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How to become a LEGO model designer?

(Written by Chi-bacca)

Recently I contacted the LEGO Group by email to find out what it takes to become a LEGO designer and what are the required qualifications. I asked them due to the fact that I will soon have to decide which direction to go with my education and I would really like to work for LEGO. I figured I’m not the only one with this question, so I thought to share with you their reply that I received in only a couple of days after my initial inquiry. ๐Ÿ™‚

LEGO Jobs - Becoming a LEGO Designer

Dear Robert (my real name),

Thanks for getting in touch with us.

Being a LEGO Model Designer is a lot of fun: you get to work all over the place and meet new people. One day you might be building a huge castle at LEGOLANDยฎ and the next you could be building hundreds of tiny fish to swim in the moat. Can you imagine a better job?

LEGO Model Designers usually go to college and study 3D Arts. Some have also studied architecture, industrial design, theatre design, carpentry and even sculpting.

If you’re interested in becoming a designer the best thing to do is play with LEGO sets as much as you can. Try making something as realistic as possible: when we meet people who want to become designers, we often ask them to build a small head out of LEGO bricks in four hours. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Once youโ€™ve been realistic, try combining unlikely combinations โ€“ a flying car, a bouncing house… become comfortable thinking the idea through โ€“ the good bits, the bad bits and how you make something better. Try to make your ideas into a piece of music, a story, a movie, a picture.

The more things you try to master, the richer the ideas. Mathematics is good for engineering (how things work), English is good for explaining why your idea is important, business skills are good for working out if your idea will help you retire as a rich millionaire or not… Pretty much every class can help you think of ideas.

When youโ€™re ready and feel prepared, you can check out what jobs we currently offer at jobs.LEGO.com.

Thanks again for getting in touch. We’re always pleased to receive feedback from LEGO fans! Please let us know if you need anything else.

Happy building!

Claudia
LEGO Customer Service

Nice response, isn’t it? LEGO really got awesome customer service! As far as what is required to become a LEGO designer, it looks like you just need to be an experienced LEGO builder. So that’s what I’m going to do; practice building! And if you would like to become a LEGO model designer too, I encourage you to do the same. ๐Ÿ˜€

LEGO Jobs Website

For more specific information and to check out currently available positions at the LEGO Group, here are some links that you may find useful: Main LEGO Jobs Site, Currently Available Jobs at LEGO, How to Apply for a Job at LEGO, FAQ About LEGO Job Applications.

LEGO Job Application Process

One way to perfect your skills is to give yourself LEGO building challenges similar to the ones I have been sharing with you in my own MOC Challenge Series (links at the end of this post, and more coming). You can also participate in LEGO contests at various LEGO events run by LEGO itself or by LEGO fan-sites. As Claudia mentioned above they give candidates a LEGO building challenge with a time limit, so getting some practice ahead of time is a good idea. (Check out the awesome LEGO designer office below!)

LEGO Designer Office

Who knows, if we all follow these words of advice we may meet up in the LEGO office designing a LEGO Star Wars Starfighter or a LEGO Modular Building together! What do you think? Have you considered becoming a LEGO designer? What steps are you taking to achieve your goal? Have you given yourself tasks and challenges to improve your LEGO building skills? Feel free to share in the comment section below! Would love to hear from others who are planning to become a LEGO designers! ๐Ÿ˜‰

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

{ 100 comments… add one }
  • D.B. Bricks September 17, 2013, 10:09 AM

    I want to become a set designer!

  • Hรฅkan September 17, 2013, 10:50 AM

    Pretty nice. Has there been any official interviews from model designers about how they got hired?

    Maybe the experience is partly considered a company secret, though.

    • admin September 17, 2013, 12:46 PM

      Hakan, there are a couple of articles I wrote before about how a LEGO model builder was choosen in Atlanta. But that was for LEGO Discovery Center, which is a bit different. As far as I know LEGO is quite open about their hiring process. If you guys want I can interview some current and former LEGO designers. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      • Hรฅkan September 17, 2013, 1:03 PM

        It could be interesting if you find the time. Thanks.

        • admin September 17, 2013, 9:12 PM

          All right, I will put it on my hopelessly long list of posts to write. But seriously, I do have some contacts I think would be interesting to interview. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Meneldur son of Garamar September 17, 2013, 10:58 AM

    I have had this in mind for a while. However lately I have been interested in going into digital cinema. Hmm, deciding what you want to do with your life is difficult sometimes. Good post, Chi-bacca. Keep up the good work! ๐Ÿ™‚ BTW, today I should be getting an airsoft gun I ordered. Also, I just completed an MOC of a town affected by the zombie apocalypse. It was really fun to build.

