It looks like there’s a big overlap between Apple followers and LEGO lovers. If the almost two dozen LEGO-themed apps for iPhone and iPad customers to get pleasure from aren’t sufficient, final 12 months, one significantly inventive fan submitted a LEGO design for an in depth Apple Retailer that now seems to be prefer it may change into an actual product.
The LEGO Apple Retailer appeared early a 12 months in the past on LEGO’s “Concepts” web site, the place LEGO aficionados can submit mockups of issues they’d wish to see was LEGO units, with different members capable of vote on the concepts. The Apple Retailer design started as simply one other random entry of dozens, nevertheless it was additionally lovely and meticulously designed, attracting loads of consideration. It hit 1,000 supporters solely six days after being submitted on Could 22, 2024, and shortly reached 5,000 by June 15.
These ranges purchased it one other two years to hit the ultimate milestone of 10,000 votes. That threshold advances it to the Evaluation section, wherein a LEGO Evaluation Board decides if this may be was an official LEGO Concepts product.
In different phrases, there’s a risk we may sometime be capable to purchase this LEGO package of an Apple Retailer.
Nonetheless, this merely implies that LEGO is actively contemplating the concept. The Evaluation Board may nonetheless resolve to nix it for any variety of causes. The board is made up of designers, product managers, and different key workforce members inside LEGO, who consider the product to see if it meets the corporate’s excessive requirements for “playability, security, and match with the LEGO model.”
LEGO does these product evaluations thrice a 12 months, so the Apple Retailer set has made it in simply in time for the usually scheduled Could overview.
This isn’t only a paper or theoretical analysis. The workforce builds idea fashions, which means this Apple Retailer mannequin will probably be constructed internally. Whether or not anybody exterior of LEGO ever sees it will likely be decided by how possible it’s, not simply from a sensible standpoint but in addition in securing the required licensing agreements.
That’s the place issues may get sticky. In a superabundance of authorized warning, LEGO will virtually actually search Apple’s permission to make use of its model. Right here’s hoping Tim Cook dinner is a LEGO fan, or this could possibly be lifeless within the water.
In concept, LEGO may proceed with a extra generic electronics retailer that avoids any express connection to Apple, however that might make the product significantly much less marketable. In spite of everything, it’s most likely honest to say that the ten,000 individuals who upvoted it need an Apple Retailer, not one other fruit-themed laptop retailer.
Both method, the overview course of is anticipated to take a number of months, though you possibly can watch the LEGO Concepts web page for updates.
Even when LEGO decides to proceed with creating and promoting a LEGO Apple Retailer, it’ll most likely be one other 12 months or two earlier than it lands on cabinets, as LEGO mannequin designers need to refine the product and create the field, directions, and advertising and marketing round it earlier than they will even ramp it up for a manufacturing run.
As soon as picked, a product concept enters the Manufacturing section. LEGO set designers take the unique submission and refine it right into a LEGO product that’s prepared for launch. Our workforce designs the ultimate LEGO mannequin, the product supplies (constructing directions, set field, and advertising and marketing property), and will get all the pieces able to be produced in our manufacturing facility.
LEGO
The design proposes a 1,539-piece package that measures 16.1 x 10.1 x 6.2” when assembled. The extent of element can also be unbelievable, with true-to-life miniatures of present Apple merchandise on the tables and homages to iconic Apple merchandise as some shock easter eggs. It’s not primarily based on any particular location however is unmistakably an Apple Retailer. Nonetheless, for the reason that design is submitted as an illustrated idea, it’s arduous to say whether or not the consequence will find yourself an identical to what’s been proposed. LEGO designers could have to make some adjustments earlier than it may be was an precise product.
The designer, TrumanBricks, is sort of prolific on LEGO Concepts. They’ve submitted 49 designs since 2019, with a number of acknowledged as “Workers Picks” and one which made it to market: Vincent Van Gogh: The Starry Night time.