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The crowdfunding stage of Series 4 of the BrickLink Designer Program begins today, at 8 AM Pacific time. Crowdfunding for this series ends on March 1st, 2025 at 12 PM Pacific time, or once all sets sell out. As we know from previous series, many of these upcoming sets sell out within hours, so if you would like to get any of them, it’s best not to delay!

As usual, BrickLink members may pre-order their favorite sets from the series, with a limit of 2 of each set per household. All sets that receive over 3,000 pre-orders will be produced. Up to 30,000 of each set will be manufactured during a limited, one-time production run. There are five sets in this series, and information about them is included below as well as on the crowdfunding page.

Merchant Boat by NicolasCarlier – While the overall shape and design of this steamboat are entirely of Nicolas’ own imagination, their approach involved drawing inspiration from various references. From actual boat photography to paintings and concept art, each reference played a big role in shaping the final concept. The essence of the design lies in giving a manually crafted look to the boat, achieved through the incorporation of reclaimed elements from the merchant’s voyage. Experimenting with different colors and unusual shapes complements the desired final aesthetic. On the deck, you will find the main cabin, including a bed, a small kitchen, as well as a dining table. The upper floor is accessible through a side wooden staircase at the back of the ship. The design includes two paddle wheels, on both sides of the boat. The upper floor and the roof can be detached to access the inside of the model. 2,180 parts, 4 minifigures, 3 stickers. Price: $169.99

Wild West Train by llucky – At the head of the train is a steam locomotive, styled in true Wild West fashion. It features a gray boiler with a tangle of pipes and a large chimney at the front, all decked out in dark red and gilded details. The cabin features brown windows, giving it a classic, rustic look. There is also a coal car, a passenger car, a transport car, and an open car. Next to the train, there’s a tall water tower, filled with water for the steam boiler. A little further away, there’s a windmill powering a pump that pumps water into the water tower. The train is designed to be easily motorized. 3,192 parts, 12 minifigures, 17 stickers. Price: $279.99

Medieval Seaside Market by Bricks_fan_uy – Welcome to Willport! The model consists of a seaside castle with a market and port inside. It is arranged so that the focal point is actually the rear side of the castle instead of the gate as it usually is. For ease of use, the model can be split into four sections. The set includes the main tower, the wagon and ship, the market area, the lighthouse tower, as well as side towers. Despite being a castle at its core, it is also a port that can be appealing to pirate fans, at the same time, it’s also a marketplace for those who enjoy the everyday life scenes more than the battling, conquering, and raiding scenarios. Another key aspect is that although LEGO has released several boats for the castle theme, there has never been a port set where they all can dock and interact. In a way, this set integrates with people’s collections and could easily make its way into LEGO fans’ medieval villages. 2,560 parts, 9 minifigures. Price: $229.99

Siege Encampment by SleeplessNight – Introducing the Advanced Encampment, where the art of medieval warfare meets precision and preparation! This strategically designed camp ensures not only the might of our offensive weaponry but also the backbone of support needed for a triumphant siege. Includes accommodations fit for nobles, grunts’ quarters, field kitchen, herbalist, weaponry repair shop, supply cart, defensive stockades, a mighty trebuchet, catapult, and versatile armament. The advanced encampment is more than just a military base; it’s a complete strategy for success! 2,598 parts, 18 minifigures, 11 stickers. Price: $229.99

Riverside Scholars by Hanwas – The Riverside Scholars is the next set in the Hanwas’ original theme, The Mountain Windmill Series. The theme was created whilst writing a story for his sons. The Mountain Windmill was released as part of the BrickLink Invitational and The Ocean House is due to enter crowdfunding next year. The story tells of the mysterious Mountain Windmill that holds mysteries long since forgotten by the villagers who live in its shadow. The journey to the windmill is too dangerous to travel, until, that is, a young village boy discovers a map marking a hidden route to the Windmill. The Riverside Scholars is one of many steps along the path to the Windmill. 2,769 parts, five minifigures, 2 stickers. Price: $199.99

Even though all of these models are quite large and expensive, I’m certain that they will all get crowdfunded easily. Once funded, LEGO will produce the sets in their own factories, and orders will be ready to ship around July of this year. (Actual dates and shipping times may vary.)

