Lego Ideas (formerly known as Lego Cuusoo and stylized in start case) is a website run by Chaordix and The Lego Group, which allows users to submit ideas for Lego products to be turned into potential sets available commercially, with the original designer receiving 1% of the royalties.[2] It started in 2008 as an offshoot of the Japanese company Cuusoo, named after the Japanese word 空想 kūsō (daydream, fantasy).
 | |
| Other names | Lego Cuusoo (2008–2014) |
|---|---|
| Subject | Community Supported Builds |
| Licensed from | The Lego Group |
| Availability | 2008–present |
| Total sets | 56[1] |
| Official website | |
Background
Lego Ideas was first introduced as an offshoot of the Japanese company CUUSOO, produced as a collaboration between CUUSOO and The Lego Group. Titled LEGO CUUSOO, the site was labeled a beta site and remained so until the unveiling of Lego Ideas as a finished product.[3] In 2014, the platform moved to Chaordix.[4]
Process
User submission phase
Users express their idea by combining a written description of the idea and a sample Lego model that demonstrates the concept into a project page. Once the page is published it is viewable to other users. The goal of every project is to be supported by 10,000 different users, which would then make the project eligible for review. At first, projects would be kept on the Cuusoo/Ideas website for up to two years and then taken down if the project did not reach the 10,000 required votes of support. Lego Ideas later changed the threshold to include a minimum number of 100 votes in the first 60 days after submission or the project would expire, followed by a year to reach 1,000 votes, another six months to reach 5,000 votes and finally six months to reach the 10,000 supported votes.
Originally, project submissions were allowed to be about anything and had no limits on the size and style of project. After sets began to be rejected with stated reasons, Lego Ideas announced restrictions on content including the use of no new part molds, banning intellectual properties owned by competing toy companies, and adult content. Lego Ideas further restricted project submissions in June 2016 by limiting the size of the project to a maximum of 3,000 pieces, any project replicating a life-size weapon, and any project based on an intellectual property already produced as a set by Lego Ideas/Cuusoo.[5] Ideas further restricted submissions in 2017 by disallowing any projects based on third-party licenses already being produced by Lego, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter.[6]
All eligible projects are collectively reviewed in the order of whichever projects hit 10,000 supporters within any of the three tri-annual deadlines of May, September, or January.
Review phase
Due to the increasing number of project submissions based on ideas that The Lego Group would reject, Lego Ideas has refined its submission standards over the years.
Since its inception, a number of sets that have reached the 10,000 vote threshold have been rejected during the review for various reasons. Some rejected sets have been based on specific intellectual properties were rejected due to the content matter presented. Any theme that relates to alcohol, sex, drugs, religious references, post-World War II warfare or based on a first-person shooter is deemed inappropriate for younger Lego fans.[2] IPs that have been rejected for this reason have been based on Firefly[7] and Shaun of the Dead.[8]
Other projects which have been rejected include ones based on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic due to the property being owned by rival toy manufacturer Hasbro,[9] certain sets based on The Legend of Zelda due to the need to create too many original molds, although Lego did not completely rule out other projects based on the franchise,[10] and a Sandcrawler set for the Ultimate Collector Series due to The Lego Group's ongoing collaboration with Lucasfilm on Lego Star Wars.[11]
In the first 2015 review, announced in October 2015, no projects were selected for the first time[12] as the many projects were rejected for various reasons. Many of these projects would not have met the revised submission standards issued in June 2016.
A record 26 projects qualified for the first 2020 review followed by another record 35 qualified projects in the second 2020 review.[13][14] Lego cited the sudden increase in projects surpassing the 10,000 vote threshold was likely due to the global lockdown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] The first 2021 review phase saw yet another record number with 57 qualified projects[16] after one project was disqualified due to an intellectual property conflict.[17][18]
Production phase
If the product is cleared for production, it is further developed by Lego set designers and the final model gets released as an official set under the "Lego Ideas" banner. Users that have their projects produced receive ten copies of the final set, as well as a 1% royalty of the product's net sales and credit and bio in set materials as the Lego Ideas set creator.[3][19]
Sets
As of July 1, 2022 50 sets have been produced and 69 sets have been announced (including GWP sets):
Set based on an original idea
Set based on an existing intellectual property
Sets are listed in order of announcement. Bold line indicates when branding changed from Cuusoo to Ideas. Flags represent the creators country of origin.
