Lego Creator Expert

Lego Creator Expert (also referred to as Lego Expert or Creator Expert) is a series of Lego construction toys aimed at a demographic of adolescents and adults. Beginning in 2000 without an established logo or icon, Creator Expert features models such as aircraft, sculptures, and world buildings, selling as exclusives with numerous specialized elements and complex building techniques. Creator Expert is considered a challenge to both the target audience and Lego designers. All Creator Expert sets are classified into specified sub-themes, however the entirety of Creator Expert is classified as a sub-theme of Lego Creator.

Lego Creator Expert
The current rendition of the Creator Expert logo, tagged including the Lego Creator logo.
Sub‑themesAircraft, Sculptures, World Buildings, Trains, Maersk, Modular Buildings, Vehicles, Fairground, Winter Village, Space, Vestas and Botanical Collection
SubjectAdvanced models
Licensed fromThe Lego Group
Availability2000–Present
Total sets79
Official website

History

Background
Older exclusives, such as set 10214: Tower Bridge, were merged into the newly created subtheme.

Advanced Lego models began being featured in the mid-1980s under the subtheme of "Lego Model Team" (a subtheme of Lego System) and were discontinued in 1999 (with the exception of a re-release in 2004). Future advanced models received packaging without a logo and sold as Lego exclusives, beginning with set Statue of Liberty (set number: 3450) in 2000.[1] In this timeframe, multiple subthemes were released, such as Modular Buildings,[2] a series of resident, retail, and restaurant buildings introduced in 2007; and Winter Village, a series of winter-holiday themed models, sometimes delving into deep fiction (such as Gingerbread House (set number: 10267)[3][4][5]).

Creation

In 2013, advanced models were officially classified as under "Lego Creator Expert," a subtheme of Lego Creator, and received their own logo (which was updated multiple times in the future), beginning with Palace Cinema (set number: 10232).[6][7][8][9][10] This established theme of advanced models was considered to help shape Creator Expert's reputation for unorthodox techniques and distant design from typical models, with old exclusives receiving updated packaging and being merged into the newly created subtheme.

Retirement of Branding

In 2020, Lego announced that they will be retiring the "Creator Expert" branding, and replace it with "18+". The Lego Group cited the reason as to make it easier for adults to see which sets were meant for their age range. The Creator Expert theme remains, however, boxes do not feature the logo, and feature an all-black design.

Sub-themes

Most sub-themes aren't official and are rather classified by the majority of the Lego community. Some, such as Modular Buildings, are officially classified and recognized by the Lego company.

Set 10253: Big Ben, apart of the World Buildings subtheme.

Aircraft and sculptures

In the early 2000s (decade), Lego created various uncategorized exclusive sets relating to aircraft and sculptures, beginning with Statue of Liberty (set number: 3450) and Sopwith Camel (set number: 3451), which eventually evolved into sub-themes themselves. These sets featured large-scale sculptures and planes based on real-world aircraft, such a model based on the real-life Wright Flyer (set number: 10124).[11]

While the sculptures sub-theme ended shortly one year after its debut, the aircraft sub-theme continued; with three consecutive sets from 2001—2003 and two sets in 2006 and 2012, where the subtheme officially ended with an overhaul of the original Sopwith Camel (set number: 10226).[12][13]

World buildings

In the early-to-mid-2000s, more sub-themes were created. World buildings, a sub-theme centered on recreating famous landmarks (similar to Lego Architecture) began with set depicting the Eiffel Tower (set number: 10181).[14] The sub-theme has continued on, with releases such as Old Trafford—Manchester United (set number: 10272)[15] and Colosseum (set number: 10276).[16]

Set 10220: Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, apart of the Vehicles subtheme.

Modular Buildings
Main article: Lego Modular Buildings

In 2007, Lego released a Café Corner (set number: 10182). The set depicted a near 2,000 piece, three-story structure that gave the builder the option to remove individual floors to access the interior (which was empty) accompanied by minifigures and semi-complex building techniques. In the following time, one set was released consecutively each year mirroring the original design of the Cafe Corner, creating an official sub-theme and rapidly gaining popularity amongst its target audience of adults and teenagers with its assortment of retail, real estate, eatery, office, and other buildings, becoming one of the most renowned Creator Expert subthemes.

In 27 November 2020, the 2021 modular building was revealed as being a large three-story police station with a donut shop and newspaper stand on the sides. Police Station (set number: 10278) will be the sixteenth set in the Modular Building line and has been released on 1 January 2021.[17] The side of the building features a large poster for "Soap 'n' Suds", a reference to the laundromat featured in the Brick Bank set.