    • admin September 17, 2013, 12:47 PM

      Zombies! I really like apocalypse LEGO MOCs! ๐Ÿ˜ˆ

    • Chi-bacca September 17, 2013, 2:39 PM

      Thanks ๐Ÿ˜€
      Zombie apocalypse sounds cool but your almost a year late ๐Ÿ˜‰
      Share perhaps?

  • Dominick September 17, 2013, 11:12 AM

    i asked them the same thing 2 months ago and i got the same response ๐Ÿ™‚

    • admin September 17, 2013, 12:48 PM

      Yeah, I’m sure a lot of people ask the question! ๐Ÿ˜€

    • Chi-bacca September 17, 2013, 2:28 PM

      Ahh great minds think alike ๐Ÿ˜€

  • Fikko3107 September 17, 2013, 12:04 PM

    Good customer service? Excuse my ranting, but I find it pretty sloppy. I’ve e-mailed them asking about some things and they’re still not replying! Maybe it’s just me though.

    I’m not sure LEGO will have a suitable job for me. I’m already 14, so I kind of already have to decide where my life should go. So, I have decided on…(Drumroll) Literature. Not a major that screams out “LEGO!” But hey, I might be the next Greg Farshtey…

    And as an addition to your building challenges…My challenges are quite fun too. You practically take any set, take it apart and make something that you can connect with using only it’s parts. It’s fun because you really have a limit that forces you to think more creatively and out of the box.

    And wow…You sure write fast don’t you Chi-Bacca? But still no Contributor’s page yet…Never mind that, I’m sure it’s well on it’s way provided it wasn’t as long as mine. There was a time I can write an article a day if I really try, but these days I’m really busy in weekdays my time is really on weekends…But yeah, I owe a few articles. The one about my polybag haul and LEGO BYW part 3, for example…

    • admin September 17, 2013, 12:49 PM

      Chi-bacca actually got two more posts that I haven’t put up yet. He is writing fast, so I’m just trying to space them out. As far as his Contributor’s Page, it is my fault that it is not up yet. I have been really busy with work. But I will get to it as soon as I can. ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Chi-bacca September 17, 2013, 2:38 PM

        It’s fine, I’m waiting for my birthday to come so I don’t really care too much ๐Ÿ˜‰ 18 days!!!! Speaking of which I’ve been nominated for an award that may win me ยฃ100!!! And the ceremony’s on my birthday! ๐Ÿ˜€
        I’m saving up anyway but ยฃ40 from grandparents (if they remember) the money I manage to save up by then-approx ยฃ25 and potentially ยฃ100 = almost tower of orthanc………or something like the battle at the black gate and weathertop or helms deep ๐Ÿ˜€
        Can’t wait!!!!!!

        • Meneldur son of Garamar September 18, 2013, 8:39 AM

          Whoa! You’re an LOTR fan?! That’s great! Same here! I’m a massive LOTR enthusiast. ๐Ÿ™‚ You should definitely save up for the Tower of Orthanc. I don’t have it yet, but hopefully sometime in the near future. I have the entire first wave of LOTR and all of them are great sets. But I’d still have to say Orthanc is the best of them all. Have fun building! ๐Ÿ˜‰

          • Chi-bacca September 18, 2013, 10:36 AM

            Well LOTR is epic ๐Ÿ˜‰
            The only way ill save for the tower is if I win that 100 as I just can’t save up too long LOL ๐Ÿ˜€

    • Chi-bacca September 17, 2013, 2:34 PM

      Well I have had experiences but it worked out alright in the end ๐Ÿ™‚
      I ordered the cosmic cube set whilst my mum ordered captain Americas bike (I didn’t know what it was as it was a present) and the order took forever. In the end I ended up with 2 cosmic cubes 2 captain America bikes (they had to resend the order) and some Minifigs and a captain America constraction figure as well as ยฃ20 voucher. I then used that to buy deadpools helicopter and that also messed up so I got three but returned one ๐Ÿ˜€
      That’s a lot of free LEGO from me spending ยฃ20!!!!
      Building challenges are always fun and come up with some weird things I may take apart one of my cosmic cube sets and use the pieces like your challenge!
      Yes I do write fast! Well on a computer you can actually read it but by hand…….not so much ๐Ÿ˜€

    • HP September 18, 2013, 8:05 AM

      LEGO BYW part 3, need help with that? I can help you with that! I don’t know why i’m so excited for this post (THIS NEEDS TO BE GRAND FIKKO! Maybe i just miss Malaysia.