| Cuusoo/Ideas # | Set # | Set name (Project title) | Released | Creator name (username) | Project | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #001 | 21100 | Shinkai 6500 Submarine (Shinkai Expedition) | February 17, 2011 (Japan) |  (at_guy) | Link | Only released in Japan. | |
| #002 | 21101 | Hayabusa (Asteroid Exploration Spacecraft Hayabusa) | March 1, 2012 (Japan) July 11, 2012 (international) | Daisuke Okubo (daisuke)[20] | Link | First announced Cuusoo set to be internationally available.[21] | |
| #003 | 21102[22] | Minecraft Micro World (Lego Minecraft) | June 1, 2012 |  Mojang | Link | Based on the video game Minecraft.[23] First set to start a new Lego theme Lego Minecraft. | |
| #004 | 21103 | The DeLorean Time Machine (Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine) | August 1, 2013 | Masashi Togami & Sakuretsu | Link | Based on the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine.[24] Lego also used this license for character and level packs in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game. | |
| #005 | 21104 | NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover (Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover) | January 1, 2014 |  Stephen Pakbaz (Perijove) | Link | Based on the NASA Mars Curiosity Rover. | |
| #006 | 21108 | Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary)[25] | June 1, 2014 |  Brent Waller (BrentWaller) | Link | Based on the Ecto-1 from the Ghostbusters franchise. Second set to inspire a Lego theme from the set with a set based on the Ghostbusters' firehouse and one on the 2016 film. Lego also used this license for character and level packs in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game. | |
| #007 | 21109 | Exo Suit (Exo Suit) | August 1, 2014 |  Peter Reid (PeterReid) | Link | Influenced by the Classic Lego Space sets. | |
| #008 | 21110 | Research Institute (Female Minifigure Set) | August 1, 2014 |  Ellen Kooijman (Alatariel) | Link | ||
| #009 | 21301 | Birds (Lego Bird Project) | January 1, 2015 | Tom Poulsom (DeTomaso) | Link | Includes models of a blue jay, robin, and hummingbird. | |
| #010 | 21302 | The Big Bang Theory (The Big Bang Theory) | August 1, 2015 | Ellen Kooijman (Alatariel) | Link | Based on the TV series The Big Bang Theory. Kooijman's second approved Ideas set. | |
| #011[26] | 21304 | Doctor Who (Doctor Who and Companions) | December 1, 2015[27] | Andrew Clark (AndrewClark2) | Link | Based on the BBC TV series Doctor Who. Lego also used this license for character and level packs in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game. | |
| #012[a][26] | 21303 | WALL-E (WALL-E) | September 1, 2015 | Angus MacLane (MacLane)[28] | Link | Based on the Pixar film WALL-E, a film that MacLane worked on as the directing animator. The set was re-released twice due to issues regarding neck stability of the set. The second release fixed these issues.[29] | |
| #013[30] | 21305 | Maze (Labyrinth Marble Maze) | April 1, 2016[31] |  Jason Allemann (JKBrickworks) | Link | A Labyrinth marble game puzzle built from Lego bricks. | |
| #014[32] | 21307[33] | Caterham Seven 620R[33] (Caterham Super Seven) | October 1, 2016[33] | Carl Greatrix (bricktrix_Carl) | Link | Based on the classic British sports car. | |
| #016[32] | 21308 | Adventure Time (Brick-built Adventure Time figures) | December 26, 2016[34] |  Ludovic Piraud (aBetterMonkey) | Link | Based on the animated series Adventure Time. Lego also used this license for character and level packs in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game. | |
| #015[35] | 21306 | The Beatles Yellow Submarine (Beatles Yellow Submarine) | November 1, 2016 | Kevin Szeto (kevinszeto) | Link | Based on the Beatles' animated film Yellow Submarine. | |
