As you may remember from our previous discussions (see links at the end of this post), LEGO is currently running its first Indiegogo campaign to test out a new product concept called LEGO FORMA. The campaign is not just about trying a new product idea, but also about testing new marketing and engagement techniques. The LEGO FORMA team has been very active on the campaign page, answering questions, responding to feedback, and updating backers about the progress of the project from concept to production to distribution. There have been a number of updates since the last time we talked about LEGO FORMA, so it’s time for another roundup of LEGO FORMA news. 🙂
In the last update, we mentioned that the LEGO FORMA team shared printable versions of the Koi and Shark skins, so fans can download them and color them any way they like (see: LEGO FORMA Downloadable Skins & More!). Since then, the LEGO FORMA team prepared a couple of visuals to show where the different parts of the skins belong, as it was not entirely clear from the templates. Hopefully, these will make it easier for LEGO fans to start customizing even before they receive their kits.
The LEGO FORMA Splash Koi Skin has been updated with an extra splash of pink, yellow, and purple colors, making it even more vibrant and playful. In the image below, you can see both the original skin from the campaign (on the left) and the updated skin that backers will receive (on the right). The LEGO FORMA team also shared that for the Splash Koi Skin they played around with different effects and painting styles and were highly inspired by water colors. Being the most colorful of the three koi skins, the Splash Koi also proved to be the most challenging one. The color vibrancy and details not only had to work on screen, but also on print, to ensure it would live up to LEGO’s high quality standards. It took the team several trials to get it right. On the second image below, you can see the journey of the Splash Koi Skin from the very first iteration to the final result.
The LEGO FORMA Ink Koi Skin is left blank, so LEGO fans can color them in on their own. For this skin, the LEGO FORMA team drew on inspiration from adult coloring books and ink art. Even though the blank skin makes a beautiful display piece as is, coloring it in is a lot of fun. In the image below, you can see some coloring examples from members of the LEGO FORMA design team. The LEGO FORMA team hopes that these images will inspire LEGO fans to play around with the printable blank foil skins and come up with their own design.
Besides the color of the Splash Koi Skin, another minor change is that the total piece-count for the Koi has changed from 294 elements to 293 elements. The building instructions were previously included in the total element count of 294. As the building instructions are not an element, it has been excluded from the final piece-count overview on the packaging.
An important aspect of the LEGO FORMA experience is customization and rebuilding. Therefore, the LEGO FORMA team wanted to ensure that the holes for attaching the connector element to the skins are designed in a way that prevents the material from being damaged when you change the skins. The holes are shaped like a triangle, so the material can easily stretch when the connector element is attached. Also, the triangle is just the right size, so the connector element stays centered.
To those backers who are gifting their loved ones with a LEGO FORMA set, the LEGO FORMA team prepared a Christmas card suitable for gift-giving. You can print your card from the LEGO FORMA campaign page and sign the names of the gift giver and receiver after print. For those, who prefer a version without text, you can find it on the same LEGO FORMA campaign page. Remember to set the print settings to print on both sides of paper, so you can easily fold the A4 in half when printed.
The LEGO FORMA project remains right on time, with all four products ready to ship by the beginning of the New Year. The LEGO FORMA team is already on vacation for the Christmas holidays, so we are not expecting any other updates for this year, but they will be back at the beginning of January and they will keep backers of the campaign informed as soon as the boxes leave the warehouse.
What do you think? How do you like LEGO FORMA? Are you a backer in the Indiegogo campaign? And are you excited for the product coming in January? Are you planning to make your own designs for the skins? Do you see a future for these type of LEGO sets? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
I kind of liked the previous green Splash Koi better. Not that the final one is bad, it’s just more random. Still, my favorite is the Ink Koi. It’s like a 3D coloring book page!
I’m curious how successful they are think this campaign was and if we are going to see more of these sets. They have 6674 backers, which is less than what’s required for Ideas.
I think it’s probably about equal. People who supported the Indiegogo campaign had to pay, while people supporting Ideas just have to vote with no obligation to buy anything. So those 6674 backers are probably about the same as 10000 Ideas supporters. But that’s just my guess.
Yeah, that seems about right. Also, the goal of this campaign wasn’t just testing out a new concept, but also how to interact with and get feedback from fans. It has been a really interesting campaign in my opinion. I’m a backer and the regular updates and soliciting feedback and opinions have been great.
These could be sold at gift stores and art stores. I know many people who would be interested. Just put them in the same section with the adult coloring books.
Hm… that’s a good idea. I could see that work quite well. 🙂
@brickmaster
The sets had a more limited release, though.
All those colors are so pretty! I wish they would release them all. And we need other creatures like snakes, birds and even dragons! I bet they would be popular.
Those are great ideas! I want a snake too! 😀
Not a big fan of the foil skins, but they are very colorful.