Animals
Animals
Koalas, zebras and squirrels, oh my!
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Zebra (2025)
Zebra (2025)
The biggest challenge here was getting the stripes right. I was heavily inspired by the 31129 Majestic Tiger set. I incorporated the same technique of an angled body built on its side, held in by ball and socket joints.
The biggest challenge here was getting the stripes right. I was heavily inspired by the 31129 Majestic Tiger set. I incorporated the same technique of an angled body built on its side, held in by ball and socket joints.
I tried to keep this design at a similar scale to the 31166 Beautiful Horse set.
I tried to keep this design at a similar scale to the 31166 Beautiful Horse set.
Similar to the Beautiful Horse set, the rear hooves can connect to the base.
Similar to the Beautiful Horse set, the rear hooves can connect to the base.
When creating the head, I had to build in a way I never had before. To get the right shape, I stacked plates to achieve the stripes, then angled the subassembly at a 45 degree angle. For the legs and neck, there are brackets to add extra strength and brace the repeated plate structure.
When creating the head, I had to build in a way I never had before. To get the right shape, I stacked plates to achieve the stripes, then angled the subassembly at a 45 degree angle. For the legs and neck, there are brackets to add extra strength and brace the repeated plate structure.
I am pleased with this first design, but i would like to revisit it oneday, paying close attention to how the model looks at different angles. For now, i think the profile/side on view is the best angle.
I am pleased with this first design, but i would like to revisit it oneday, paying close attention to how the model looks at different angles. For now, i think the profile/side on view is the best angle.
Kangaroo (2025)
Kangaroo (2025)
I love adding playability to models, and I also love the satisfaction you get when discovering that a piece serves a different function. The digger bucket provided that satisfaction, as it was the perfect size for the little joey and made the perfect pouch! A cross section shows how the bucket can be easily removed so you can place the joey inside, then attached onto the model again.
Unfortunately when you add functionality to the smaller models, you have to compromise on looks, and I think if i were to give this design another go I would make the kangaroo a little bigger to match. Here you can see how it attaches to the body. It is quite strong, braced by brackets and a round tile connecting to the main section of the body, ensuring it won't fall apart easily during play.
I love adding playability to models, and I also love the satisfaction you get when discovering that a piece serves a different function. The digger bucket provided that satisfaction, as it was the perfect size for the little joey and made the perfect pouch! A cross section shows how the bucket can be easily removed so you can place the joey inside, then attached onto the model again.
Unfortunately when you add functionality to the smaller models, you have to compromise on looks, and I think if i were to give this design another go I would make the kangaroo a little bigger to match. Here you can see how it attaches to the body. It is quite strong, braced by brackets and a round tile connecting to the main section of the body, ensuring it won't fall apart easily during play.
Squirrel (2025)
Squirrel (2025)
When looking for inspiration, I like to look at things around my home. I found this squirrel ornament, an heirloom from my grandmother. It was a great reference for this red squirrel! He's really sturdy and has a strong internal frame braced by the side panels, making him great for play. The new large macaroni pieces were the perfect size for the tail, too. On the right, you can see how each segment attaches together.
When looking for inspiration, I like to look at things around my home. I found this squirrel ornament, an heirloom from my grandmother. It was a great reference for this red squirrel! He's really sturdy and has a strong internal frame braced by the side panels, making him great for play. The new large macaroni pieces were the perfect size for the tail, too. On the right, you can see how each segment attaches together.
Koala on a Eucalyptus Tree (2025)
Koala on a Eucalyptus Tree (2025)
When building LEGO, you can always ensure the bricks have the best KOALA-TEA!
.....ahem. Pardon the pun. I never thought a pun would serve as such good inspiration for a build!
When building LEGO, you can always ensure the bricks have the best KOALA-TEA!
.....ahem. Pardon the pun. I never thought a pun would serve as such good inspiration for a build!
Lego geometry is amazing. When building the bonsai tree, I learned that you can create an angle by matching the distance between two points. A slight but sturdy offset was just what this eucalyptus tree needed!
Lego geometry is amazing. When building the bonsai tree, I learned that you can create an angle by matching the distance between two points. A slight but sturdy offset was just what this eucalyptus tree needed!
He's quite poseable, too!
He's quite poseable, too!
His hand can grip onto the tiles with studs here and his right leg can attach to the tree with a ball joint, in a way which remains mostly invisible from the front.
His hand can grip onto the tiles with studs here and his right leg can attach to the tree with a ball joint, in a way which remains mostly invisible from the front.
Part of the mug has a 1 x 1 plate on the side, meaning his paw can grip it quite easily.
Part of the mug has a 1 x 1 plate on the side, meaning his paw can grip it quite easily.
Taran-CHEW-la (2025)
Taran-CHEW-la (2025)
I've always loved the aesthetic of sweets, cakes and other treats. I also love genre-bending, taking one idea and mashing it up with other genres. I've made plenty of spiders during my time as a LEGO designer, but I really wanted to kick it up a notch.
I took inspiration from the Cybugs in the movie Wreck it Ralph. When they invade the candy kingdom of Sugar rush, a racing game filled with rainbow strips, NesQuick-sand and and a Cola volcano, they become what they eat. Here you can see the bugs eating a little too much candy!!
Perhaps one day I can make an entire line of strange bugs made from candy.
I've always loved the aesthetic of sweets, cakes and other treats. I also love genre-bending, taking one idea and mashing it up with other genres. I've made plenty of spiders during my time as a LEGO designer, but I really wanted to kick it up a notch.
I took inspiration from the Cybugs in the movie Wreck it Ralph. When they invade the candy kingdom of Sugar rush, a racing game filled with rainbow strips, NesQuick-sand and and a Cola volcano, they become what they eat. Here you can see the bugs eating a little too much candy!!
Perhaps one day I can make an entire line of strange bugs made from candy.
Butterflies (2017/2018)
Butterflies (2017/2018)
Blue Indian Ringneck Parakeet (2018)
Blue Indian Ringneck Parakeet (2018)
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