Keep up the good work Linus, this is unprecedented material.

Mainman & Memory: I think you’re right. And actually, I think that’s also the case with many other mediums – a lot of photographers just stumbled upon “this cool technique” too. I suspect it’s the same with sculptors and painters as well, and there’s nothing wrong with that. From a communicational point of view, however, one should at least give thought to the contextual relations and adjust some things afterwards in order to make it all fit. In reality the process is hardly as streamlined as I lined up above :)

V1: I am actually trying to put our toys into a framework. Some feel it takes away the fun, and that’s alright. I believe that in order to further our medium, and in the end getting it taken more seriously by the general public, we must think about these things. Even though what I write today may be considered simplistic or narrow-minded in the future, at least it’s a start to get those of us who’re interested thinking. But that will never take away from what LEGO is for you individually :)

You type some interesting thoughts, Linus. The concept of techniques being the last priority reminds me of the idea of LEGO as a medium, a means to an end (i.e. nnenn). I agree with Mainman, though. LEGO is, by nature, a solution-based medium. While the overall vision of a model is very important, I think that the techniques used will carry more weight than in other mediums.

My ideas folder

Scholarship is never pointless. If there can be advances in the MOC process, that would be great. I would like to see a pooling of knowledge. A resource of building techniques. Can you image a Lego Building Technique wiki? I wish we could find a way to have instructions created for the best, most interesting MOCs and have them available publicly, in like PDF format. So much could be learned quickly, instead of guessing and figuring it all out by ourselves. imagine the advancements that could be made in MOC technique!

And oh yeah, V1, if you find it pointless and senseless… feel free to ignore it. And leave us to our pointlessness and senselessness.

I think it should be important to note that, in many ways, our chosen medium can open the design and creation process up to unusual methods. Specifically, a single piece or construction method can be the impetus for the overall project. We often see in the photo description: “I was fiddling around and discovered this connection. I thought it was cool, so I kept going, and the above MOC is the result.” These MOCs are rarely too large, but sometimes quite impressive.

So I think in that case, the process is more like:
1. Audience (FOLs are the ones interested in odd techniques)
2. Design and message sort of become one (the “it started as a truck, then became a mecha, then a fighter, etc.” syndrome)

Anyhow, this is certainly the less common process, but I think it valid just the same. Do you agree? Should I be thinking about it in a different manner?

1. Idea/ Purpose (which is almost exactly your first few installments about message and communication.)
2. Form ( In our case Legos, and maybe photos of Legos.)
3. Idiom (or Genre ie. Steam Punk, Post Apoc, Cave Racer, Castle, etc.)
4. Structucre (composition/ design)
5. Craft (Lego building technique?)
6. Surface (The finish, Production Value, Shiny parts?)

Anyways, it’s a concept that I always thought applicable to all art forms. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you give it a read. And we can create a discussion of how to analyze if a MOC is any good based on these 6 aspects of creating art.