Book Review: The Art of LEGO Design

OWL reader Ryan, 13, reviewed The Art of LEGO Design by Jordan Schwartz. Check out his review below!

I’ve been building with LEGO and other building systems my entire life and have learned many tips and tricks along the way. So I was surprised that I didn’t recognize a single trick in this book! Most tricks didn’t even enter my mind.

I’m interested in a specific trick that appeared throughout most of the book, and that was the emphasis on using the arms and hands from mini-figures in any model, not only for details but also as connectors. Another unusual trick I learned is to put together two pieces that aren’t supposed to connect. I thought of this trick as an amateur before but when used correctly, it really adds an interesting new level of detail.

By far my favourite section in the book is the sci-fi section, and more specifically, the pages on making mech-suits. I’ve created my fair share of sci-fi models before, but never a mech-suit. The overall incredibility yet simplicity of the author’s finished products is inspiring to me and I plan to make my own mech-suit design.

Overall, this book is professionally geared towards truly dedicated designers, and will really improve my building skills and perspective.  I give it 10/10.

Thanks for your review, Ryan! Sounds like this will be a big hit with LEGO fans!

Are you a LEGO fan? Post below and let us know!

-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com