MUJI + LEGO

Remember when I blogged about the new MUJI+Lego sets which combined paper crafts with Lego? Well,  Flickr user Ateliers Kazu.Raitu has bought two of the sets, and posted images on his photostream. Let's take a look at what the sets are like inside...

The box of this set shows the series' best model: some sort of strange dragon made with lots of different pieces of card to create a fluffy body. Apart from the obvious layout and graphic design differences, the box seems similar to a normal Lego box.

The box contains card with pre-punched holes, as well as a small instruction manual (or 'ideas book' as they used to call it in the Creator line). It seems like you have to cut out the shapes yourself... not the best idea, as people could always cut it out wrong and it will almost always look roughly cut, and not perfect. Then again, keeping the templates blank means people can make whatever shapes they like. It's only an ideas book, after all. I'd rather have both pre-cut templates AND blank sheets.

Here you can see the dragon-like creation. It's quite a clever design, using the bracket to connect the head to the body.

I really like this peacock. Whether it's the Flickr user's very own design, or one included in the 'idea book' I don't know. I only wish there were more Lego in it - it seems as if the Lego pieces are just used as fasteners for the card, not part of the actual shape itself.

There's also a cute little crab. Yay!

Ateliers Kazu.Raitu also bought something which we weren't shown in the Design Milk post - A specialised MUJI+Lego holepunch, which punches stud-sized holes. At least it saves you on buying more and more of the actual sets. To be honest, I like accessories. If this line is ever released by MUJI in Europe, I'd definitely buy this. Think about it this way: you could cut your own minifig capes! Stud-width is the width of a minifig's neck. You could also cut fabric for minifig clothes, boat sails, tent canopies... the possibilities are endless!

The hole-punch also comes with a template to punch studs in a line, all perfectly aligned to the studs on your bricks.

Well I'm glad I found out more about these MUJI sets - I've been wondering what's happening ever since I found and blogged them in December. Hopefully they'll come to Europe and the US sometime. If anything, buy the hole punch.

~John

MUJI + LEGO, LEGO Wallets

It's not everyday that, when checking the blog Design Milk, I come across two Lego-themed designs. In fact, I've never seen Lego featured on Design Milk before now. Maybe this is the start of some big marketing campaign - we'll find out in the coming months.

First up, popular Japanese design company MUJI is offering what the folks at Design Milk called an "awesome stocking stuffer". It appears to be Lego creatures and other models with card parts that slot in to create a more 3D effect - a very interesting idea.

All of the sets come with several models you could build. This set includes little mushrooms with card tops that fit into the studs on the bricks. There is an included instruction manual for other models.

In these pictures you can see, in more detail, how the models work. A pretty cool idea if you ask me. According to Design Milk, these sets will be released in the US at some point - but for now they're only available in Japan.

Next up are some Lego wallets made by design company ColorByNumbers. Though they may not be as well presented as MUJI's sets, they can have baseplates on the sides so you personalise them with tiles of whatever bricks you want.

ColorByNumbers' wallets are handmade and always personalised to your needs, so their stock is limited. If you want one, I suggest you get one soon!

~John