      P.S. seriously Fikko, forget the polybag haul and start doin the BYW, you know i’m waiting. And it better be good. LOL just kidding, take your time. Masterpieces don’t just come out of thin air ๐Ÿ™‚

  • ninja of stealth September 17, 2013, 12:28 PM

    I’ve always wanted to become a LEGO designer, but i’m pretty far off from getting a job like that! I’m not even in high school yet!!!! it smells ๐Ÿ™

    • Butter Ninja FTW September 17, 2013, 7:33 PM

      U can still prepare for when your older. Actually, you’ve been practicing ever since you got your first Lego set. I hope…

      • ninja of stealth September 18, 2013, 12:08 PM

        well yeah! I’ve had LEGO since I can remember! and I had Duplo! good times ๐Ÿ™‚

  • legostuff71 September 17, 2013, 12:51 PM

    I love to be a LEGO designer, but ,I am still just enjoying the sets that LEGO comes out with. However, I do have a lot of ideas to build sets. I run into two problems. 1. I don’t have enough LEGO pieces to create my ideas and 2. Don’t have the space.

    • Chi-bacca September 17, 2013, 2:27 PM

      Sorry I’m a bit later but I went round my friends ๐Ÿ˜€
      LEGO has made some excellent sets over the years so much so that I keep many intact! And space……… Yup that’s a problem with anyone and anything! ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Hรฅkan September 17, 2013, 3:32 PM

        Oh, god, the space…

        I’m more into Classic Space…

        (Apparently an old con joke…)

  • CD's Lego Blog September 17, 2013, 5:56 PM

    I have been thinking about becoming a Lego designer for a long time now. About a year ago I contacted them and asked the same thing. I got a great Lego book called The Unofficial Builder’s Guide which gives you plenty of awesome building tricks that even the best AFOLs use! They should have a university class just for people who want to be Lego designers called “The Lego Designers 101” ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Chi-bacca September 18, 2013, 2:25 AM

      LOL that class would be awesome ๐Ÿ˜€
      So that book any good? I’ve got the LEGO book and the 30 years of minifigures in a bundle and I thought bout getting that one.

  • Butter Ninja FTW September 17, 2013, 7:29 PM

    I either want to do this, or be a video game designer. I dont know which. I haven’t realy built many “big” mocs, because I cant find the right pieces to build what I want. But I think my best MOC is a model of a Tripod from War of the Worlds.
    ๐Ÿ˜€ :mrgreen: ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Haven’t used smilies in a long time ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Chi-bacca September 18, 2013, 2:26 AM

      How bout a LEGO video game designer ๐Ÿ˜€

      • Dylan Fleet January 27, 2016, 7:44 PM

        look on the job site, they have listings for that open right now

  • Shade Snake September 17, 2013, 10:20 PM

    Is there any way to become a video/vfx artist? I am a video maker and want to have some contract with lego

    • admin September 18, 2013, 9:06 AM

      What I have seen is that you just thave to continue making awesome videos to have LEGO notice you. The BrotherhoodWorkshop will have their next three videos sponsored by LEGO, but that took them several years of hard work; regularly churning out great content.

  • benny September 18, 2013, 2:17 AM

    hey nice one chi-bacca. sorry I haven’t been commenting or posting I haven’t had the time but im back. ๐Ÿ˜› what country do u have to be from to be LEGO designer

    • Chi-bacca September 18, 2013, 2:27 AM

      Any ๐Ÿ˜€
      But I think you have to go to Denmark to work though which is fine by me ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Fikko3107 September 18, 2013, 5:42 AM

        No specific country, yes, but I haven’t seen any designers who hailed from Asia, Africa, South America or the land down under yet, though. And yes, you have to move to Denmark. That’s supposed to be the catch.

        • HP September 18, 2013, 8:09 AM

          We could always apply for Master Model Builders in Malaysia, now can’t we Fikko? Remember Stefan’s story? he used to be fom a call center, but he heard an ad and boom, after 10 years, he’s one of the senior master model builders.

          If we dont make it to Malaysia, there’s always the upcoming LEGOLANDs in Korea and Dubai ๐Ÿ™‚

        • admin September 18, 2013, 9:08 AM

          There are some Asian LEGO designers, although I’m not sure where they are from originally. They could be Amarican or European Asians.

