How will the BrickLink Designer Program differ from LEGO Ideas?

With the BrickLink Designer Program returning permanently, there are now two ways for fan-designed sets to become reality – so how do they differ?

Both LEGO Ideas and the BrickLink Designer Program offer ways for fans to design LEGO sets that will one day end up on retail shelves. However, there are a few key differences.

While both centre around a public vote, LEGO Ideas requires a set to reach 10,000 supporters so that it can get to the review stage. People at the LEGO Group then review all the sets that achieve that, selecting a few to be made into real sets. The LEGO Group’s designers also have input on the creation of the set, often making changes to the original designer’s plans.

By contrast, five sets will be selected by public vote for the BrickLink Designer Program, with the five that got the most votes making the cut. Traditionally, the BDP sets are changed less, relying on the fan designers to create a reliable product (although it may still go through quality testing by the LEGO Group).

Another key difference is that the BDP sets will be on a much more limited run, with all sets that receive over 3,000 pre-orders being produced up to a maximum of 20,000 of each set during a one-time production process. In contrast, LEGO Ideas sets are sold and produced like any other build, without the crowdfunding element of sales.

The BrickLink Designer Program also moves much faster than LEGO Ideas, going from submission to production in just over a year. It often takes a few years for a LEGO Ideas set to make it to the shelves, with more input from the LEGO Group slowing down the process.

It’ll be interesting to see how the BDP holds up, but anyway for fans to have more input on the LEGO Group’s range of sets is always a fun way for the community to band together.

Double VIP points are now available across the board at LEGO.com. Head over using one of our affiliate links to earn twice as many points on every purchase through December 13.

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Rachael Davies

I write about all the very best fandoms – and that means LEGO, of course. Spending so much time looking at and talking about LEGO sets is dangerous for my bank balance, but the LEGO shelves are thriving. You win some, you lose some.

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