What comes to your mind when you read LEGO Instructions? I envision a little booklet filled with simple and colorful illustrations made for anyone to be able to follow. Although some may see LEGO as a toy meant for children, the company has a much broader audience. With over 90 years in the industry, LEGO have become a part of many generations’ childhood memories.
In this very first post of our Legend blog series, we will delve into the well-known instructions of LEGO to see what makes them so special, how they have evolved over time, and what we can expect from them in the future.
What Characterizes LEGO Instructions?
Essential: The instructions are essential in the building experience that LEGO wants to provide and they have even become an integral part of the LEGO brand.
Dedication: Upon completion of a LEGO set, a building instruction team takes over and starts working on the instructions using a specially designed 3D software. They decide on the appearance of each step, the number of pieces to be used, the angles, etc. Interestingly, prior to the use of computers and 3D software, LEGO took photos of everything and used a light table to draw the instructions by hand.
Illustrations: LEGO instructions always use illustrations, making them easy to follow, regardless of language.
Large Spacing: LEGO is not afraid of making their instructions too long as they want each step to have enough space. This creates clear instructions and contributes to a fun building experience. Builders are encouraged to take their time while following the instructions.
Universality: The customers of LEGO are people of all ages and therefore, the instructions should be comprehensible regardless of age.
Numbering: Each step is numbered to help builders keep track of their progress.
Piece Callouts: The instructions include callouts to show what and how many pieces are needed for a specific build. This helps builders to ensure that they have all the essential parts to finish the project.
Perspective: LEGO uses one fixed perspective in their instructions to minimize confusing rotation and help builders to stay oriented.
Evolution
LEGO was born in 1932, celebrating their 90th-anniversary in 2022. The first Lego set, as we know Lego today was produced in 1949.
Compared to today’s instruction, the number of steps was significantly lower, making the instructions shorter and more difficult to follow. LEGO did not call out what pieces were necessary for the build, and it was not as obvious which pieces were to be used on which steps.
Fast forward to 1980 and let us take a look at the instructions for LEGO 6375-1 Trans Air Carrier. Here, we can start to notice similarities with today’s manuals. The user gets more detail and the build is divided into more steps.
Apart from small changes, LEGO have been very consistent in the design of their product. A LEGO brick today is almost identical to one produced in the 60s, so do not be surprised if an old brick fits perfectly with a newly manufactured one. Through consistency, LEGO have established and maintained trust with their customers, which is a key factor contributing to their wide consumer base.
Future
We can already see how LEGO instructions (along with other instructions/how-tos) are starting to go digital. Through the LEGO Builder app, users have access to PDF and 3D manuals as well as tools to keep track of their builds. The 3D function enables users to zoom in and rotate, offering a detailed view of each step and piece.
We can expect to see more integration of AI and augmented reality (AR) as the technology around it continues to advance. Various companies are introducing innovative concepts related to LEGO. Brickit, for instance, is an app that uses AI to enable users to scan a pile of bricks with their mobile camera and receive multiple suggestions for new constructions. With new companies entering the market, competition increases, and we can expect to see more innovative and interactive instructional designs.
Conclusion
The pleasure of playing with LEGO does not lie in the final outcome, but rather in the joy that comes from the journey of building. LEGO understands that the building experience is what truly brings joy to playing with their bricks and therefore, puts a lot of effort into the instructions. They have been disciplined enough to remain committed to their product without giving in to marketing pressures. By staying focused on the task, LEGO have built a trustworthy brand known for delivering an extraordinary user experience.
