Just before new year, we revealed the new Botanical Series sets, aimed at adult builders. The 10280 Flower Bouquet is quite unlike any LEGO® Set we have previously seen. Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a roundtable discussion with the designer of the set – Anderson Grubb. A number of Recognised LEGO® Fan Media and Online Communities also participated, including Blocks Magazine, Brick Fanatics, Brickfinder, Brick Journal, The Bricks King Podcast, Bionicle fan community BZ Power and the Women’s Brick Initiative. We had the chance to talk with Anderson for about an hour. What follows is an edited transcript of the conversation we shared. We discussed the elements of subtlety and surprise; modelling organic shapes and why that colour was chosen for the rose…
One of the big changes to the way the LEGO® sets have been marketed to AFOLs during 2020 has been the introduction of the 18+ branding on sets that are predominantly aimed at AFOLs. This labelling has been applied to sculptures, vehicles, Fairground rides, UCS Star Wars, Modulars, Mosaics and even the Winter Village. Most of these have had precedents in previous ranges. After releasing 23 sets during the course of 2020, I wonder if we should brace ourselves for an onslaught of such sets in 2021.
On January 1 we will se the first sets in a new 18+ ‘Collection’: the Botanical Collection. Designed for adult builders, not so much because of the technical challenge, but more the subject matter, these sets have around 750-850 elements, and will retail for around €49.99/$USD49.99.
The first of these, 10280 Flower Bouquet, presents us with a 756 part set, and the makings of five different flowers, as well as some ornamental leaves and grasses. The designers, Anderson Grubb and Astrid Sundorf Christensen came to the project in different ways: Anderson is a designer with the LEGO Group. Astrid has been involved in making brick built decorations, including flowers, in LEGO headquarters, as part of a return to work program. Her involvement here led to becoming involved with this project.
I was fortunate to be sent copies of the first two releases in this collection for review, by the LEGO Group. We will look at the parts included in the sets, the individual flower builds, and the challenges in making all these flowers sit in a regular vase.
We first saw images of the new Botanical Series a month or two ago, and today, the LEGO group officially announced the release of these sets on January 1 2020. The main sets in this series, are both priced at $49.99 GBP/Euro/USD and $89.99 AUD. Here is the official Press Release:
Today, the LEGO Group has revealed a new range of mindful models for the green-fingered. The decorative LEGO® Botanical Collection includes a stunning LEGO® Flower Bouquet to brighten the home, and a LEGO® Bonsai Tree for those looking to be more zen in the new year.