| #017[35] | 21309 | NASA Apollo Saturn V (Apollo 11 Saturn V) | June 1, 2017 |  Felix Stiessen (saabfan) Valérie Roche (whatsuptoday) | Link | Based on the rocket used for NASA's Apollo 11 Moon mission, with the number of pieces matching the year the mission took place. Due to the set's popularity, it was re-released in 2020 as set number 92176.[36] | |
| #018[37] | 21310 | Old Fishing Store (Old Fishing Store) | September 1, 2017 | Robert Bontenbal (RobenAnne)[38] | Link | ||
| #019[39] | 21312 | Women of NASA (Women of NASA) | November 1, 2017 | Maia Weinstock (20tauri)[40] | Link | Based on accomplished women who have worked for NASA.[41] | |
| #020[42] | 21313 | Ship in a Bottle (Ship In A Bottle, The Flagship Leviathan) | February 1, 2018 | Jacob Sadovich (JakeSadovich77)[43] | Link | A Ship in a bottle built from Lego bricks. Due to the set's popularity, it was re-released in 2020 as set number 92177.[36] | |
| #021[44] | 21314 | TRON: Legacy (Tron Legacy Light Cycle)[45] | March 31, 2018 | Tom & Drew (BrickBros UK)[46] | Link | Based on the vehicle that appears in the film Tron: Legacy. | |
| #022[42] | 21311 | Voltron (Voltron – Defender of the Universe) | August 1, 2018 |  Leandro Tayag (len_d69)[47] | Link | Based on animated series Voltron.[48] | |
| #023[49] | 21315 | Pop-Up Book (Pop-Up Book) | November 1, 2018 | Jason Allemann (JKBrickworks) Grant Davis (Grant_Davis_)[50] | Link | Based on the classic fairy tales, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk. Allemann's second approved Ideas set. | |
| #024[51] | 21316 | The Flintstones (The Flintstones) | March 1, 2019 | Andrew Clark (AndrewClark2)[52] | Link | Based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon The Flintstones. Clark's second approved Ideas set. | |
| #026[51] | 21318 | Tree House (Treehouse) | August 1, 2019 | Kevin Feeser (KevinTreeHouse)[53] | Link | ||
| #025[b][55][56] | 21317 | Steamboat Willie (Steamboat Willie) | April 1, 2019 |  Máté Szabó (szabomate90)[57] | Link | Based on the Walt Disney Studios short film Steamboat Willie. | |
| #027[55] | 21319 | Central Perk (The Central Perk Coffee of Friends) | September 1, 2019 | Aymeric Fievet (Mric76)[58] | Link | Based on the TV series Friends. Lego used the license for a second Friends set under the LEGO Icons brand in 2021.[59] | |
| #028[60] | 21320 | Dinosaur Fossils (Dinosaurs Fossils Skeletons - Natural History Collection) | November 1, 2019 | Jonathan Brunn (Mukkinn)[61] | Link | Includes fossil skeleton models of a Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Pteranodon. | |
| #029[62] | 21321 | International Space Station (International Space Station) | February 1, 2020 |  Christoph Ruge (XCLD)[63] | Link | Based on the International Space Station. Initially an Ideas project that did not pass review; first project to win a fan vote against other rejected projects to become a set. | |
| #030[64] | 21322 | Pirates of Barracuda Bay (The Pirate Bay) | April 1, 2020 |  Pablo Sánchez Jiménez (Bricky–Brick)[65] | Link | The project was inspired by the classic Lego Pirates theme. The released set incorporated many design features from the 6285 Black Seas Barracuda pirate ship released in 1989, and can be built either as a pirate shipwreck on an island or the pirate ship due to its modular design. | |
| #031[64] | 21323 | Grand Piano (Playable Lego Piano) | August 1, 2020 |  Donny Chen (SleepyCow)[66] | Link | Initially qualified for the third review of 2018, but was not approved until the first review of 2019. The released set features a working 25-key keyboard compatible with the Lego Powered Up mobile app, a piece with Lego's first logo from 1934 to 1936 printed on it, and a sheet music piece featuring an original composition by Chen, "Playday", which was performed in a video made for his original submission.[67][68] | |
| #032[69] | 21324 | 123 Sesame Street (123 Sesame Street) | November 1, 2020 | Ivan Guerrero (bulldoozer21)[70] | Link | Based on the Sesame Street children's television program.[71] | |