          • Fikko3107 September 19, 2013, 1:22 AM

            I had originally thought Lami was from Asia, but his bio says he’s from Europe…

            Good point though HP. Stefan was formerly a Master Model Builder in Germany, remember? I didn’t recall anything about call centers…

            • HP September 19, 2013, 7:52 AM

              i personally asked him that while we were walking through the park, i though you overheard our conversation because you were right beside me :).

  • Purple ninja girl o Power (Lloyd's girl) September 18, 2013, 4:28 PM

    WOW so cool I will want to join so badly but my parents would be “no get a more stable job”

    • Chi-bacca September 18, 2013, 4:35 PM

      Complete opposite with mine ๐Ÿ˜€

    • admin September 18, 2013, 5:03 PM

      Some LEGO designers have been with the company for over 20-30 years! There is nothing unstable about it. Buut of course listen to your parents too. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Sasha November 20, 2013, 2:35 PM

    Hi my name is Sasha I am 9 and my dream job is a LEGO designer. Thanks so much for the feed back because I want to be just like you when I am older speaking of witch I’d better get working on that head

    • admin November 21, 2013, 4:07 PM

      Sasha, yes, the best way to prepare for your dream job is to just keep practicing! ๐Ÿ˜€

  • Sasha November 22, 2013, 1:08 PM

    thanks for the positive energy I hope your right

  • Adam jensen January 29, 2014, 2:36 PM

    Hi, my name is Adam Jensen. I am a creative guy with artistic talents with jack of all trades type skills. After reviewing 23 years of my life, iv realized my life has been alot about creativity and designing.

    Is there a way an HS. Diploma achiver and dreamer to become not only a designer, but a part of Lego entirely and help achieve dreams of creating, designing and improving?

    Adam
    Canada

    • admin January 29, 2014, 3:02 PM

      Adam, you may consider checking out this page: http://jobs.lego.com/en-us/?domainredir=www.jobs.lego.com It is updated regularly with all the jobs available at LEGO. If you find a position that you like, you might consider applying. Please note that for most creative jobs at LEGO they are not looking for particular degrees, but they will put you thru a vigorous process of testing your cretive and building skills, and if you make it thru, they will offer you the position. Good luck! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • William Webb March 23, 2014, 9:45 PM

    I was a model designer for 8 years.
    I studied architecture.

    Whatever you decide to study, be sure to learn real well, and always have a plan B for a career after LEGO.

    • admin March 24, 2014, 3:09 PM

      William, good suggestion! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • James Amey August 7, 2014, 11:14 AM

    I’ve always loved playing with lego, since my first lego set, which was a lego city digger! since then, I’ve collected star wars, bionicle, dc universe super heroes, city, ninjago, cars and others which I can’t remember. is there anyway to be a lego designer in the uk? if so, let me know ASAP.

    • admin August 7, 2014, 11:35 AM

      James, you do need to move to Billund if you want to be a LEGO designer. However there are also other positions you may consider, like Master Builder at one of the LEGO stores, working at LEGOLAND parks, LEGO retail locations, etc. There are 29 job openings at the UK right now. None of them are designer related, but you can consider the currently available positions and then start moving around within the company. You can find all job openings by location here: https://www.lego.com/en-us/careers/search-jobs/

  • cody September 14, 2014, 11:27 AM

    Hey lego im a really huge lego fan iv been on the facebook of lego site with a picture taken of me and my lego house taken by the supplier of lego in my country I am 14 years old i was wondering what places are in lego and what requirements are there so that i can work up to It please let me know by email if u have the time.t
    Thankyou so much!!! iloveittothelimit@gmail.com

    • admin September 14, 2014, 10:06 PM

      Cody, there is no specific school or education that is required to be a LEGO designer. Related experience is helpful, but the most important thing is to be an excellent LEGO builder. I would suggest that you go to your local LEGO store to meet LEGO designers, hang out with them, ask questions, etc.

  • haley October 8, 2014, 3:26 PM

    this was really helpful for a school project.

  • Commander jags February 11, 2015, 3:15 PM

    This is going to help me sooooooooo much! Thank you for posting this, and good luck!

  • Anita February 21, 2015, 10:59 PM

    I want to become a lego designer at legoland!! I want to build a huge castle.. Thank you so much for posting this, it’s very helpful

  • josh legg May 12, 2015, 10:12 AM

    I want to design a super hero set when I grow up.

    • admin May 12, 2015, 11:32 AM

      Looking forward to it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Dylan January 8, 2016, 7:36 PM

    My dream job is to be a lego designer. I enjoy reading about lego designs, and I’m really excited and looking forward to this job.

