Lego Idea Books

[WesternOutlaw]

One of the things that I remember growing up with Lego was the fantastic Idea Books that provided me with a lot of inspiration over the years.

As an example, the City Idea Book (pictured above) from the 80s included themes from City, Classic Space, and even Castle. In addition, within the centerfold was a great sheet of stickers that were pretty useful.

What ever happened to Idea Books? As we've seen boxart no longer provide alternate models , even Idea Books have gone away. I understand that there is a German Lego catalogue that will contain a history of sets, but how about some new models?

Does Lego just want kids to buy and build official sets, rather than try to build creative alternate models? Or has the large number of specialized pieces created diificulty for designers to create inspiration books?

Discus your thoughts in regard to Idea Books and if it would be worthwhile for Lego to offer them again.

[Svelte]

Great topic, The Brickster!

I gew up with this one:

When I came out of my dark ages it took me a while to remember I still had this hidden away somewhere, and when I dug it out it was nostalgia overload. So much great classic Town, Space and Castle ideas! I only ever had the basic Castle catapult with 2 falcon knights so the double paged spreads of massive Castle layouts sent me goggle-eyed with desire.

When I discovered online scans libraries of old instructions the one you posted above (6000) was one of the first ones I looked up. There's a huge amount of interesting techniques and inspiring deas still in these books so their use-value is still going strong. I don't know why alternate builds are no longer featured on box art but I'm guessing it's for financial reasons - time and money!

I for one would love a new Ideas book along the same lines as the old ones but I think it would have to be pitched at the right market - maybe a limited edition art book aimed at AFOLs along the lines of nostalgia sets such as Town Plan or the Modular Houses series. It wouldn't even have to be published by TLC itself, it could be something that featured the best-of techniques of respected AFOL builders in detail (eg like the current video of Jamie Berard making columns in the Designers sections of the website).

Which leads me to another point... I think from an official standpoint Lego Factory supplants the concept of the Idea book as a LDD user can log online and view hundreds of inspirational models from other users, view building instructions and even purchase the sets themselves if they so wish. That was definitely one of the problems of the Ideas books for me - without enough parts, some of the models were beyond my scope. At least you can go online these days and buy as many Space Skulls stickers (or whatever it is you want) as you need!

The only thing lacking from this model of an user-generated online Ideas Book is the great tableaus and photography which made the old printed ones so special to me as a kid. Eg in 6000, the opening narrative of the couple driving out the country, arranging all the bricks, slowly building their house, only to have it erupt in flames, is both a neat story, a good guide to building a simple house, and a humorous vignette! It's that kind of detail that TLC is slowly redeveloping by revisiting classic Town lines and producing adult-oriented high-end sets.

[WhiteFang]

Great topic, The Brickster!

I gew up with this one:

When I came out of my dark ages it took me a while to remember I still had this hidden away somewhere, and when I dug it out it was nostalgia overload. So much great classic Town, Space and Castle ideas! I only ever had the basic Castle catapult with 2 falcon knights so the double paged spreads of massive Castle layouts sent me goggle-eyed with desire.

When I discovered online scans libraries of old instructions the one you posted above (6000) was one of the first ones I looked up. There's a huge amount of interesting techniques and inspiring deas still in these books so their use-value is still going strong. I don't know why alternate builds are no longer featured on box art but I'm guessing it's for financial reasons - time and money!

I for one would love a new Ideas book along the same lines as the old ones but I think it would have to be pitched at the right market - maybe a limited edition art book aimed at AFOLs along the lines of nostalgia sets such as Town Plan or the Modular Houses series. It wouldn't even have to be published by TLC itself, it could be something that featured the best-of techniques of respected AFOL builders in detail (eg like the current video of Jamie Berard making columns in the Designers sections of the website).

Which leads me to another point... I think from an official standpoint Lego Factory supplants the concept of the Idea book as a LDD user can log online and view hundreds of inspirational models from other users, view building instructions and even purchase the sets themselves if they so wish. That was definitely one of the problems of the Ideas books for me - without enough parts, some of the models were beyond my scope. At least you can go online these days and buy as many Space Skulls stickers (or whatever it is you want) as you need!

