Communiy and the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group has going through some changes in the past few years.

Originally (about three or so years ago), the company was a bit standoffish about working with the community. To be fair, the community wasn't so gracious either - both sides looked warily at each other. The company was worried about being taken advantage of, and the community was worried about how much control the LEGO group would want for use of products and support.

Things turned around with the beginning of AFOL help with LEGO projects. From LEGO Factory to the present MINDSTORMS project, AFOLs have become a more active voice in determining the direction of products developed by LEGO. Before that, there were fan sets that were sold at LEGO shop at home and at the stores.

It's a good time to be an AFOL - if you are good enough, you will be noticed both the fans and the company. That would have been much more difficult  in previous years, but there is an active effort by the company to find builders.

How do I know? Well, having coordinated BrickFest 2006, one of the points that was made to me was that LEGO is looking for people to help them from time to time.

So what does this mean?

Well, it means that if you build well and post online, who knows? Being positive online really helps to. That's how I got started. My brickshelf account was noticed, and I was contacted to do what became LEGO Factory. And that was a FUN project - I had six weeks to work on building micro items. For the company! How cool is THAT?

People in the community have this opportunity, especially with the company becoming much more open. And there's a lot happening.

And one more thing - make SURE you have a contact e-mail on your photos online!

Joe

PS. Since BrickJournal began, three writers and contributors have been employed or are in process to be employed by the LEGO Group.