Let me start off my apologizing that I can’t embed this excellent LEGO Blocumentary into the page. For whatever reason, LEGO decided to make it difficult.
Anyway, follow the link, and enjoy part two of this LEGO video about what it means to be an AFOL (Adult Fan Of LEGO). Directed by Jess Gibson, it takes you behind the curtains of some of the most influential LEGO builders out there. Fascinating, and very well done.
LEGO Blocumentary
What defines us? Our love of the brick. We’re fascinated by the amazing possibilities. We enjoy making our imaginations into something tangible. It’s another art medium.
-Tom Rafert, AFOL
I totally agree with what Tom Rafert, of SEALUG I believe, had to say about being an AFOL. I just love creating abstract ideas and things with tangible bricks. I find it to be like solving a puzzle. Finding the right piece, or the right technique, to express what I am trying to say. LEGO building is indeed very artistic.
What I didn’t realize is how big Flickr has become to the AFOL community, as pointed out by Mr. Rafert. He attributes the LEGO hobby growing “by leaps and bounds” to Flickr, and the ease of sharing your creations with so many people; being able to get comments on your work. Flickr opened up the LEGO hobby to so many more participants.
I need to revisit by own Flickr account, and start posting all my A LEGO A Day images there, linking to them from Flickr.
Another interesting topic came up in this portion of the LEGO Blocumentary. These are some of the characteristics found in most AFOLs. I must say, I agree, and fit these perfectly myself.
- have technical backgrounds
- intelligent
- easy-going
- engineering personalities
- but with an artistic side
I Like to bend the brick; to make it round.
What do you think? Do you agree with the AFOL characteristics outlined in this LEGO Blocumenetary?
I am an Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL) and an active member of the Michigan LEGO User Group (MichLUG). I have loved LEGO for as long as I can remember. I am currently working on the following models:
– UCS Millenium Falcon
– Emmett’s Apartment Building
– Gringott’s Bank
I agree totally that flickr has made a huge impact on what lego is nowadays. Sharing photos all over the world allows you not only to see and learn new technicques but also to delight yourself with those creations and have motivation to do your own. It is one of the best lego tools for AFOLs.
have technical backgrounds: I don´t have it.
intelligent: I don´t consider it myself.
easy-going: Yes… I think! 😀
engineering personalities: I am still a student so no.
but with an artistic side: I suppose every person has it, and even more if you are an AFOL.
So for me that aren´t the most importat facts; i am not an engineer, neither an artist, but i love and enjoy lego as a kid. That is the most important one: Enjoy, play, be happy with your lego. 🙂
Yeah, I really need to start using Flickr if for no other reason than to reduce bandwidth on my server. And it’s another great way to be discovered!
Yes! Definitely an art medium, not just a toy. Anyone who sees some of the amazing creations online or at a Lego convention knows right away, that the person who created it is an artist. I mean, how could they not be? So many amazing creations I have seen.
I don’t make too many MOCs maybe because I’m not that creative or because I just don’t the all the types and amounts of bricks I want to build what I see in my head. But I do love building the larger sets (even the small ones) and following the directions, I love making houses especially. I imagine people who love putting jigsaw puzzles will like making a Creator set or something. I think following the Lego directions and putting a set together is just like a puzzle, but in 3D.
The characteristics you listed is just about the description of my husband! He’s an AFOL as well.
Definitely another art medium. You’re taking nothing (lose bricks) and putting them together as a representation of something completely different.
I’m not as much of a MOC’er these days as a MOD’er. I love building the sets, and improving upon them.
And those characteristics describe me pretty well, too.