The only thing lacking from this model of an user-generated online Ideas Book is the great tableaus and photography which made the old printed ones so special to me as a kid. Eg in 6000, the opening narrative of the couple driving out the country, arranging all the bricks, slowly building their house, only to have it erupt in flames, is both a neat story, a good guide to building a simple house, and a humorous vignette! It's that kind of detail that TLC is slowly redeveloping by revisiting classic Town lines and producing adult-oriented high-end sets.

Brickster, thanks for creating this interesting topic. I am sure for most AFOL whom collect LEGO, will defintely remember this almost forgotten asset.

svelte_corps

For me, I grew up with the same idea book that you have. One thing for sure, this idea book gives you great inspiration and ideas which you never thought is possible especially when you are browsing through the book as a child. Trust me, this book gives you the urge to do the alternate creations that 80's sets can offer. Although, detailed steps and instruction manuals are not included in this book, but the artwork that is published makes you love LEGO more. It gives unlimited possibilites of what excellent creations that LEGO can offer.

The Castle was indeed my favourite. You can see a big picture of layout of Castle, Space, Town and etc. It makes your eyes stare wide open. Why is that so? Firstly, as a child you love to imagine and dream. Secondly, in those days, there is nothing like Internet which have Brickshelf and LUGNET that provide MOC references. Thirdly, when you view those massive pictures, it makes you have the desire to own the whole LEGO range.

I wonder how did I ever own this book. I did not ask my parents, thought it was some free gift. Glad when I am much older, I know the true value of LEGO.

[WesternOutlaw]

Excellent thoughts on the subject svelte_corps and WhiteFang. It's great to hear that others enjoyed Idea Books. I just went out in the garage to dig mine out and although the cover is rather worn and torn, the book itself isn't in too bad of shape.

For those of you unfamiliar with Idea Books, here's an example of the one pictured above. It still has the price which was just $1.99 (USD).

For example, this windmill inspired by Grave Stone Whispering Windmill (although I did not break this out when I was building it).

I was surprised to find this many stickers still unused in the book:

And check out these castle inspirations:

What I like about any book as opposed to on-line reference material is that you can take it with you when you go to build on the floor or on a table, as opposed to building next to your computer (I don't think I ever did that).

I aslo had an old yellow Idea Book which I probably tossed over the years. It had some great basic building techniques. I remember one model of a blue/black Model T that I build a few times. I really enjoyed building with images and instructions from books like the one pictured above. Lego should really consider bringing back one of these. They could possibly include instructions that they post in their Brickmaster magazines. It would make for a great modern Idea Book.

[Shadows]

That is one I look back at often, though only in scanned form. Aside from the ridiculous space subplot, it's an incredible book, especially the lighted parts. I miss the whole lighting concept and guess it wouldn't appeal now. I'd like to see the current Beach House lit up, for example, as it most reminds me of the 80's style houses we don't get anymore.

Even with brick built horses and thoroughly wrong wheels, I can't find fault with those castle pages either.

Ah, the memories. Think I'll go look at it again ...

[Nikola Bathory]

yeah, Idea Books.... I have one, but I can't find it??? it's somewhere here at home...

anyway. the Idea Books are great, LEGO should think about making at least 1 new one.

[The Brick Rat]

I have a couple of Idea Books and would like to see them return also. However, I would like theme specific Idea Books. A Castle Idea Book or Space, etc. Release one or two a year. And I think LEGO is missing a bet by not making licensed themed books. How popular would a Star Wars Idea Book be? Or Indians Jones. A Batman Idea Book would top my list. It could have vehicles and buildings for Batman, the various villians (Jokermobile) and the GCPD. And besides the obligatory Bat symbols, a sticker sheet could have signs for buildings (a bank, Gotham Museum, GCPD Headquarters, etc.), a set of wanted posters for each of the villians and maybe even some minifig torso stickers (like a classic green suit and tie for the Riddler). Oh well, I can dream - but I'd rather do my dreaming with a brand new Idea Book in my hands.

