Martin Redfern’s work seems simple at first glance until you look closely and see the hidden complexity of each quirky character. We chat with him about his broad portfolio of MOCs and what building LEGO means to him.
Read MoreMost of you should be familiar with Eero "Pate Keetongu" Okkonen. His MOCs have been gracing the pages of BrickNerd since we started over three years ago. His style is quirky, in both building and life, and he has a fun and optimistic outlook that I think you'll find endearing.
Read MoreThe name Kosmas "Kos" Santosa should be very familiar to readers of BrickNerd. His build style, imagination and photography skills are so good that just about everything he posts gets blogged here. I realize that sort of makes me a bit of a fanboy, but I defy you to argue against it. He is also very active in the Indonesian as well as online AFOL community, furthering the hobby with generosity and a singular wit.
Read MoreI've come to expect several things in my daily browsing of Flickr: To be amazed that Yahoo has changed yet something else, someone will have a picture of a LEGO Stormtrooper doing something, and a new MOC from Karf. I can think of no more prolific builder than this unassuming man from down under, and he continuities to amaze and delight me with daily offerings of whimsy and humor.
Read MoreThe list of AFOLs that have actually visited my little studio here in Lompoc "middle of nowhere" California is pretty small. Not many are willing to make the long trip out of the way. So when Jimmy Forte (AKA 6kyubi6) and his lovely wife were visiting from France and willing to make the 3 hour trip from Los Angeles to visit, I was delighted. We ended up spending most of the day together, toured my dinky studio, had lunch at my favorite local burger joint Tom's, shared wine and mexican food at my house later and had a great time.
Read MoreOne of the things I most love about the AFOL community is it knows no borders and speaks a common language. I have contact with builders from all over the world, and very much enjoy sharing their work on this blog. Through it I have made friends in so many countries I've lost count. It also exposes me to different pop culture, that while I may not completely understand, I can totally appreciate. One of these builders is Mike Dung. He's one of the reigning kings of manga builders, and his lovely characters are responsible for a great many Google searches on my part, but all worth it.
Read MoreThere are few in the castle genre that haven't heard of David Hensel, AKA Legonardo Davidy, and there are a great many outside the theme (and AFOL community) that have marveled at his creations. His unorthodox, fluid and organic style is eye catching and splendid, and he is a pioneer of building techniques.
His work continually leaves me in awe, and his down-to-earth attitude and humble personality make his MOCs even more appealing. I'm very happy to let you all get to know him a little better.
Read MoreI was recently scrolling through all the previously featured builders and thought it was really about time I featured a female. I know the hobby is hugely gender-skewed to the dumber of the sexes (myself included guys) but there are some amazing lady builders out there and I'm past due featuring one. Coincidently about that same time I stumbled across Episode 108 of Beyond The Brick featuring Mel Finelli and I thought her story, her MOCs and her outlook on life were great.
Read MoreWhen I met Ed Diment back in 2010 it was immediately evident I was speaking to an AFOL of particular dedication. Of course I met him in the shadow of his phenomenal USS Intrepid, which at 22 feet long just stopped you in your tracks while you picked up your jaw. I soon after discovered he's also a very likable, funny guy with a love for life just as powerful as his passion for the bricks.
Read MoreChris McVeigh is one of those builders who has something for everyone. I'm not saying that his portfolio is so vast that he's bound to have done something to please you, I'm saying that his work is so clean, so appealing and so invested with heartfelt nostalgia, that it's irresistible.
Read MoreFor a great many admirers, myself included, Jon Hall rules the skies. His whimsical, detailed and imaginative aircraft have been delighting LEGO fans for years. Not only are they expertly designed and built, but Jon takes so much care in the photography and photo editing that his work simply stands alone. And it's not just brick, Jon takes meticulous care to design a pilot for every craft, and beautiful stickers that rival official LEGO stickers. Each piece is a work of art, from the spinner to the rudder, and everything in between.
Read MoreSomeone once described Andrew as "too cool to be one of us, yet he is" and I thought that summed up Andrew pretty well. He's definitely cooler than me. Yet he's not afraid to let his geeky side show, with an open love of most things nerdy. He also happens to be one of the most talented builders in the AFOL scene, even winning the latest round of Iron Builder. With his shades on, a beer in one hand and a mind-blowing MOC in the other, Andrew brings the party to wherever he is.
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Ever since I discovered the AFOL community (you mean I'm not the only one?) I've been a fan of Brandon's work. His building style is clean and whimsical, and rooted in art and pop culture. His diverse portfolio spans multiple genres and building styles, and bridges the LEGO fan world and the general public. All of his work has a touch of humor (and sometimes more than a touch) and a broad appeal.
Read MoreEver wonder what goes into the design of LEGO set packaging? BrickNerd has you covered as we dive into the rules, standards and design sensibilities that go into creating an appealing product for store shelves.
What happens when a lifelong Trekkie, AFOL and professional toy designer finally gets an official LEGO Star Trek playset? Samuel Hatmaker explores the new Enterprise bridge and shows why playing Star Trek matters as much as displaying it.
We spoke with several Autistic AFOLs who shared their experiences with LEGO regarding coping, community, collecting and catharsis. And we found that Autism can be both a challenge and a superpower when it comes to LEGO.
What do you do when a LEGO Pokémon set doesn’t quite hit the mark? Take it apart and create an alternate build using only the pieces from the original set! But how do you level up a character as recognizable as Pikachu?
What happens when a LEGO builder who knows almost nothing about Pokémon takes on the entire Smart Play wave? We explore the colorful and curvy sets and then remix them into crazy creations far beyond the Pokédex.
Who was Susan Williams and why was her impact on people’s perception of LEGO so significant? Join BrickNerd as we piece together the illustrious career of this mysterious LEGO employee.
Have you ever wondered what the LEGO community was like in the 2000s? Today's guest writer and veteran builder, Nannan Zhang, shares his thoughts on building and sharing MOCs online for the past 20 years.
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September has arrived with a fresh selection of LEGO contests and challenges. Don’t miss your chance to build a MOC and maybe even win some awesome LEGO prizes. With SHIPtember, the Brick Train Awards, and the return of the BrickLink Designer Program, there’s plenty of inspiration to start building!