Steven with simple building tips, and also a peek into how they store and organize their bricks - with one SUPER SIMPLE TOOL that would have changed my life!
I’ll let you watch the video - you’ll want your kids to see this, too - and see if you can tell which tool I’m referring to.
And seriously - Mark and Steven just blow me away with their creativity and knowledge. You will be SO impressed!
I’ve also added some additional links/suggestions so that you can take what Mark and Steven have said and begin to go down your own rabbit hole.
LEGO Building Tips
Tip #1: Studs on all Sides
Use bricks and plates to make sure you have studs on all sides of your creation. THIS is how Mark and Steven came up with so much dimension.
This is a helpful article about reversing the direction of LEGO studs.
And, have you heard of the SNOT concept? This is helpful, too.
Tip #2: Lowell Sphere
I had to look this one up when I got home from Mark and Steven’s studio! You can read all about it here - and then you can see the possibilities that come when you use this sphere in the building of your creations. As Mark points out - this technique defies the logic of LEGO.
You can also get this kit from the Atlanta Brick Company that demonstrates this technique.
Tip #3: Sculpting
As Steven explains, this is based on numbers and patterns - this seems to be something most little LEGO lovers are obsessed with!
I’m blown away watching Steven show the patterns on his creation - imagine the time and thought that went into this!
Search around the internet for examples of LEGO sculpting - you will be lost down a rabbit hole, but it’s very interesting!
Tip #4: Color
Not only primary colors can be used in your LEGO creations. Steven talks about using secondary colors and color blocking.
This article about working with the LEGO color palette is quite helpful. And - super fun - read this quote:
“One of the easiest ways to learn new skills is by watching the masters. As I mentioned at the beginning, LEGO designers Amie and Jamie talked a lot about the use of color in the LEGO Masters TV show.”
And - here is a video all about coloring in LEGO MOCS (Make Your Own Creations).
Side Note:
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Mark and Steven. Not only did we learn a lot, but we also enjoyed getting to know these young men better. They are both truly class acts!
Special thanks to my husband, Hal, for filming and to my son, Grant, for editing our videos. LEGO is a family affair!
LEGO Organization Tips
Sort by color in plastic bins
This never happened in our house - but if I had it to do all over again, I think I might insist on it!
Mark and Steven have nearly 2 million bricks in their studio, so they HAVE to keep them organized!
Create a “Sorting Table”
Again - I wish we would have done this!
By adding sides to the table, none of the bricks go missing on the floor! Also, I would think that having a table at a standing height like this is just so much more comfortable for sorting and building. I remember searching for a LEGO table I could purchase when really we could have taken a plain wooden table and added the sides - just like Mark and Steven have done.
Don’t you also love how this method makes it so easy to find a particular piece - or, as Steven points out - you might even find a BETTER piece than the one you were looking for.
Here’s more of a closeup look at their table:
Use a Dustpan for Easy Cleanup!
Genius. That’s all I have to say.
Additional LEGO Links:
In case you missed LEGO Masters, check it out here.
Visit Mark at his site, Mark of Falworth.
Visit Steven at his site, Brother Steven Builds.
Visit the entire LEGO Learning page here at Homegrown Learners!