[snefroe]

if i remember correctly, several members have asked about the idea books throutout the years on EB... the conclusion always was that we're sorry not having them anymore.

i don't think we ever asked lego why they're no longer producing them, however, i can think of several reasons:

1) the books were spin-off products of the regular line. Lego probably saw them as a marketing tool, so when money needed to be saved, they were the first to go, not being part of the core business

2) i think they're expensive to produce: creating all those models and scenes, not to mention the graphics probably was VERY expensive in terms of man power. Basically, creating a book is like creating several new sets for every major line. that's gotta cut deep into Lego's finances

3) i don't think the books were very popular. if i remember this well, i bought my "6000" idea book because there was no set left in the shop that i liked... if a child has to chose between a set and a book, what will most likely come out of it as the winner? think it's the set

4) don't think the toy shops are interested in those either. after all, an idea book doesn't really help to sell sets, they're selling stories or lego in general, not to mention the fact that many shops aren't suited to show these books really well. they don't belong on a shelf but on some sort of stand, like in most cases the catalogs... very often there's just no room for those...

To me , they've always been a huge inspiration. Idea book 6000 is one of my all time favorite lego products. the yellow castle in there has been an example for so many castles... "Town" was brilliant too... and then there were these brilliant space ships... hours i spent with that book in my hands... no wonder the current condition of that book is really bad... i'll just buy one on BL one day...

the other book i grew up with was the old 225

this book was from 1977-1978. the lego family was still dominating the catalogs, so it's only natural to find the family in this idea book too... i never cared for those though... what i liked most of all, were the large cars, the boats,... all models larger than minifig scale, more like the old "expert series"

[Vaders_son]

Hmm...I don't own any ideabooks but I'd love LEGO to make some.

They really can be a great inspiration, when I think back to my not so long ago time as a little child, I remember sitting there with the new LEGO cataloque and looking at the new sets for hours and just imagining what to build and play with them. So even those simple cataloques were great, ideabooks must be waaaay better

And snefroe - As mentioned above, LEGO should possibly produce it in a limited edition and sell it through S@H or bookstores, aimed at AFOLs and not kids. I'm sure that would sell really good if they did so...

Best regards, Benny

[WesternOutlaw]

I would like theme specific Idea Books. A Castle Idea Book or Space, etc. How popular would a Star Wars Idea Book be? Or Indians Jones. A Batman Idea Book would top my list. It could have vehicles and buildings for Batman, the various villians (Jokermobile) and the GCPD. And besides the obligatory Bat symbols, a sticker sheet could have signs for buildings (a bank, Gotham Museum, GCPD Headquarters, etc.), a set of wanted posters for each of the villians and maybe even some minifig torso stickers (like a classic green suit and tie for the Riddler).

Excellent idea Brick Rat. Your idea to have a theme specific idea book is similar to the old Train Idea Book from Lego. Although I never owned it, I had heard that it was train only. I would love to see an Indiana Jones idea book in the same fashion.

One of the important aspects, I think, would be to include some alternate models that one could build from sets, not just concept images; perhaps a mix of images with both and a sticker sheet (as you've mentioned). When I had gone to Legoland a few months ago, I was in the new adventure area looking at the mdse. The items included pyramids, snakes, hats, and other cheap Chinese mds. i was so disappointed in not finding any nice quality mdse. An Indy adventure Idea Book would have been a great item to have on the shelves next to the Lego sets.

At the same time, I would not mind seeing a combined book like the City Idea Book pictured above that included City, Space, and Train. It was mostly City but had a little space and castle toward the end.

i don't think we ever asked lego why they're no longer producing them, however, i can think of several reasons...

Good points Sne. I could see cost and sales being the top two issues. Perhaps if Lego were to offer Idea Books more as exclusives with a higher price point, Lego would do better with them. I wonder how Jake McKee's "Getting Started with Lego Trains" book sold? I ordered one a few years ago.

the other book i grew up with was the old 225

That's the one I remember! I don't have mine anymore. I built a lot of things from that yellow Idea Book.

[snefroe]

One of the important aspects, I think, would be to include some alternate models that one could build from sets, not just concept images; perhaps a mix of images with both and a sticker sheet (as you've mentioned). When I had gone to Legoland a few months ago, I was in the new adventure area looking at the mdse. The items included pyramids, snakes, hats, and other cheap Chinese mds. i was so disappointed in not finding any nice quality mdse. An Indy adventure Idea Book would have been a great item to have on the shelves next to the Lego sets.

well i think lego has already tried to create alternative models and put the instructions on the internet. Given the importance of internet, i'd say they'll most likely go for a digital version of a book instead of paper. much cheaper in every way, unfortunately

[Minifig Lecturer]

Great topic, The Brickster!

I gew up with this one:

So did I :wub: however, only have a few pages left as I think I tried to eat it.

