Before you can vote for cool new LEGO sets, or submit your own you'll need to sign in with or register for a LEGO ID: You're currently signed in to LEGO ID as . Would you like to sign in to LEGO Ideas with this LEGO ID? LEGO Ideas is designed for older builders. We’re sorry, but based on the birth date we have on file for you, this means we can't let you have an account here. Create and Share Galleries as a place to share your models with other LEGO builders like you. Are you sure you want to log out of LEGO Ideas? Our community, 926 want it Our community, 896 want it Our community, 880 want itLego is demonstrating this summer that role models in science and technology for girls are still fairly scarce in toy land, just as in the real world.The company stirred excitement this month by offering a line aimed at girls called the Research Institute, Lego’s first offering to feature women in a professional setting rather than at play or partying.The set included three female scientists in their respective labs (without the pink frilly dresses worn by the girl Legos in the company’s best-selling Friends line).
Its introduction made news, especially given the pressure the company faced this year when a little girl’s letter went viral — she had begged Lego to produce more realistic sets for girls that gave them adventures and jobs rather than beach get-ups or baking duties. Within days of its appearance early this month, the Research Institute — a paleontologist, an astronomer and a chemist — sold out on Lego’s website and will not be available at major retailers, including Target and Walmart. Toys “R” Us did carry the line, but according to associates reached by telephone at two of its New York stores, it sold out at those locations as well.A Toys “R” Us spokeswoman, Kathleen Waugh, said in an email that it would be available in about a week at the company’s Times Square and F.A.O. Schwarz stores. Lego said the set was manufactured as a limited edition, meaning it was not mass-produced. , however, but for about three times its $19.99 retail price. Another sign of the set’s popularity is a Twitter feed @LegoAcademics created by Donna Yates, an archaeologist who is a research fellow at the University of Glasgow.
She has been posting the figures in humorous scenes of academia — and since her first Twitter post on Aug. 8 has attracted more than 24,000 followers.Two years ago, Lego introduced its Friends line aimed at girls, a series of kits that has been successful. In 2013, profits at the company, based in Denmark, rose 9 percent to 6.1 billion kroner (about $1 billion). The Friends figures, set against backdrops like a catwalk, a beach house, a fashion studio and a beauty shop, met with some criticism, and parents clamored for figures with less traditional gender roles. (In addition to the catwalk, Lego Friends now includes a “first aid jungle bike” and a “jungle rescue base” where the figures help their friends.)The Research Institute was developed by Ellen Kooijman, a geochemist based in Sweden, and submitted through Lego’s fan-sourced Ideas platform, where fans can propose their dream Lego landscapes. Lego can choose to green-light submissions that get 10,000 votes, and typically produces them as limited-edition items, according to Michael McNally, Lego’s senior director of brand relations.
The Ideas lines currently include a DeLorean time machine, based on the car made famous in the “Back to the Future” movies, and the Ecto-1 car featured in the “Ghostbusters” films. Mr. McNally said the company began reviewing the proposal for the Research Institute in January. “This awesome model is an inspiring set that offers a lot for kids as well as adults,” Lego said of the Research Institute on its website in June. As is typical with Lego’s Ideas products, the set received limited distribution and marketing, according to Mr. McNally, who declined to say how many units the company produced.Over the last few years, toy manufacturers have increasingly experimented with products aimed at girls. Hasbro came out with its Nerf Rebelle line of spongy foam dart guns, and Mattel introduced a Barbie construction set through Mega Brands’ line of building blocks before announcing in February that it would buy the company outright. Toy experts say that manufacturers are starting to realize that some traditionally male toys may appeal to girls, too, and vice versa.
Bronies, adult male fans of the My Little Pony toy line, regularly hold conventions, most recently gathering in Florida this month.“I think what we’re starting to see a gender breakdown in the toy aisles,” said Jim Silver, editor in chief of Time to Play Magazine.Perhaps. Even so, some have been a tad disappointed with the faces and the painted-on shapes of the new research figures. They’re all wearing lipstick, and at least one has drawn-in curves.On her blog, Ms. Kooijman praised the final Research Institute line but said that she “strongly” discouraged wearing makeup in the lab because of the potential for contamination.And Kelli McCannell, president of Hardy Girls Healthy Women, a nonprofit group that criticized the Friends line, questioned the dolled-up toys. “While I think that women should be able to wear any makeup that they want, I think it’s funny that had to be included on the girls, and that the girls would find that fun,” she said. “I guess it’s two steps forward, one step back sort of thing.”
Correction: August 21, 2014 Are you sure you want to log out of LEGO Ideas? Announcing the Next LEGO Ideas Set, and Winter 2014 LEGO Review Results Yup, you’ve got it! This is the results of the Winter 2014 LEGO® Review. Six projects from the Winter Review and one still under consideration from the Fall 2013 LEGO Review have been considered from every angle. Here’s what we have decided: LEGO Ideas #008: Research Institute We’re very excited to release Ellen Kooijman’s Female Minifigure set, featuring 3 scientists, now entitled “Research Institute” as our next LEGO Ideas set. This awesome model is an inspiring set that offers a lot for kids as well as adults. The final design, pricing and availability are still being worked out, but it’s on track to be released August 2014, so keep an eye out! All other projects from the Winter 2014 Review periods will not be produced The LEGO Review Board has evaluated each project according to our decision criteria.
We’ve decided that all other concepts in the winter 2014 review period will unfortunately not be produced as LEGO sets. This decision, however, does in no way take away from the incredible talent put into these projects or the passion supporters have shown. How do we make these decisions? Getting 10,000 votes for on a project is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. But it is really just the beginning of the project’s journey, because the 10,000 supporter milestone means the project enters the LEGO Review Stage. During the LEGO Review, a team of specialists within The LEGO Group – including LEGO set designers, marketing and business representatives, and other relevant team members – investigate and evaluate the project to determine its potential as a LEGO set. This involves analyzing the votes and information you give us about your project as well as looking at things like playability, safety, and fit within the LEGO brand. This takes a while and the timing varies because of all the different factors involved in the decision process.
Every potential LEGO product, including those developed internally, goes through a process like this and must meet the same standards. The LEGO Review Board makes all final decisions on which new sets the LEGO Group will release based on LEGO Ideas projects. First 2014 LEGO Review Results Coming Late Summer/Early Fall-2014 The first 2014 LEGO Review is well underway, and you can expect results late summer/early fall. Remember we have updated our review schedule to three times per year. We’re very excited about bringing you the Research Institute set and look forward to considering more of the amazing projects reaching 10,000 supporters and thereby qualifying for the LEGO Review. From LEGO CUUSOO to LEGO Ideas As you may have noticed, LEGO CUUSOO changed its name to LEGO Ideas. But the name is not the only change! We introduced a new and improved website, complete with responsive design and the possibility of embedding videos into your project. We’ve also changed a few rules…