Lego Design Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Lego, Design, Architecture

About me

Hi! My name is Eric Dubois Y. and I have been a LEGO fan since I received my first lego sets at the age of 4, and building with LEGO bricks has quickly become one of my favorite activities. When I was 7, Jamie Berard’s video presenting the job of a LEGO designer (Life at LEGO: Fulfilling a lifelong dream) naturally inspired me to become one too when I grow up.

I eventually had the fortune to be an intern at Creator 3 in 1 for 2019 1st HY. It showed me how something seemingly out of reach at first might be closer than one thinks as long as you keep working and believing.

As a builder, I am constantly trying to push myself and I’m getting excited when I decide to make something that nobody has done before. Partly thanks to my architectural education, I’ve always been fascinated by discussions around the design process, since understanding the reasoning behind it not only explains the final object, but also gives you an idea of the creator’s personality, knowledge, and skill.

As a person, I would describe myself as passionate, perfectionnist and witty. Once I decide to work on a project, I am endeavouring the best possible outcome, as shown by this portfolio.

LEGO aside, my biggest passion is the piano since I play, compose and improvise classical and j-pop music with friends. I’m also a big competitor, which is why I enjoy doing various sports such as badminton, basketball or baseball.

Hopefully you’ll enjoy this portfolio as much as I did making it!

Communicating and Visualizing ideas

Ximen Howl’s moving Castle Boxes of thoughts

Ximen

Inspirations, sketches

Context

The west gate of Taipei (Ximen) was the only one of the 5 ancient Taipei gates that has been erased by the Japanese during the colonial era.

Today on the site we find an artistic installation that deconstructs the original gate’s silhouette and a commemorative stone nearby.

Concept

I wanted to create a model that not only represents the gate but also evokes the history behind this heritage no longer exists. Inspired by the art installation’s concept, the back of my model decomposes gradually while the artistic installation protrudes from the back like the structure of a gate.

Contrast with Color and Texture

To contrast the past and the present (fig. 1), the 2 sides use opposite color palettes and textures. (fig. 2)

Using yellowed bricks also allowed me to have more shades of grey to make the stonework more organic (fig. 3).

Message

The disappearance of the heritage through time and the original gate’s spirit lives on in a different form.

The symbolism of the gate and time also creates the effect of a time tunnel, reinforced by a black reflective base and a realigned memorial stone used to contrast. Furthermore symbolizing a present that reminisces about the past.

Past Present

fig.1: Side sketch

fig.2: Creating contrast

fig.3: Use of yellowed bricks

fig.4: End product side

Howl’s Moving Castle References to Model

Finding and using references

I used Jason Alleman’s AT-TE as reference and removed 2 legs. (fig.1)

The next step was mounting the big battery box as low as possible, and wrapping “a skin” that hides the inside’s mechanism. (fig.2)

I closely followed a resin model reference (fig.3) while taking some freedom of interpretation. (fig. 4)

fig.1: Jason Allemann’s mechanism

fg.3: Licensed plaster model side reference

fig.2: Internal chassis structure fig.4: Final side view

Boxes of Thoughts Concepts Models

Located on the outskirt of Detroit, the Packard plant is an abandoned car factory in which we need to repurpose into a library

Inspired by the history of industrial production lines and the geometry of the remaining structure, we based the concept around containers slotted into the existing structure, braced by an exoskeleton.

Exhibition mode

Models

Since the project features 2 switchable configurations, different scaled models were made to present different aspects of the project.

The concept model uses a metaphor of a rock protected by an invisible cube to describe the essence of the project. The organigram and volume model explains the transformation.

Library mode

Design to inspire Kids

Internship at LEGO Alternative models Furnitures

Role

As a member of the ceator 3 in 1 team during 1st HY 2019, I worked on various models during my internship. In this team I was mainly assigned different types of models that contributed to the team over the course of the product’s development.

What I learned

To me a good toy aims at inspiring hours of play, brings kids a smile and lots of good memories, and ideally still has an impact when you are an adult.

A good-looking model and an enjoyable building experience are equally as important . Not to forget it should minimize the risk of frustration for the targeted audience during the building process.

Bricklist of models I’ve designed : https://brickset.com/sets/designer-Eric-Dubois-Y

Structural braces and use of similar triangle geometry

Symmetric sub-builds to make it easier

Big bricks placed in core to speed up build

Hidden flat base for buildability

Parts were color changed to not be confused with others

Alternative models

Alternative models for Brixtar, a Rebrickable-esque app startup that aims at encouraging kids rebuilding their own sets.

Green models parts’ are from the Brixbox, a product devloped by Brixtar. Yellow models’ parts are from set 3107.

Furnitures

Applying techniques I learned on Flickr from other talented builders. The furniture were themed by color and style, depending on the effect I wanted to create in that area.

Adaptability and Accountability

B&W and Fiverr Commissions

Back to 1919 competition (2021)

OK

Back to 1919 competition

Time Management

“Back to 1919” is a foundation that dedicates itself to raising awareness of taiwanese architectural cultural heritage. After winning 2nd with Ximen in 2021, I set myself the challenge of completing 3 entries in 2.5 months. (fig.1)

A: Lukang Meuseum of Folk Culture

A-Total control

The A entry was designed in 2 weeks.

To lower the budget, all hidden parts were colored in violet in Studio (fig.2). I then followed the workflow to fetch all the parts to place the bricklink orders (fig.3). It is faster to design and build once all the parts arrive, but for slow preparation and Bricklink shipping time (fig.1)

Fig.4:

B and C-Improvisation

Those 2 entries were designed during the shipment of parts.

I started by designing in the studio the key parts to decide the scale and the elements that are needed to order them online with entry A. (fig.4,5)

Then I proceed to build according to the inventory or PaB. Finishing touches were added alternatively to have more thinking time.