Interview – The Brick Post!

MOC Designer Interview with Stormythos!

Greg — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 09:40:51 +0000

This week’s MOC Designer Interview focuses on the BrickHeadz theme, and all the possibilities that come with them. LEGO has recently revived this creative line of sets and, love them or leave them, they’re here to stay – Even more so with today’s guest, Stormythos, he designs and builds his very own custom Brickheadz. With over 200 in his collection and growing he cant get enough of them!

Please follow, support and check out Stormythos on Instagram, also visit his website where you can purchase instructions for all his custom BrickHeadz. Oh and he has kindly offered a discount code for you to use, valid until the end of the month!

Instagram: Stormythos
Website: https://payhip.com/stormythos

Hi all – Stormythos here! I’m an AFOL living in Australia and I’m a massive fan of the LEGO BrickHeadz line. I have an Instagram account (@stormythos) where I share all my BrickHeadz MOCs!

When and how did you get into LEGO?

Like most fans, my first exposure to LEGO was as a child but, at that age, it was only treated as just another toy. I didn’t really build my own models – only building and playing with the sets as they were designed. Some themes I remember playing with a lot were Bionicle, Knights’ Kingdom, Star Wars and Spider-Man (sets based on the Sam Raimi-directed films).

As I grew older, my interest in LEGO dwindled… Most AFOLs refer to this as their ‘Dark Ages’

When did you start making custom BrickHeadz?

Fast forward to having completed my tertiary studies and my interest had reignited! Around early-to-mid 2018, I started getting back into LEGO and discovered the BrickHeadz theme. Having never really made a proper ‘MOC’ before, I just couldn’t resist making my own custom BrickHeadz! My first build was a BrickHeadz of the Marvel Comics character Thanos in his classic comic-book appearance. I had purchased the official Thanos BrickHeadz (set 41605) and felt that the printed element used for the iconic Infinity Gauntlet was lacking, so I really wanted to include a brick-built alternative in my version.

Thanos

At the beginning of July 2018, I decided to start an Instagram account @stormythos (https://www.instagram.com/stormythos/) so I could have a platform to ‘showcase’ all of my current and future BrickHeadz MOCs. I didn’t have any expectations whatsoever, but the reception was so overwhelmingly positive! I am so thankful to be able to share my creations with so many others and engage with LEGO fans from around the world. The LEGO fan community on Instagram is amazing and I’ve made so many awesome friends on there – shoutout to my BrickHeadz buddies!

200+ BrickHeadz MOCs later and my passion for BrickHeadz only continues to grow!

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I typically draw my inspiration from whatever media is of interest to me at the time, such as movies, TV shows, comic-books or video-games. I also like to ask my followers on Instagram for build suggestions as that’s a fun way to engage with everyone.

After you get an initial idea, what happens next?

The first thing I do when beginning to build a BrickHeadz is look for reference images. Whether I’m building a known character or an animal, whatever it is, I grab reference images first! This allows me to clearly see what colours I should use, what important details and shapes I need to include, and generally ensures my build is as accurate as possible.

Are there any techniques in particular that you really like implementing?

I love using SNOT techniques! Official BrickHeadz sets generally use printed elements for certain details, whereas custom BrickHeadz rely on brick-built details. Being able to utilise SNOT building can really allow you to pack in a lot of detail, especially at such a small scale.

My favourite SNOT technique has got to be using ‘Tile, Round 1 x 1 with Bar and Pin Holder’ (ID 20482) and ‘Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Open O Clip Vertical Thick’ (ID 4085d). It’s such a compact method to invert stud direction!

SNOT

How long does it take from initial idea to finished product?

Build time can vary a lot, depending on complexity and level of detail. I rarely finish a BrickHeadz in a single session as I like to take a break and revisit the model, as it usually allows me to notice something I may have overlooked or approach something in a new way.

What would be your dream BrickHeadz to create?

Not really a ‘dream BrickHeadz’, but a dream would be to officially work on the BrickHeadz line at The LEGO Group! Marcos Bessa, Senior Designer and BrickHeadz Design Lead, is a huge inspiration. I know the process would be very different to building a BrickHeadz MOC, but I love the prospect of working on the official line and approaching it from a product design point of view. I’m very glad that the BrickHeadz line is continuing in 2020!

What are you currently working on?

Always working on new BrickHeadz! My most recent creation is a BrickHeadz of Captain Redbeard from the classic LEGO Pirates theme. I recently asked my followers for build suggestions and this idea grabbed my attention considering the recent release of ‘Pirates of Barracuda Bay’ (set 21322 from LEGO Ideas). I’ve also recently finished working on a series of BrickHeadz based on heroes & villains from DC Comics.

