The LEGO BrickLink Designer Program sets on my shopping list

As the LEGO BrickLink Designer Program continues, my list of sets to crowdfund is only getting bigger off the back of my first set, not long ago.

The only BrickLink Designer Program set that has been tempting enough for me to get involved so far is Series 6’s 910054 The Art Factory. It stood out to me as the kind of building that the LEGO Group was unlikely to create to this level of detail anytime soon. That mindset is why I’ve only just purchased my first BDP model six series in.

Now that the first set is over and done with, I can’t help but look at what is to come in the future crowdfunding rounds. Thanks to my personal interests, I have my eye on a few specific models. Here’s what I’m most likely going to crowdfund in the future series of the BrickLink Designer Program

Series 8

There are no definite picks in Series 8 for me, but I will probably end up crowdfunding ExeSandbox’s Hot Air Balloon. The 876-piece fan design is as colourful as it is cute, featuring a high level of detail in a build that will go perfectly on top of a bookshelf. Whether it’s looking down on my LEGO city or somewhere else in my house, this adorable balloon build with the clouds is likely going to be too good to pass up.

I’m also strongly considering Coconut Cape by BallisticBricks. Truth be told, I’ve never been the biggest fan of LEGO Pirates, though seafaring adventures in general can interest me from time to time. The previous BrickLink Designer Program sets just haven’t appealed to me, given my lack of nostalgia for the theme, but Coconut Cape is a different story.

At 2,425 pieces and hopefully a price somewhere around £200, I’m considering crowdfunding Coconut Cape to pair with my One Piece sets. I had a great time reviewing the full first wave of the theme, including 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship. The set is one of my favourite sets released last year, but it’s too big to be displayed next to any of the other sets as seamlessly as I’d like. That’s where Coconut Cape comes in.

The BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 set seems to be large enough to sit next to 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship without either overshadowing the other. The architecture also reminds me of Loguetown, perfect for any scenes I’d like to feature the Straw Hat crew in. As I write this passage, I’m only convincing myself further and further to crowdfunding this set for a more pleasing One Piece display.

Series 9

Another big interest of mine is Dungeons & Dragons. I’m not particularly infatuated with medieval models, and am always searching for LEGO Castle creations that would fit a party of adventurers better than an army of historically-accurate knights. Therefore, the likes of Dustmark Keep and the Mountain Fortress just don’t appeal to me as much as one model from Series 9.

I’m eager to see the final design and graphics of MarinBD’s Sleepy Dragon Inn and finally have a spot for my many custom D&D minifigures to grab a drink. Right now, my copy of 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is particularly overcrowded, and even 21325 Medieval Blacksmith is starting to get too full. That’s why this multi-storey tavern model is one of my most highly anticipated BrickLink Designer Program sets.

The clear indication that this model is designed for a fantasy setting over a medieval one increases its appeal, and the various features inside the tavern are giving me plenty of ideas for scenes. I’m almost certainly going to be crowdfunding this set in October, greatly expanding the tavern found in the LEGO Ideas D&D set.

Series 10

After knowing that I’m probably going to crowdfund at least two BrickLink Designer Program models in the future, I had decided to leave it there no matter what. Unfortunately, that’s when the Series 10 finalists were confirmed. The increased demand for Castle models in the BrickLink Designer Program left me with reason to believe that I could safely skip Series 10, but the team are seemingly aiming directly for my wallet by focusing on buildings.

Rocknbricks31’s The Space Cafe was one of my absolute favourite sets in the submission window for Series 10, but I didn’t expect it to be selected, given its indirect, but clear presence as a modular building. The program has been diverting away from modular buildings in favour of more standalone models, such as The Art Factory.

Now, the team appears to be welcome baseplate-based builds once more, and it’s bad news for my bank account. The 2,545-piece diner-style model is going to be an absolute must-have. I also just so happen to have an Americana district in my city with the BTS set that needs a central focus. I’m currently keeping my fingers crossed that the final design doesn’t change too much from this proposal, and that it keeps the modular building style.

Another interesting model in Series 10 to me is HostasBuilds’ Kiosk. I’ve been searching for smaller, relevant models to place around my city that aren’t restricted to a baseplate and was going to rely mostly on the Restaurants of the World GWP collection that started earlier this year. Thankfully, this Kiosk is exactly what I had in mind for at least one of those gaps.

While it’s not a definite pick for me just yet, I’m hoping an affordable price point will make this an easy add-on to my Series 10 order. Thankfully, I’ve got 11 months to start saving up before crowdfunding starts in February next year.

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