| #033[72][73] | 21325 | Medieval Blacksmith (Medieval Blacksmith) | February 1, 2021 | Clemens Fiedler (Namirob)[74] | Link | ||
| #034[75] | 21326 | Winnie the Pooh (Winnie the Pooh)[76] | April 1, 2021 | Ben Alder (benlouisa)[77] | Link | Based on the Winnie the Pooh franchise. | |
| #035[78][79] | 21327 | Typewriter (LEGO Typewriter)[80] | July 1, 2021 | Steve Guinness (Steve Guinness)[81] | Link | ||
| #036[78][79] | 21328 | Seinfeld (Seinfeld 30th Anniversary)[82] | August 1, 2021 | Brent Waller (BrentWaller)[83] | Link | Based on the TV series Seinfeld. Waller's second approved Ideas set. | |
| #037[13][84] | 21329[85] | Fender Stratocaster (Legendary Stratocaster) | October 1, 2021 |  Tomáš Letenay (TOMOELL) | Link | Winner of the Music to our Ears contest product idea review. | |
| #038[78][79] | 21330[86] | Home Alone (Home Alone. McCallister's House.)[87] | November 1, 2021 |  Alex Storozhuk (adwind)[88] | Link | Based on the Home Alone franchise. | |
| #039[89][90] | 21331[91][92] | Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone (Sonic Mania – Green Hill Zone)[93] | January 1, 2022 | Viv Grannell (toastergrl)[94] | Link | Project was based initially on the video game Sonic Mania and the final product was based on the first level from the first game, Sonic the Hedgehog.[93] Lego previously used this license for a character and level pack in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game.[95] | |
| #040[13][84] | 21332[96] | The Globe (Earth Globe)[97] | February 1, 2022 | Guillaume Roussel (Disneybrick55)[98] | Link | ||
| #041[89] | 21333 | (Vincent van Gogh: The Starry Night)[99][100] | May 28, 2022 (USA) May 30, 2022 (International) |  Truman Cheng (legotruman)[101] | Link | Based on The Starry Night painting. | |
| #042[102] | 21334[103] | Jazz Quartet (Jazz Quartet)[104][105] | July 1, 2022 |  Hsinwei Chi (LEGO7)[106] | Link | ||
| #043[107] | 21335 | (Motorized Lighthouse)[108][109] | September 1, 2022 | Sandro Quattrini (Roses Must Build)[110] | Link | ||
| #044[102] | 21336 | (The Office)[111] | October 1, 2022 | Jaijai Lewis (Lego The Office)[112] | Link | Based on the TV series The Office (American TV series). This was Lewis' third project based on The Office to reach the review stage before being approved.[113] | |
| #045 | 21337 | Table Football | November 1, 2022 | Donát Fehérvári (Constructions by Donat) | Link | Winner of the We Love Sports contest product idea review. | |
| #046[117] | 21338 | (A-Frame Cabin)[118] | February 1, 2023 |  Andrea Lattanzio (Norton74)[119] | Link | ||
| #047 | 21339 | (BTS "Dynamite")[120] | March 1, 2023 | Josh Bretz (JBBrickFanatic) Jacob (BangtanBricks)[121] | Link | Based on the South Korean boy band BTS and their music video for the song "Dynamite". | |
| #048 | 21340 | (Tales of the space age)[122] | May 5, 2023 |  Jan Woźnica (john_carter)[123] | Link | ||
| #049 | 21341 | (Hocus Pocus – The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage)[124] | July 4, 2023 |  Amber Veyt (TheAmbrinator)[125] | Link | Based on the 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus. The winning project's announcement came over two months before the release of the sequel Hocus Pocus 2. | |
| #050 | 21342 | The Insect Collection (LEGO Insects)[126][127] | September 4, 2023 | José María (hachiroku24)[128] | Link | ||
| #051 | 21343[129] | (Viking Village) | October 1, 2023 | Florian (BrickHammer)[130] | Link | Initially an Ideas project that did not pass review; the second project to win a fan vote partnered with Target Corporation against other rejected projects to become a set. | |
| #052 | 21344 | (The Orient Express, a Legendary Train)[131] | December 1, 2023 | Thomas Lajon (LEt'sGO)[132] | Link | Based on the Orient Express train. | |
| #053 | 21345 | (Polaroïd Onestep SX-70) | January 1, 2024 | Marc (Minibrick Productions)[133] | Link | Based on the Polaroïd Onestep SX-70 camera. | |