  • Tom Lardinois January 14, 2016, 11:48 AM

    I am a high school student and I hope that one day I will become a Lego designer. But I need some more information about the job. Do you have to live in Denmark to be a Lego designer? If so, I should probably learn Danish, right? Are there other locations that I can apply for a design job? I don’t want to move across an ocean if I don’t have to.

    • admin January 14, 2016, 11:57 AM

      Tom, if you want to be a LEGO designer working on official LEGO sets, you will need to move to Denmark, as that is the only place right now where LEGO sets are designed. You do not have to learn Danish however. Danish people speak English and at LEGO’s offices the main language is English.

      There are other design opportunities as well. All LEGOLAND Parks employ LEGO designers, and especially the one in Florida just opened up a new design shop that designs and builds the large LEGO sculptures and other decorations for LEGOLAND Parks and events.

      • Tom Lardinois January 16, 2016, 3:39 PM

        Thank you, very much. Your comment was very helpful. I think I’ll still continue toward my original goal of being a set designer though. I like working with the small scale creations which I feel isn’t seen quite as much as the enormous statues at Legoland Parks. Once again, thank you for the information.
        I do have another question though, Would you know how long the application process takes?

        • admin January 16, 2016, 6:05 PM

          Tom, the application process is in different stages, and it also depends on your background. For example if you get a degree and experience in a related field, or if you have been posting your awesome LEGO models online and you are well known in the community already, some of the steps may get accelerated. I know at least one person who was accepted as a LEGO designer right out of high-school, but he already had a tremendous following online. If you meet some of the earlier criteria of the application process at some point you get invited to Denmark, where you will also go through various building challenges with other applicants. It is a friendly but also competitive process.

          Applying for a creative job like becoming a LEGO designer is not as dry and systematic as a regular job would be. I really recommend that you start designing and building now, and posting your work on flickr. This is the place where the most creative LEGO fans share their work, and there are also several LEGO designers who hang out and post their projects. If any of your models get picked up by the Brothers-Brick, you are already well in the game and LEGO will start paying attention. It is really your portfolio that they are looking at, and your interpersonal skills to be able to work in a team.

  • Tom Lardinois January 17, 2016, 7:28 PM

    Thanks for the advice! I’ll be sure to get a flickr account and start posting some pictures of my creations. I’ve uploaded some of my projects to Lego Ideas but the more opportunities to get my stuff out there, the better!
    I don’t expect to be hired right out of high school, but I do plan on taking structural engineering, art and design courses in college. Hopefully that and experience in civil engineering will boost my image.
    I’m not too concerned about experience, I’ve been building Legos my entire life. But for the past year or so I’ve been perfecting my skills and I’m hoping that one day my work will pay off.
    Thanks again for the helpful information. It is greatly appreciated!

    • admin January 17, 2016, 8:25 PM

      Tom, wishing you the best with your endeavors! Just by chance I run across this video today about the process of becoming a LEGO designer, and I thought of you. I think you will like it: http://youtu.be/uTgWnY_ZM3c ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Tom Lardinois January 18, 2016, 10:55 AM

        Indeed, I did like it! I’ll have to try doing timed challenges to practice my speed and efficiency. Once again, thank you!

      • Tom October 13, 2016, 3:31 PM

        Hello, I’m back. I’ve been looking at different colleges in my area and pondering over my major and a question has arisen. Do you personally consider a Lego designer an artist or an engineer? Which course would be more beneficial: 3D Art Design or General Engineering?

        • admin October 13, 2016, 3:43 PM

          Hm… that’s a good question. I have heard of LEGO designers coming from a wide variety of fields, including design and engineering.

          I would say that maybe with 3D Art Design you would have more possibilities open both in set design, as well as LEGO video-games and other digital media. With engineering you would probably get into designing LEGO Technic sets or Star Wars, or other big sets with mechanical elements. But again, there is quite a bit of overlap, and LEGO designers have come from all kinds of backgrounds.

          Maybe see which one gives you better opportunities in general, so you are not limiting yourself just to working for LEGO. Also, you can check the LEGO job listings, and see if the positions you might be interested in would have a specific criteria. I don’t think they do, but they are regularly updated.

          • Tom October 13, 2016, 4:01 PM

            You’ve been a better source of information than most of the sites I’ve searched! Thank you so much! I may be back with another question in my future… we’ll see how clueless I can get!