Redbeard

Heroes & Villians

What advice would you give to beginner BrickHeadz/MOC builders?

For anyone wanting to get into building their own BrickHeadz, I would suggest starting with understanding how a BrickHeadz is typically constructed and use that as a ‘base’. The instructions for set 41597 (ins tructions found here) are a great introduction to building BrickHeadz! Additionally, all the instructions for official BrickHeadz sets can be found online.

Apart from making BrickHeadz what other aspects of LEGO do you like, sets, minifigures etc?

One thing I love about LEGO is how many niches there are! Everyone has their favourite thing to build and it’s so awesome to see that variation in the LEGO community.

I also enjoy the LEGO video-games a lot! I often play them along with my younger brother so that’s heaps of fun for the both of us.

Thanks to Greg from The Brick Post for reaching out to me and wanting to feature me in a MOC Designer Interview! You can check out all my BrickHeadz MOCs on my Instagram page @stormythos (https://www.instagram.com/stormythos/).

I also have some instructions available (both for free or for purchase) via my online store (https://payhip.com/stormythos) – you can use the coupon code THEBRICKPOST during checkout for a discount on any paid instructions (applicable until the end of the month).

AT-ST

Heroes & Villians

Jar-Jar Binks

Pennywise

Redbeard

Horror

SNOT

Sonic The Hedgehog

Thanos

Thank you Stormythos for your time and having a chat with us, it truly is appreciated. We wish you all the best, and look forward to seeing your next project!

Please join us next week for another MOC Designer Interview. We hope you enjoy reading about these amazing LEGO builders and what inspires them, we sure do!

Thank you.

MOC Designer Interview with ChrisBricked.TV!

Greg — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:59:46 +0000

As part of a new feature and to bring more MOC builders into the spotlight, when sharing our MOCs weekly we’ll grab, where possible, a few words from the creator.

This week we’d like to introduce Chrisbricked.TV from Instagram. He was our very first feature back when we started and we’ve followed him and his amazing creations ever since!

Focusing on building City, Modulars, Trains, and Vehicles, Chrisbricked.TV currently has over 100 completed projects and there is no sign of stopping. He has recently started producing commissions for AFOLs to grow and include in their own Cities!

Please follow, support and check out Chrisbricked.TV on Instagram, also visit his website where you can purchase the instructions for all his MOCs. Oh and he currently has 50% off!

Instagram: Chrisbricked.TV

Thank you for taking this time to chat with us. Let me start by asking when and how did you get into LEGO?

I studied engineering for some time and also became fascinated with architecture. Of course as a kid, I had LEGO, but it wasn’t until my late friend Jim showed me about Digital LEGO Building. I was hooked right after!

When did you start making MOCs?

I’m fairly new, I only started in October of 2019. Of course I’ve been using programs for years, but I didn’t start posting them for people to see until recently.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Real life! All my builds are built based off of pictures or actual buildings I see in my everyday life.

After you get an initial idea, what happens next?

The test build. Every MOC I Create is built into a rough draft. After, I rebuild it using more of a organized structure and use pieces in colors LEGO has available. I also make the instructions too. It’s a long process but I can say I enjoy it.

Are there any techniques in particular that you really like implementing?

SMOOTH! When you look outside you don’t see little round circles sticking out of the ground :). I prefer to smooth all of my MOCs out to make them look realistic (it’s safe to say 90% of the time).

How long does it take from initial idea to finished product?

1 day – to 4 months. Sometimes I just want to take a day off, and sometimes, I’d like to build all day!

What would be your dream MOC to create?

A full size Airport! But I’m afraid my brain would be fried by the time I’m done

What are you currently working on?

Commissions that my followers have ordered me to build for them. Right now, a House, Studio, and City Layout are being designed!

What advice would you give to beginner MOC builders?

Don’t copy people – seek inspiration, but build your own stuff. If something’s done too many times it gets old.

Apart from making MOCs what other aspects of LEGO do you like, sets, minifigures etc?

I love City and Modular, I’m not necessarily a collector so Star Wars and stuff doesn’t excite me. I just like the pieces to build my own stuff.

What is your favourite LEGO set?

Can I even legally answer that? I love sets with lots of colors so the Assembly Square is up there, but on a personal level, the Yellow Beach House by Creator. It was the first set someone bought for me and I didn’t break it because it was a gift

That’s all great! Many thanks for taking the time to answer some questions and talk to us, we wish you all the best with your future projects!

Don’t forget to follow and support Chrisbricked.TV