| #054 | 21346 | (Family Tree)[134] | February 1, 2024 | Ivan Guerrero (BulldozerBuilder)[135] | Link | Winner of the Target What Does Family Mean to You? contest product idea review. | |
| #055 | 21347 | (Red London Telephone Box)[136] | February 1, 2024 | John Cramp (Bricked1980)[137] | Link | ||
| #056 | 21348 | (Dragon's Keep: Journey's End) | March 19, 2024 | Lucas (BoltBuilds)[138] | Link | Based on the Dungeons & Dragons media franchise. Winner of a fan vote commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the franchise. | |
| #057 | (The Nightmare Before Christmas) | Simon Scott (Tvrulesmylife) | Link | Based on Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. | |||
| #058 | (Jaws) |  Jonny Campbell (Diving Bricks) | Link | Based on the Universal Pictures film Jaws. | |||
| #059 | (Cat) | Damian Andres (The Yellow Brick)[139] | Link | ||||
| #060 | (Twilight: Cullen House) | Nick Micheels (LobsterThermidor) | Link | Based on Summet Entertainment’s The Twilight Saga franchise. | |||
| #062 | (The Botanical Garden) | Valentina Bima (Goannas89) | Link |
Promotional sets
LEGO Ideas offers contests to fan designers on the crowdsourcing platform.
Prizes include LEGO sets or, in some cases, the possibility of transforming the first prize into an official LEGO set in the form of a GWP (Gift With Purchase).
Currently, 6 competitions have been awarded with such a prize.
Set based on an original idea
Set based on an existing intellectual property
| Set # | Set name (Project title) | Year of Release | Creator name (username) | Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40335 | Space Rocket Ride (Comic Rocket Ride!Coin operated) | 2019 | mjsmiley | Link | Winner of the LEGO Moments in Space contest product idea review. |
| 40448 | Vintage Car (Aedelsten Deluxe) | 2021 | Versteinert | Link | Winner of the Build a vintage car to cruise the streets of LEGO modular buildings! contest product idea review. |
| 40487 | Sailboat Adventure (Sailing Ship Aventure) | 2021 | yc_solo | Link | Winner of the Build that holiday into that holiday! contest product idea review. |
| 40533 | Cosmic Cardboard Adventures (The Adventures of the USS Cardboard) | 2022 | bulldoozer | Link | Winner of the Out of this world space builds! contest product idea review. |
| 40566 | Ray the castaway (Ray the Castaway) | 2022 | DadiTwins | Link | Winner of the Do you want to go to the seaside? contest product idea review. |
| 40595 | (Tribute to Galileo Galilei) | 2023 | Firecracker_ | Link | Winner of the Ready, Set, Go STEM! contest product idea review. |
Test Lab Challenge
In September 2022, LEGO Ideas opened an invite-only challenge to fan designers on the crowdsourcing platform for digitally designed sets with a limited palette.
In January 2023, 9 designs were selected with them set to be released for purchase on Lego.com throughout 2023.[140]
Set based on an original idea
Set based on an existing intellectual property
| Set # | Set name (Project title) | Release date | Creator name (username) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND | (Cyber Explorers) | 2023 | Beto_Builds | |
| ND | (Plant Your Garden) | 2023 | Mind The Brick | |
| ND | (Market Stall - Fit For Any City) | 2023 | Boom Brickz | |
| ND | (Double-Sided Billboard or Frame) | 2023 | MiniBricks74279 | |
| ND | (Wacky Fish) | 2023 | JBBrickFanatic | |
| ND | (Modular Motors) | 2023 | nasa105 | |
| ND | (Greenhouse Vignette) | 2023 | ThatOneGuy_Steve | |
| ND | (Christmas Sock) | Late 2023 | BrickStability | |
| ND | (Sugar Skull) | Late 2023 | yop1172 |
Awards and nominations
In September 2022, The Office (set number: 21336) was awarded "Toy of the Year" and also "Grown-Up Toy of the Year" by the Toy Association.[141]
References
External links
- Official website
- Lego Ideas Wiki, an unofficial encyclopedia about Lego Ideas