LEGO, An Organisational Method
ISTD, Design Awards and Competitions
‘LEGO, An Organisational Method’, is a response to the ISTD brief ‘Putting Things in Order’. The LEGO brick has become the perfect tool for expressing our imaginations as well as being one of the most creative and versatile toys of the twentieth century. LEGO is for everyone, whether you’re 5 or 65 years old and digging through a pile of loose LEGO bricks is an act of discovery. However, the main inspiration for this project was my brother’s collection of LEGO and his obsessive methods used to organise it.
My publication consists of two main narratives: the first explores ways in which LEGO can be ordered through a range of methods. The second documents the historical development of the LEGO game. There are three sections: Duplo, LEGO, Technic and Minifigures – with each building on the previous section as if you were building the size of your collection as you get older.
The visual language is playful, colourful and expressive to reflect the game. Many of my design decisions were inspired by LEGO brick, the game, the packaging and instructions. The dimensions for the formats are derived from the brick, including the size of the Duplo and Technic mini books. Vertical and horizontal settings of text allude to the building process and references are made to the interlocking pieces in the design of the pull quotes which are orientated in different ways to demonstrate the versatility of the game. Interesting facts set in a rectangular box with dashed rules in the dimensions of a brick. Other design decisions were informed by the game itself, for example the Technic mini book was inspired by building instructions which accompanies a LEGO set.
My typographic choice of Foundry Gridnik was inspired by the relationship it had to a LEGO brick. All the letters are based on a square grid and all the lines are of equal thickness giving it a strong modular style. The square features and geometric forms were a perfect match to the subject. My decision to use a larger point size, in the Duplo section, was to make it accessible for a younger audience.
The colours are inspired by the colours of the bricks and each section is represented by one of the primary colours, LEGO is red, Duplo is yellow and Technic is blue. Patterning from stud aesthetics on the tops of bricks feature on the front cover, end pages and title pages and my choice of semi-gloss paper stock reflects the plastic of the pieces and supports the colour.
The intended audience is those who have an interest in LEGO and/or have LEGO collections of their own. They can learn the history and think of how they could organise their collection. The book is section stitched with a hard front and back cover, and a LEGO-like plastic material attached to the front offers a tactile experience. The box is inspired by hardcover LEGO History books and includes a minifigure of myself as designer. It is a playful reference to the game and my personal connection to it.
Year
2021 Fourth Year
2021 Fourth Year
School
Massey University, Wellington School of Design
Awards
Best Awards Finalist 2021
Massey University, Wellington School of Design
Awards
Best Awards Finalist 2021
Final Walkthrough of LEGO, An Organisational Method
Final Photography
Best Awards
Link to Best Awards Submission: https://bestawards.co.nz/graphic/student-graphics/caitlin-dever/lego-an-organisational-method/
ISTD Submission
strategy and Specifications: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/698746439/
Research and Development: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/698640095/
Final Publication PDF: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/698725034/
Research and Development: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/698640095/
Final Publication PDF: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/698725034/
Exposure 2021 Display