Vehicles
Set 10247: Ferris Wheel, part of the Fairground subtheme

In 2008, an exclusive model was released depicting a Volkswagen Beetle (set number: 10187) 1960 'Charlotte' model. In following years, numerous large-scale sets mimicking real-life motor vehicles were released, and, beginning in 2014, one set was released consecutively each year, beginning an organized sub-theme. There was also a re-release of the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle (set number: 10252)[18][19] in 2016. The sub-theme has continued on, with releases such as James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (set number: 10262),[20][21] Ford Mustang (set number: 10265)[22][23][24] a recreation of the 1967 automobile[25][26], Harley-Davidson Fat Boy (set number: 10269)[27] a V-twin softail cruiser motorcycle with solid-cast disc wheels and Porsche 911 (set number: 10295)[28] is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car.

Winter Village

In 2009, a sub-theme named Winter Village was released, focusing on winter-holiday themed sets beginning in 2009 and has since consecutively released one set each year. The 12 sets being released were Winter Village Toy Shop (set number: 10199), Winter Village Bakery (set number: 10216), Winter Village Post Office (set number: 10222), Winter Village Cottage (set number: 10229),[29] Winter Village Market (set number: 10235),[30] Santa’s Workshop (set number: 10245),[31] Winter Toy Shop (set number: 10249),[32] Winter Holiday Train (set number: 10254),[33] Winter Village Station (set number: 10259),[34][35] Winter Village Fire Station (set number: 10263),[36][37] Gingerbread House (set number: 10267)[3][4][5] and Elf Clubhouse (set number: 10275).[38][39][40][41][42]

Botanical Collection

In 2020, a sub-theme named Botanical Collection would be released on 2 January 2021. The two sets being released were Flower Bouquet (set number: 10280)[43] and Bonsai Tree (set number: 10281).[44]

Other Sub-themes

Other sub-themes include Trains (sets depicting various types of trains), Fairground (sets depicting Amusement Park attractions),[45] Maersk, Vestas[46] and Space (a small amount of sets revolving around spacecraft, also including real-life models).[47][48]

Design
Set 10234: Sydney Opera House.
Set 10276: Colosseum.

Challenges

Creator Expert designer Jamie Berard has commented multiple times on the challenges of set design. Sydney Opera House (set number: 10234) was mentioned as one of the most difficult sets to design, and past attempts had always resulted in failure.[49][50]

Prior to that, Jamie Berard also mentioned Green Grocer (set number: 10185)[51] was a difficult model to design, and became one of his favorites due to the set's result.[52]

Cafe Corner (set number: 10182) was also commented as a difficult model to design due to piece limitation. The designer (Jamie Berard) wanted to add a bicycle piece into the set but the machine was temporarily broken, and he also had to work with instruction designers to implement set techniques onto the instructions since most were different from regular set design.

Reception

Fairly high reception has been provided to Creator Expert. Newsweek praised Taj Mahal (set number: 10256),[53][54][55][56] due to its design, construction, and high piece count. Reviewer Joe Meno points out Green Grocer (set number: 10185) has clear instructions and "so many fun surprises and tricks used in the model."

Controversy

There has been controversy in the Lego community amongst which sets are considered a part of Creator Expert, and, if so, which sub-theme.

In the Winter Village sub-theme, there has been a dispute whether Holiday Train (set number: 10173) is a part of the sub-theme. Some of the Lego community argues it lacks being in consecutive order with the sets from 2009–2019, while the rest of the community argues it still sparks a holiday atmosphere and, therefore, should be included in the sub-theme.[57]

In the Modular Buildings sub-theme, there was a long-term debate with Market Street (set number: 10190). The debate was whether it was a part of the sub-theme, matching all of the characteristics of a modular building, yet being targeted toward lower age, lower piece count and is categorized as "Factory" as it was designed by a fan. However, the debate has thought to come to an end after Lego announced Market Street (set number: 10190) as part of their modular building line in their 10-year anniversary celebration.