EB members could make a collective Idea Book.

People submit pics of their best MOCs / ideas and someone with lots of free time paste them into word. It could be then up on Brickshelf for download.

Edited May 9, 2008 by Calvin

[Freddie]

well i think lego has already tried to create alternative models and put the instructions on the internet. Given the importance of internet, i'd say they'll most likely go for a digital version of a book instead of paper. much cheaper in every way, unfortunately

Which is why they're doing videos. Several on the creator team are the voices and hands of the inspirational and instructional videos LEGO have posted on their site.

And then, with all those large shows that are taking place every year now (BrickFest, LEGOWorld etc.), who needs inspirational books when pics of the real stuff can be found on the net, and just so happens to look a zillion times better.

[WesternOutlaw]

EB members could make a collective Idea Book.

People submit pics of their best MOCs / ideas and someone with lots of free time paste them into word. It could be then up on Brickshelf for download.

This is really an excellent idea that I was thinking about yesterday as well. I've created a few books for my personal use, but the idea of a book from the great EB MOCs would be terrific. I'm not sure about the Brickshelf idea, but to have some sort of virtual edition is a great idea - sort of like Rail Bricks (or whatever the name), but spanning a few different themes. We would need buy-in from the admins and members.

with all those large shows that are taking place every year now (BrickFest, LEGOWorld etc.), who needs inspirational books when pics of the real stuff can be found on the net, and just so happens to look a zillion times better.

I don't know about this. I personally feel that even with an on-line WWW reference, tangible products are still nice to have. They esp. come in handy when sitting down in front of a pile of Lego. Also, whether it's printed in a book or on-line, the quality of a good image is still about the same.

[Siegfried]

I really miss them. The only one that I still have in near-perfect condition is 8888.

What I liked about them was that most of the time they were based on current sets and thus everything in them could be made. Often when you see a MOC it uses old / rare parts, or is simply too big. The ideas books for the most part were composites of just a few sets.

Aside from the ridiculous space subplot

I always saw that as a dream. Interestingly, when I was borrowing Gavin and Gregor I decided that I wanted to create a story based on the 6000 ideas book! I even did the fire part!

[WesternOutlaw]

Interestingly, when I was borrowing Gavin and Gregor I decided that I wanted to create a story based on the 6000 ideas book! I even did the fire part!

Yes. These early inspirations stuck within our memories over the years. As I mentioned above, I remember the picture of the lighted windmill, years later creating my Ghost Town Windmill. Both examples show what a strong impact these early images had on us. I think that's pretty interesting, don't you? - nice MOC BTW.

[blueandwhite]

I still hold onto the absurdist dream of an AFOL Idea Book. I would love to see an Idea Book that pays tribute to those of us who have stayed true to the brick for these many years. Looking at the amazing shows you guys put on in Europe and the US, I would really like to see some of those MOCs photographed professionally.

[Brickmaster]

These things were a thing of beauty. My favorite as a kid was #260. You can find scans of it..

Here!

GREAT old castle/forestmen stuff, and great town and oldies space! (Once you get past the first few pages of creator content)

Edited May 11, 2008 by Brickmaster

[Wout]

ooh, I liked that idea books very much, But I never got any or ask any. When I got back from my Dark ages I went to search for the last idea book from 1997. After a year (in 2002) I found 2 in a big toyshop. I thought it was 5 or ten euro that time. When I read it it was not that bad, but it had for every theme only 2 real build instructions ideas and some pictures from whole diorama's. I thought the idea books from 1980- 1992 are a bit better. I saw the pictures on Internet and especially for town it had some more real instructions.

Pity it disappeared.

ooh, I liked that idea books very much, But I never got any or ask any. When I got back from my Dark ages I went to search for the last idea book from 1997. After a year (in 2002) I found 2 in a big toyshop. I thought it was 5 or ten euro that time. When I read it it was not that bad, but it had for every theme only 2 real build instructions ideas and some pictures from whole diorama's. I thought the idea books from 1980- 1992 are a bit better. I saw the pictures on Internet and especially for town it had some more real instructions.

Pity it disappeared.

[Svelte]

This thread has inspired me to buy Idea Book 6000 from Bricklink. You're right, the Brickster, there is definitely something about having the physical copy in your hands or next to your building area for inspiration. Thanks