            • admin October 13, 2016, 4:05 PM

              Tom, you are very welcome. Would love to see you make it all the way to working your dream job! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • kate March 4, 2016, 10:17 PM

    I’ve been coming back and forth to this as a job for a few years and i haven’t totally made up my mind yet but its inching its way toward ‘yes, i want this job!’
    I’m not a big math or artsy brain but maybe the architecture thing would work. Do you really need a degree to get called in for an interview at LEGO or does it just give you a leg up over everyone else?

    • admin March 5, 2016, 9:30 AM

      Kate, a degree is not necessary, but it can help LEGO to understand what you might be capable of. I know a number of people who became LEGO designers right out of high-school or with no degrees. LEGO runs all designer applicants through a series of tests both in building skills and interpersonal skills. That’s what really determines who will be hired. Keep in mind that you will have to move to Billund, Denmark, if you want to work as a LEGO designer. There are other opportunities however in the USA too. For example LEGOLAND Parks have a model team. These designers work on large sculptures that are displayed in the parks. The one in Florida is newly opened and they may still be hiring. Also, LEGO Discovery Centers hire designers. This position requires to be good with children and also be great at building. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Nathan March 7, 2016, 11:00 PM

    I want to be a lego designer! I may only be ten but I play with legos all the time what classes should I take?

    • admin March 8, 2016, 8:17 PM

      Nathan, just keep building and perfecting your skills. You don’t need to take any specific class to become a LEGO designer. But things like design, engineering, and photography can help to hone your skills and to present your creations in the best possible way. Also, it is a good idea to participate in various LEGO contests to challenge yourself and to learn to build better and faster. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • won hyuk son May 5, 2016, 11:28 AM

    It’s unbelievable! FANTASTIC !
    haha
    I have some questions. then they just require English ability and sketch ability and building legobricks and creative imagination???
    Actually I met real Lego designer at Lego building convention,So I asked some questions, he gave some tip. First ENGLISH! 2.ENG 3.ENG .haha So I practicing every day English and other things….but It’s very difficult. Can I do this? they require genius….(how much they require sketch ability ? )
    AH, I’m 17 years old and I’m from sth Korea. I’m young but I really want to be a Lego designer. So can you give some practical tips or way for me? and answer the questions please.:) ps. In Korea, they order only study for college , So I don’t have much time. It’s paradox…I’m so sad

    • admin May 5, 2016, 11:57 AM

      English is the means of communication between LEGO employees because many of them are from different countries. So yes, definitely learn English. It is a good skill to have anyway, no matter what job you end up getting. Being able to convey your ideas through sketching or building with real LEGO bricks is important as well. If you want to become a LEGO designer I would suggest that you start designing and building now, and share your work on flickr. You can also use LEGO Digital Designer to build virtually if you don’t have enough LEGO bricks. While having a degree in design and engineering can be helpful, ultimately it comes down to how your LEGO creations fit the LEGO brand. Also, interpersonal skills are important, as you will be working within a team. I’m fairly certain that there are some other LEGO designers from South Korea, so you may want to reach out to them as well to get some tips. Good luck! ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Won Hyuk Son October 2, 2016, 10:40 AM

        I’m so sorry. Could I ask you something?
        Umm…. my age is 18. It’s very important time to me.
        So I’m considering this. (Because, actually, I have bad test score. So it’s very waste of time to me in high school time.) So….First option is I’ll study hard and go to the collge andthen ready for employ the LEGO.
        And Second option is give up the test score and everyday practing English and Building a lego andthen upload my creation in Filcker.
        Yes, It’s a very difficult choice to me,and many people chose 1.
        So….Could you give some tips for me? (Because I think that you’re have a lots of knowledge and way!)

        p.s when is open the LEGO employment site? I heard sometimes open that. And you think that LEGO desinger is possible Dream?(to Asian)

        • admin October 2, 2016, 11:12 AM

          Hm… that’s a tough question. The thing about going to college is that it can open up your opportunities. Putting all your eggs in one basket (hoping that LEGO will employ you) is not a good idea. If you don’t want to go to college, or you feel it is too hard, then you can try a vocational school to learn a trade or skill that can get you a good job or you can even open your own business. For example in the US right now there is a shortage of skilled tradesman; mechanics, plumbers, electricians, woodworkers, etc. Your own country might be different, but the point is to keep your eyes on opportunities that can give you a steady future with LEGO or somewhere else.

          While you are learning a trade or skill, you can continue pursuing opportunities with LEGO. You can become a LEGO designer from pretty much any previous experience, so it doesn’t really matter. But in general mechanical, computer, art, craft and designer skills can be very helpful to enhance your LEGO building skills.

