There are a couple of updates from the LEGO Ambassador Network that teen and adult LEGO fans might find interesting.
In upcoming LEGO sets the building instructions have a different look – in short, they’re white with a tan band and a simple image of the set. Many LEGO fans are not happy about this change, and it even led to some speculations about the future of LEGO instructions. The LEGO packaging team released the following statement in response:
“The LEGO Group is on a journey to make its packaging more sustainable by 2025. As we are gradually replacing single-use plastic bags with paper-based bags in our boxes, other in-box materials such as the cover of building instructions have also been re-designed for a visually consistent unboxing experience.”
Another change has to do with some of the adult-oriented sets that didn’t fall into any already established theme. Previously, sets that were meant for older builders were usually released under the LEGO Creator Expert line – unless they fell into a specific theme like LEGO Technic, LEGO Ideas, LEGO Architecture, LEGO Star Wars, etc.
As you may recall, the LEGO Creator Expert branding has been gradually phased out and replaced by a new adult-focused packaging design to make it easier for adult consumers to find models related to their interests. These sets have been referred to as 18+, and come in plain black boxes (they originally even came with black instructions, but this was later phased out due to causing issues for adults with vision problems).
However, there was still no easy way to find these sets at the Online LEGO Shop and other e-commerce platforms. After reevaluating the needs of consumers, the decision was made to unite adult-oriented sets under a new name; LEGO Icons. Interestingly, the LEGO Icons designation has been used internally within the LEGO Group for quite some time, so this will only be new to us. The new branding will be implemented from June 1st, 2022 on e-commerce platforms including the Online LEGO Shop, and the new name and logo will be implemented on packaging from January 1st, 2023. Here is the official statement:
“From June 1st, 2022, we will be uniting many of our adult-focused LEGO sets under the name LEGO Icons to help our adult consumers easily to find new, immersive builds or models that link to their interests and passions, particularly when shopping or browsing online. The name LEGO Icons will span all of our sets designed for older builders that are not already part of an existing LEGO theme such as LEGO Technic, LEGO Ideas, or LEGO Architecture.”
What do you think? How do you like these changes? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Feel free to share and discuss below!
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Lately I’ve been downloading the building instructions and displaying them on a computer screen to save up lots of space on my Lego building desk. I do hope that instructions are still in a protective bag so they don’t get damaged in shipping and storage.
I guess anything would be better than labeling sets as Adults/ 18+ .
(I’ve even heard stories about clerks being cautious to sell the sets to minors, which must have been an overseen side effect from Lego’ side.)
Yep, and this was reported on the Ambassador Network from the very beginning. It was especially confusing when sets like Winnie the Pooh and the Winter Village sets were labeled as 18+. Parents and grandparents had no idea what to make of it and were hesitant to buy the sets for kids fearing inappropriate content.