What Not To Ask A Set Designer
Entry posted by Aanchir
528 views
- Do NOT ask why we have fewer new pieces than we used to, because we don't. Toa Mata had 21 new parts, Bohrok had 24 (and only if you count every type of Krana, which not even a full set of six Bohrok will get you), Bohrok Kal had... 6, Rahkshi had 27, Toa Metru had 22 (in the US), Vahki had 12 (again, in the US), Toa Hordika had 23 (in the US), Visorak had 15 (you know the drill), Piraka had 22, Toa Inika had 24, Barraki had 25, Toa Mahri had 22, Phantoka had 24, and Mistika had 22. Clearly people who think there are fewer new parts per series today than in the early years of BIONICLE either are too lazy to count or don't know how.
- Do NOT ask why we have not gotten a new construction style since 2006. Technically, we have. The Barraki were loaded with different torso constructions, even if the limbs were mostly the same as we've had since 2006. The Makuta Mistika, meanwhile, had equally creative torso constructions, and like the Makuta Phantoka had creative limbs, to boot.
- Do NOT think that we have fewer Toa constructions than usual, either. True, the Toa Inika, Mahri, and Nuva Phantoka/Mistika have all had relatively similar torso constructions. But bear in mind that we have had three torso pieces for Toa since 2006-- the Inika torso (with a fair variety of supplemental armor styles in and of itself), the Piraka torso, and the Kongu Mahri torso. Three isn't many unless you consider that we had only ONE torso construction for Toa between 2001 and 2003. 2004-2005 Toa all had the same torso as well, besides the Toa Hordika who may or may not count in your own opinion.
- Do NOT think that the torsos we have had on recent Toa have been blocky and unuseable. It doesn't take a genius to tell that the same could be said of the Rahkshi torsos, the Bohrok torsos (more on the "blocky" charge than the "unuseable" one in this case), the Mata/Nuva torsos, the Toa Metru torsos, and the Toa Hordika torsos. While a good MOCist can put any of these torsos to use, it's easier to use a Piraka or Inika torso in most cases, and LEGO has proven that time and time again with our Titan and Warrior sets.
- Do NOT think that the blue and red pins have ANYTHING to do with set design. The need for those is decided by focus groups and market research, not by the whims of the set designers. They will be changed back as soon as the target market decides that it is a good decision, which could as easily be next summer as never (though one would have to wonder what reason there could possibly be for a soon change when the blue and red pins are more of an asset than a liability among any but serious collectors).
- Do NOT ask why LEGO caters to the desires of younger or newer fans before older, devoted ones. The reason is obvious: They've always done that, and better to satisfy reasonable standards than those that have become ridiculously high through MOCing, etc. ToM Dracone is the ONLY MOCist who I have seen develop reasonable means of satiating older fans and their taste for nostalgia.
- Do NOT ask why the new Nuva look "nothing" like the old ones. At least, don't phrase it like that. Greg has told us multiple times that the set designers tried to maintain similarities where it was important, and there's no need to diss the set designers on having different priorities than the typical older fan.
There are of course plenty of decent questions to ask. On page 3 of the questions I asked my own, while I'm encouraging Lyichir to post some others we've thought of. I'd list these, but I'd hate those questions to end up dupes! 
But you're safest to ask "what" questions rather than "why"-- what to expect, what any aspect of set design entails, or what role other LEGO staff might have in set design. I hope the questions returned are all useful-- remember, "Ask a stupid question..."
With all due respect,
Aanchir: Rachira of Time
5 Comments
Recommended Comments