          Continue uploading your creations on flickr is a good idea. And I also suggest that you network within the LEGO fan community. Join a LEGO User Group (if there is one in your area) go to conventions, participate in local and online contests, talk to employees at LEGO stores and LEGOLAND Parks, etc. These can all help in meeting the right people who can propel you towards a career with LEGO. And you can keep on the LEGO job postings to see if there is anything opening up in your area: https://www.lego.com/en-us/careers

          There is a new LEGO factory opening up in China, so you may want to check into that too. And learning English is a good idea because it is a skill that can help you throughout your life. Hope this helps some. Good luck! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Erin Templin May 14, 2016, 4:39 PM

    My son is almost 9 years old and has his dreams for his suture set on becoming a Lego designer, builder, creator. I have read all the articles I can to get an idea of what he would need to do and focus on for school. One question I have is, he has to do a school project (that is due Monday morning, I know last minute) and it needs everything from “career name”, schooling/training, skills required, and time line for achieving goals. Is there any of these on this site? If there is, I apologize because I can not find them. Thank you so much.

    • admin May 14, 2016, 5:20 PM

      Erin, I would suggest that you guys check out the LEGO Careers website, and just pick a job opening that is closest to what your son would like to be, and see the requirements. You should be able to use those for the school project. Here is the website: http://www.lego.com/en-us/careers

  • sam January 11, 2018, 5:15 AM

    I WANT TO BE A LEGO DESIGNER!!!!!

  • Noah April 29, 2018, 12:49 PM

    My most want-to-know question about applying is… what age do you have to be to be able to work at lego. I am 13 but want to start as soon as possible!

    • Noah April 29, 2018, 1:05 PM

      Also, just an addon, when is a good time to start trying to get into being a lego designer, and what can i do to have a “larger opening to fit through” so that i can become one. I do have the lego digital designer application, and i have a very creative imagination, im very artsy, very much into architecture, and also LOVE robotics. Im not saying that im putting everything into the bucket to become a lego designer, but it is one of my top jobs to become and look forward to. I would love this job and want tips to see if i am doing things correctly, or if i need to do anything more to get closer to become a lego designer.

      • Noah April 29, 2018, 1:11 PM

        ALSO! im not looking for any specific lego set topics to work on, just general lego sets.

        • admin April 29, 2018, 1:48 PM

          Noah, the youngest LEGO designer I know of was hired right out after finishing high-school, so 18-19 years old. However, this person was already very well known in the LEGO fan community because of his amazing designs that he posted on Flickr as well as displayed at various LEGO conventions.

          If you want to become a LEGO designer, I highly recommend that you post your work online. Flickr is the most popular picture sharing site LEGO fans use, although Instagram is also becoming popular. There is also MOCPages, but it is mostly used by younger kids. Flickr has some very large LEGO communities, regular contests, etc. Post your work online, become involved with the community, go to conventions, join a LEGO User Group (if you have one near you), participate in contests (especially ReBrick contests, as they are run by LEGO themselves), share tutorials, blog, etc. All of these activities can get you closer to your goal.

          Please keep in mind that if you do want to be a LEGO designer, you will need to move to Denmark, as that’s the only place LEGO designers work. While you can join the LEGO design team very young, as I mentioned above, it is best to get some kind of related degree beforehand so as not to put all your eggs in one basket in case you don’t get the job. As far as what degree to get, there are no specific requirements, but something related to design, engineering, architecture, animation, computers, etc. would probably be useful.

          Also, you might be able to get your foot in the door in other ways. For example, work at a LEGO retail store in some kind of position. You can see various job openings at LEGO’s job site. You can also apply for a job at LEGOLAND Parks or LEGOLAND Discovery Centers. They are not owned by LEGO but by Merlin Entertainment, but they do have their own LEGO design team, usually at the location itself.

          Hope this helps some. If you have other questions, feel free to ask. Wishing you the best with your endeavors! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Mr. Cup of Fail May 8, 2018, 3:26 AM

    This is a good thing to find about getting a job as a LEGO designer.

    I been researching the design of LEGO sets, mostly those around the $5 to $50 price range and try to make MOCs that look like they could be made has sets of checking the number of pieces and keeping the size of the pieces I use in mind. Not to mention making different function and gimmicks for these MOCs.