See also

References
  1. "Win the LEGO® Statue of Liberty from Guinness World Records 2019". Guinness World Records. October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. "LEGO Systems, Inc. Unveils Hundreds of Building Sets and Complimentary Digital Experiences to Champion Imaginative Play in 2017". PR Newswire. February 17, 2017.
  3. "LEGO Creator Gingerbread House (10267) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  4. "LEGO Creator Gingerbread House (10267) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  5. Fahey, Mike (September 12, 2019). "Lego's Gingerbread House Holds Disturbing Secrets". Kotaku. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  6. "LEGO Creator Expert Palace Cinema (10232) Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  7. "LEGO Creator Expert Palace Cinema (10232) Images Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  8. "LEGO Creator Expert Cinema Palace (10232) Press Release". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  9. "10232 Palace Cinema available now". Brickset. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  10. Palace Cinema - LEGO Creator Expert - 10232 - Designer Video. January 23, 2013 – via YouTube.
  11. Whiston, Nadia (10 December 2018). "Win the LEGO® Wright Flyer from Guinness World Records 2019". Guinness World Records. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  12. "Sopwith Camel press release". Brickset. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  13. LEGO 10226 Sopwith Camel. May 7, 2012 – via YouTube.
  14. "LEGO Architecture Eiffel Tower Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  15. Lego Group (13 January 2020). "Celebrating 110 years of Old Trafford - iconic stadium gets its own LEGO® set". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  16. Lego Group (13 November 2020). "BEHOLD THE MAJESTY OF THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM, NOW IN YOUR LIVING ROOM". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  17. Lego Group (27 November 2020). "THREE-FLOOR POLICE STATION JOINS THE LEGO® MODULAR BUILDINGS COLLECTION". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  18. "LEGO Creator Volkswagen Beetle (10252) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  19. "10252 VW Beetle press release". Brickset. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  20. Lego Group (18 July 2018). "Uncover the secrets of 007's most famous vehicle with the LEGO® Creator Expert James Bond™ Aston Martin DB5". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  21. "LEGO Creator James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (10262) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  22. Lego Group (22 February 2019). "Bringing a classic icon of the roas to the LEGO® Creator Expert range with new Ford Mustang set". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  23. "LEGO Creator Ford Mustang (10265) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  24. "LEGO Creator Ford Mustang (10265) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  25. "Ford Mustang revs up for March release". Brickset. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  26. Holmes, Jake (February 22, 2019). "Lego's 1967 Ford Mustang kit challenges builders with 1,500 pieces". CNET. Roadshow. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  27. Lego Group (9 July 2019). "Riders rejoice as the LEGO Group introduces LEGO® Creator Expert Harley-Davidson® Fat Boy®". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  28. Lego Group (28 January 2021). "LEGO® CAR FAMILY ADDS A NEW VERSION OF A LEGEND: TWO-IN-ONE LEGO PORSCHE 911 TURBO AND 911 TARGA SET REVEALED". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  29. "LEGO Winter Village Cottage (10229) Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  30. "LEGO Creator Expert Winter Village Market (10235) Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  31. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Santa's Workshop (10245) Officially Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  32. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Winter Toy Shop (10249) Officially Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  33. "LEGO Creator Winter Holiday Train (10254) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  34. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Station (10259) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  35. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Station (10259) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  36. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Fire Station (10263) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  37. "LEGO Creator Winter Village Fire Station (10263) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  38. "LEGO Winter Village 2020 Elf Club House (10275) First Look". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  39. Lego Group (21 September 2020). "Build the LEGO® Elf Club House and Bring the Magic of Christmas Into Your Home". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  40. "LEGO Winter Village Elf Club House (10275) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  41. "LEGO Winter Village Elf Club House (10275) Q&A with Chris McVeigh". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  42. "LEGO Winter Village Elf Club House (10275) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  43. "Interview with Anderson Ward Grubb, designer of 10280 Flower Bouquet". Brickset. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  44. Lego Group (30 December 2020). "Let creativity bloom with new botanical builds from the LEGO Group". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  45. Lego Group (13 May 2020). "PREPARE TO BE SPOOKED WITH THE BRAND-NEW LEGO® HAUNTED HOUSE SET". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  46. Lego Group (26 September 2018). "OUT OF THE VAULT & available soon to fans – The NEW LEGO® Creator Expert Vestas® Wind Turbine". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  47. Pearlman, Robert (May 30, 2019). "The Lego 'Eagle' Has Landed: NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander Revealed". Space. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  48. Lego Group (16 July 2019). "The LEGO Group kicks off global program to inspire the next generation of space explorers as NASA celebrates 50 years of moon landing". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  49. "LEGO Creator Expert Sydney Opera House (10234) Revealed". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  50. Sydney Opera House - LEGO Creator Expert - Designer Video. June 15, 2013 – via YouTube.
  51. "Green Grocer Set Now Available". Brickset. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  52. 10214 Tower Bridge. July 30, 2010 – via YouTube.
  53. "LEGO Creator Taj Mahal (10256) Officially Announced". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  54. "LEGO Creator Taj Mahal (10256) Designer Video". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  55. "LEGO Creator Taj Mahal (10256) Now Available". thebrickfan.com. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  56. "Taj Mahal available now". Brickset. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  57. "A Home for the Holidays". The Lego Brick Guy. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.