How designs are made
A small blog into all the steps a design goes through, from the idea to the finished build.
What are we building?
Just like most design work, my brick-built models have to start with an idea, a concept of what to build. While it’s not always the case, most projects aim to be replicas of real life objects, creatures, vehicles or architecture that either me or the client decides on.
Usually pictures, virtual or physical 3D-models or blueprints are either provided or researched to have a frame of reference.
Also, at this first step, specific customer requests are discussed and noted.
How are we building it?
While that question sounds silly at first, it’s really important to set yourself a few guidelines on how to design the thing you want to create - size, style and rigidity are all to be determined.
When requesting a monument replica at small scale for example, would you like it to be as exact to the real thing as possible, or do you prefer a LEGO reinterpretation, featuring abstracted proportions and maybe even a Minifigure?
The design
While technically just one of seven steps, the design itself is obviously the most important, fun but also time consuming part of the process.
While every designer has their own process, here’s the order in which I usually tackle my projects:
Start off with the most notable and complex sections, for example the front end of a car or a very speficic entrance to a building.
Once that one section is complete and looking good it’s about creating the physical base that holds the model together - usually some sort of big base plate.
Keep going along one edge of the build, focusing on the outside first. Especially on display models the looks are the most important thing!
Finish construction with the interior and structural sections on the inside being optimised, so it all holds together.
Following these steps I usually construct both a physical, colourful construction protoype using the parts available to me to proof concepts and building techniques, as well as a virtual model to confirm parts availability and final looks throughout the process. (using Studio 2.0, my software of choice)
This design process may take anywhere from 1 hour for very small builds to up to over 100 hours for the most complex of builds like my Zenvo TSR-S replica.
During the whole process updates are being shared with the customer and new ideas are integrated quickly.
Confirmation of the design
The digital design and physical prototype have a reached a stage that may be considered final?
Now it’s time to have a final check in with the customer to show off the work in the form of digital renderings, awaiting approval or requests for change. So far all my clients have been really happy with the work and only very minor adjustments had to be made.
Also, parts availability and final parts cost is being discussed and the parts are getting purchased.
Building the real thing
One of the most exiting parts of the process, seeing the design come together in the right colours in real life.
Keep in mind, at this stage there’s no proper instructions available for the model yet and it has to be constructed using only the virtual model - definitely not the easiest thing to do!
The instructions
With the design finished, we now get to the instructions - the least fun and most tedious process, usually taking up between 20-40% of the time the design took.
For larger builds it comes down to hours upon hours of defining steps, the order in which parts are placed in the build, and then setting the right camera perspective as well as page layout for each of these steps together with a lot of optimization.
The delivery
After everything is done and the instructions are already sent to the customer, the model either gets packed up really well in one piece, or it gets disassembled and parts are being sorted for a great building experience.
Bonus options
While just the standalone custom design and digital instructions are really cool, you might wanna check out the spicy extra options available!
Printed Instructions
Professionally printed instructions give a building experience that special touch, but single edition prints are expensive!
Lasercut Box
The most premium of packages, industrially lasercut wooden boxes with fancy graphics, minimalist design and special inserts for certain parts and printed instructions on the inside - the perfect option for a present, but those boxes have to be designed first, and lasercutting is no cheap undertaking!
Printed and 3D-Printed Parts
Making your unique model even more special with the use of special printed pieces, nameplates or certain graphics for example, or even 3D-printed pieces such as custom rims for your car. Printed pieces are surprisingly affortable and a must-have for custom architectural models!