    I don’t expect LEGO would notice and hire me. I’m at the age of 22 who haven’t gone to college and is not planning on doing anything related to college (I choose of doing the risky self teach, having a strong interest to research and learn every little thing about the subject by myself). In fact I don’t mind working at Wal-Mart or Target as a job of moving boxes; and besides from building LEGO, I’m working on to get good and writing screenplay. There are even flaws about me like interacting with others (in real life) that really needs to be improve.

    If I would to become a set designer, my goal as the set designer would be these:
    -Building sets to be small as it can be with a good price to part, I know that many parents don’t have a lot of money to get their kid something over $25 and there are moments of those people with only the $10 pocket money. If i’m able to make a very loved set that is under $25 is good for me.
    -Making buildable figure great again. Sense the end of Hero Factory, I can easily see that the buildable figure line is not doing good at all, for many noticeable reason, the biggest example being the price to part with the current sets at around 200 parts for $40 and 100 parts for $30, many people disliking the human heads and pieces that use up too much plastic. I’m just gonna be making my own article about this, but I want to find a way to save the buildable figure type of sets and not die out.
    -Using more older pieces instead of there being new. during the years of LEGO there have been many elements made that have just stop being used in sets (especially the bionicle elements that made a dead stop after CCBS was made), I would like to try and bring back those old elements and use them like they have never been used before in sets.
    -introduce original LEGO themes. I don’t like the amount of licensed themes that are currently in LEGO, though if I’m put into designing a licensed set, it would seem that I have to try hard to make sure the license fee doesn’t affect the price to part. Though I don’t know how proposing a new original LEGO theme would work, but I would like to have my currently WIP invasion theme to become an official LEGO theme.

    But while I’m working on getting better at screenplay, despite that it would take a long time for someone like me to ever become a LEGO designer, I’ll be doing the same with building LEGO and design MOCs to look like they would become sets.

    • Mr. Cup of Fail May 8, 2018, 3:34 AM

      Oh and this may sound like a dumb question, but I seen the comment about moving to Denmark. When you get invited to Denmark, does LEGO pay for your flight to Denmark and back home if you aren’t hired to become a LEGO design.

      • admin May 8, 2018, 12:16 PM

        It really depends on the type of recruiting LEGO does at a particular time. It could be a contest type event where they may arrange accommodations but the participants have to get themselves there, or you could be responding to a job posting which would also require you to get there, or they may be reaching out to you directly seeing your work online and they may offer to pay for travel expenses. Again, it just depends.

    • admin May 8, 2018, 12:10 PM

      Those are actually really thoughtful goals. I especially like your idea of focusing on smaller/cheaper sets that are actually affordable to kids, as well as non-licensed properties. Giving BIONICLE parts a new life is an interesting idea as well. Many people use them to add interesting details to spaceships, mechs, etc. And I agree that those humanoid faces are weird. Wishing you the best with your endeavors both in relation to LEGO and writing screenplays! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Alexa January 30, 2021, 12:18 AM

    I have just recently started thinking about becoming a Lego designer (trying to find jobs and college majors that feed into them), so this is awesome info to have!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
    I do have one question, though. Since Lego is based in Denmark, would I have to learn Danish?

    • Thita (admin) January 30, 2021, 5:45 PM

      Alexa, no you don’t have to learn Danish. Most LEGO designers speak English, so you should have no problem with that. However, you will need to move to Denmark, as that’s the only place LEGO set designers work. If that doesn’t work for you, you may also consider working at a LEGOLAND Park. They have their own design department. Hope this helps some. Wishing you the best with your career! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Joseph December 3, 2021, 1:37 PM

    what degree do you need to get a job at the lego house

    • Joseph December 3, 2021, 1:44 PM

      im not trying to work there im 13 and wanna become an engineer to pay for flight school Im just asking because my teacher was talking about how hard it was to get a job at the lego house

      • Thita (admin) December 3, 2021, 8:58 PM

        I regularly see them advertise for various positions, so you just have to keep your eyes open if this is something you’re interested to do in the future. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thita (admin) December 3, 2021, 8:57 PM

      JOseph, it depends on what you would like to do. There are so many different areas in the LEGO house! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Joseph December 3, 2021, 1:52 PM

    also does anyone you work with have adhd. i suffer from adhd and when I take medication I have a hard time trying to create something that has pieces I have.

    • Thita (admin) December 3, 2021, 9:00 PM

      Hm… although I do have friends with ADHD, I’m not an expert on the subject. It’s best to talk about what you experience with your doctor. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Hutch March 25, 2022, 7:00 PM

    Can you please get be a job as in like a divider is my dream always wanted to be one๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿค‘

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