Subject:
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Re: High praise for Designer Set #4100
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Sun, 13 Apr 2003 18:17:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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1095 times
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In lugnet.general, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> Much snippage. I too cannot say enough great things about the Designer
> series. These are roots LEGO(r) sets and they rock.
I would agree, though I would characterize it just *slightly* differently.
I would say that these sets draw from the roots of LEGO, but that they are
more fully formed branches... off the same tree.
In my original post I suggested that the new sets were not unlike some of
the old Universal Building sets. But I would wonder if those old sets
weren't more 'basic brick-centric'. More 2 x X bricks, more 1 x X bricks,
more standard slopes, plates and wheels. While the Designer Sets happily
incorporate more of the newer and more exotic slopes, wedges, transparent
tiles, plates, and one of my fav parts... the 1 x 1 with studs on all sides.
(where were those pieces when I was young?)
This is just my overall feeling of course, not based on any actual piece by
piece comparison. In fact, Larry you are probably surprised to hear me say
that I like the not-so-basic selection better... or at least just as well.
While I've often argued against specialty pieces, I find myself waffling
when it comes to things like the newer wedge pieces and some of the smaller
bits, like jumpers and the like. While not basic 'bricks' I do find them
highly reusable, which I really enjoy. Not to mention some of the more
realistic shapes that become possible, when you can step out of the basic
square or rectangular designs of pure basic bricks.
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Allan Bedford writes:
> > A couple of final observations:
> >
> > Another major aspect of the Designer Set series that really caught my eye
> > was the attention to color schemes. The 4100 set, for example, is primarily
> > red, white, and dark and light grey. This works on two levels. First, by
> > itself, the set makes some nice models with consistent colors. Second, as a
> > parts pack, it nicely adds quantities of similar colored parts to your
> > collection. The color co-ordination seems to more or less carry through the
> > other sets in the series also.
>
> This is one of my favorite features of the sets as well. MichLUG had a draft
> from the aircraft set last weekend and I didn't participate because I was
> thinking to myself, why bother getting more of some and less of others? I
> wanted ALL the parts from the sets.
Yup, I'm pretty much in the same boat. For the price, I can't think of a
better selection of pieces overall. I will hopefully pick up at least one
of each of the sets as soon as possible. The store where I shopped on
Friday is already going to hold a copy of the 4101 Creatures set for me as
soon as they get more in.
> > Also, the selection of pieces appears to have been a careful process. This
> > isn't just a bunch of parts tossed into a box and called a set. It appears
> > to have been a deliberate attempt to find parts that work well together and
> > yet also work well apart. A delicate balance and one that speaks volumes
> > about the attention to detail that obviously went into this series.
>
> My only beef, mentioned elsewhere, is with the use of click hinges. I like
> the older 2-3 fingered plate hinges better.
I agree and yet don't mind the click bricks all that much... in the right
context. I would also have liked to see the plate hinges though. Or, even
full sized 2 x 4 hinges. If you look at the crane on the back of the truck
in the main model featured on the 4100 Idea Book, you notice the effect they
achieved with click bricks. Years ago, in something like the 387
Construction Set, they achieved a similar effect using plates and the 2 x 4
plate hinges. I always liked that part.
> > Finally... along with the Designer sets I bought, I also picked up all four
> > of the Star Wars minis. While putting together the bonus ship, I wondered
> > if a similar bonus couldn't be applied to the Designer series. Not more
> > parts in the sets... but rather a 'Master Designer's Idea Book'. Something
> > that could be sold as a separate product and would offer further ideas and
> > models that could be accomplished using all of the sets from the series.
> > What a good way to not only share more building ideas with fans, but to also
> > encourage more sales from this wonderful line of sets.
>
> This is an absolutely awesome idea. Done right it would be hundreds of
> pages, though... wonder if there would be a market for it. I'd buy one though!
Me too. There is always more to learn.
I know that in talking to parents, and from some of the emails I've received
via my website, that Idea Books in general are in at least moderate demand.
A full-blown product, along this line, would hopefully sell well on its own,
while at the same time adding to sales of the Designer Sets. Let's keep our
fingers crossed. :)
> > Thanks again to LEGO for such good work.
>
> Indeed, and thanks, Allan, for sharing your detailed review. It's awesome
> when TLC gets something really really right.
Awesome... and important to point out. It's easy to complain about
something. Trust me, I know from experience. :) But it's often the good
work that gets overlooked. It's very important, if you ask me, to take the
time to tell a company when you feel they are doing something right. I have
always promised myself that when LEGO put out any sets I liked, that I would
try to let them know. I have done that in two ways. First, by posting an
open letter... which *hopefully* someone there might read. And, most
importantly, by praising the work with my wallet. Since beginning to buy
LEGO as an adult, this is probably the quickest I've bought a new set after
its initial release. And I'll be buying more.
> Here's hoping these sets are
> around for a long time, along with more of the same next year.
I couldn't agree more.
All the best!
Allan B.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: High praise for Designer Set #4100
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| In lugnet.general, Allan Bedford writes: (snipment of Allan and Larry) I've just got back from LLW where us Brickishers have been doing a display (more about that later from someone with a camera I expect) and while there I popped up to the shop to (...) (22 years ago, 13-Apr-03, to lugnet.general)
| | | Re: High praise for Designer Set #4100
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| (...) (idea book) (...) Indeed. Here's an idea about idea books. What if TLC went with an alternate distribution channel? We know that sets seem to have shorter and shorter lifespans on store shelves these days what with faster rotation and so (...) (22 years ago, 13-Apr-03, to lugnet.general)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: High praise for Designer Set #4100
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| Much snippage. I too cannot say enough great things about the Designer series. These are roots LEGO(r) sets and they rock. (...) This is one of my favorite features of the sets as well. MichLUG had a draft from the aircraft set last weekend and I (...) (22 years ago, 13-Apr-03, to lugnet.general)
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