Subject:
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Re: Improving the adult image of LEGO
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:47:55 GMT
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Viewed:
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9623 times
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
> The other day I got another "You still play with LEGO?". I replied with: "No, I
> design and build models made from LEGO." That didn't seem to help much.
>
> I'd like to start a list of ideas and suggestions on how we might improve how
> other adults view LEGO as a hobby. Any ideas?
>
> Something that I think would help is LEGO or LEGO branded items in the work
> place. Nothing cooky or over-done, but something that is detailed enough to
> have people ask "Wow, is that really made of LEGO?" I thought about making nice
> looking book ends for my text books or a business card holder.
>
> Of course, I'd also like to see some other things like a leather note pad with a
> subtle LEGO logo and other items used or worn in the work place.
>
> Thoughts? Any other ways to improve the hobby image of LEGO?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
I think it may have a lot to do with your own feelings towards others. As I
read your post, I'm not sure of the tonal inflection of the person saying "you
still play with LEGO?"--is the inflection one of disgust, or one of excitement?
That in itself makes a big difference. As you are looking for ways to improve
the image, I would assume the tonal inflection is one of disgust, so to speak.
One of the first things I would try to notice of that particular type of
person--are they single, or a parent, and if a parent--what are their children
like? Often times, if you talk to a child (even bothering to get down on your
knees or down on one knee to talk to a child face-to-face, you will always get
the attention of the parent. If you can make a child smile, even show him/her a
few neat SNOT tricks with bricks (you can do a SNOT trick with 2 2x4's and 2
1x4's), you'll get that child so-wide eyed and excited, the parent cannot do
anything except smile and wonder--and you may even get the parent thinking about
things.
As a LEGO Brand Retail (part time) employee of almost seven years, much of my
AFOL involvement has served as a bonus, as there is definitely a bias of many
people I meet--being that they are guests/customers in a LEGO store. u
One of the best ways to improve the image of an AFOL is to be an inspiration,
not just by showing your models, but in talking to people, letting people touch
your creations, being positive.. let a child hold a solidly built MOC, put it in
his/her hands, inspire children to make something like your MOC at home. Give
building tips, such as SNOT, show how a building two studs deep is more sturdy
than a building one stud deep (and how you can recess windows back by a stud,
making it look more like a building). Those little bits of advice inspire young
builders to go home and try building more like "the pros".
(I do a lot of little tips and tricks to many younger builders at my store to
give that inspiration. Many times I'll get a "neat! I didn't even think about
that" from the parents. I think any decent parent always loves to see it when
the proverbial light bulb goes off in their child's head--and that right there
is one way to improve the AFOL image. Think about it. You as an AFOL, show
some child a way to do something. If you're with the parent, you can very well
inspire the child (and sometimes, the parent). That little advice you've given
them can very well stay with them for a while, and they'll remember you.
A story - After FLL in Atlanta, I was eating lunch with Joe Meno, Tommy
Armstrong, and two friends. A family with three boys were seated a table or two
over..on the table was a LEGO catalog, complete with the look of having been
thumbed through more than a few times. Of course, Tommy walked on over, noticed
the catalog, and gave them a few engraved bricks. Well, the excitement level of
the children went through the roof. A few weeks later, we saw them at the Yoda
build at the LEGO store. About 2-3 weeks ago, coming home from a LEGO store
event, I had my Green Grocer in the back of my car as I pulled into a Home Depot
to get some supplies. I came out, only to see a SUV next to mine, with the door
open and a few faces looking out the window, down into my car. Turns out..it
was the same family. As usual, the kids excitement was through the roof. I
almost felt bad for the parents, as the kids were probably talking about LEGO
stuff all the way home.
Now, that said, all that I've written thus far is skewed with a particular bias,
as those that I've met are already children and families that are familiar with
LEGO and enjoy it. So, it's not very hard to get them excited about the
product, as it's already there.
Providing inspiration for those who are not into LEGO building is much different
and a bit harder. In that case, pulling out a "That's made of LEGO?" creation
definitely helps--especially one that looks cool on a desk at work. What's
better is if you show an adult a creation that's not hard to build, and then
give a link to a picture site with more detailed pictures. You may find that
adult visiting the site and making his/her own desk creation from LEGO
bricks--and you may find that might be a key to getting a new AFOL to start
being creative and rediscovering his/her youth.
The key thing that I would say any AFOL needs to remember..if you can make
people smile by using LEGO pieces--it's a way to "improve" the AFOL image. And
above all else..smile when talking to the public, maintain a positive image, and
if a MOC breaks...it can (almost) always be put back together!
Scott
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