What do you think? How do you like this series of the BrickLink Designer Program? Are you planning to get any of the sets? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

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LEGO Ideas The Evolution of STEM Coming Soon!

Back at the end of 2023, the LEGO Ideas team ran a challenge to celebrate STEM in collaboration with Target. The challenge was called: Celebrate the Wonder of STEM!, and the winning model that was originally titled Knowledge is Power is soon to be released as an official LEGO set!

Marie Curie, George Washington Carver, and Sir Isaac Newton—what do they all have in common? Each made scientific discoveries that still shape and power the world around us. From radioactive materials to the laws of motion and crop diversity, they pioneered world-changing STEM developments with their curiosity, creativity, and collective pursuit of knowledge. And they all star in the new #21355 LEGO Ideas The Evolution of STEM set!

By day, danielbradleyy crunches numbers as a trainee accountant. But in his spare time, he builds LEGO sets with the help of his beloved cat Zeus (maybe our first, ever CFOL – Cat Fan of LEGO?), and in 2023, he won the hearts, minds, and votes of both the jury and the fans with his inventive – and explosive – STEM set design. Inspired by his childhood love of science and an endless curiosity in STEM, Daniel hopes this set will show enthusiasts and builders of all ages the power of learning and spark conversations in homes worldwide.

“I have created a set that aims to embody the endless potential of knowledge. I wanted the set to look like the book pages were bursting, exploding with knowledge. I have included segments to help visualize all areas of STEM,” Daniel explained.

The set – an open book with elements of science bursting off the page as though they cannot be contained – brings the world of STEM to life, showing how interconnected and impactful each strand is. With little nods throughout to engineering achievements, scientific theories, and genius inventions – each meticulous detail invites viewers to uncover the joy of discovery.

Dust off your lab coat and see how many hidden details you can spot – look out for the Petri dish, the pen and quill, and mathematical calculations scratched onto a chalkboard. Oh, and nestled into the book’s pages, look out for some secret surprises…can you find them and crack the code?

The LEGO Ideas Design Team worked closely with Daniel to contextualize parts of his design with real-world examples. The minifigures represent iconic historical STEM heroes, the NASA Voyager 1 probe launches from the top of the set, and in the center, a DNA strand and a 3D replica of a carbon atom move and rotate. Humanity’s most pioneering advancements fill the rest of the set, and if you look closely, you’ll spot a 1900s automobile, Sir Isaac Newton’s famous apple tree, George Washington Carver’s botanical garden, and an early computer – a vibrant celebration of the wonder of STEM.

One key detail missing from the original design is the LEGO Ideas Design Team’s homage to the challenge winner. His ingenuity and creativity brought this fascinating set to life, so including a nod to him was essential. To honor Daniel and his favorite building companion, Zeus, the city element of the set features a billboard advertising pet food.

“Beneath all the hard facts, STEM embodies a very human story of exploration, adversity, and accomplishments, fueled by people with a passion and a desire to better the world. In the set, we tell three remarkable people’s stories, and we hope they will inspire you in your own voyages of discovery into the world of STEM,” says the LEGO Ideas Design Team.

Here is the official description of the set: Open a brick-built book on the evolution of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with this LEGO® Ideas collectible display model for adults (21355). An inspiring science gift for women, men, and history lovers, the set features a buildable base in the shape of an open book topped by mini-builds that represent historic innovations. Build an early car and a home computer, the NASA Voyager Probe with the Golden Record on board for any extraterrestrial life form that may find it, and much more. Turn the dial to make a 3D replica of a carbon atom float upwards and a DNA strand rotates. The set includes LEGO minifigures of 3 famous scientists: Marie Curie, the first person ever to win 2 Nobel prizes; Sir Isaac Newton, famous for his law of universal gravitation; and pioneering agricultural scientist George Washington Carver. Find building instructions in the box and on the LEGO Builder app to help you with every step of your rewarding, creative journey through the history of STEM.

The #21355 LEGO Ideas The Evolution of STEM set will be available starting on March 1st. Prices are as follows: 79,99 USD / 79,99 EUR / 69,99 GBP. For more information, visit the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like this new LEGO Ideas set? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

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