Many people enjoy playing with Legos, creating fun and quirky designs with these plastic bricks. But for a select few, it's more than just a pastime—it's a form of art. These individuals see beyond simple play; they view it as an opportunity to craft something meaningful.
For those with a passion for building and designing, Lego offers the perfect platform to turn their creativity into a career. Lego provides opportunities for creative minds who want to bring their ideas to life and make a living out of their designs.
In this comprehensive blog, we'll guide you through the steps on how to work for Lego as a designer. We’ll take you through every step to help you turn your dream of joining this fun company into a reality.
The History of LEGO: What Makes Them So Special?
The global toy industry is a market worth over $300 billion and it's estimated to grow to $400 billion by 2030. The industry holds immense potential, especially for creative individuals who can imagine and design intricate, artistic creations.
Lego is one of the pioneers of the consumer toy industry. Founded in 1932 by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen, Lego initially produced wooden toys. In 1947, they introduced their iconic plastic bricks, a move that transformed the company forever. This unique design enabled builders to create sturdy, complex structures.
Today, Lego is the most profitable toy manufacturer in the world, with sales reaching $2.1 billion. Its fan base spans generations, and from theme parks to movies and video games, Lego has become much more than just a toy company—it's a pop culture icon.
Headquarters: Billund, Denmark
Total Employees: 25000+ employees
Average Salary: Averages $62,000 annually.
Career Page: Work at Lego
Why Work as a Lego Designer?
At Lego, you have the opportunity to transform innovative ideas into products that can spark joy and creativity in millions of people worldwide. Designers at Lego work on various projects, from themed sets like Lego Star Wars to special kits aimed at adult fans like Lego Architecture. The role offers a unique blend of creativity, problem-solving, and engineering.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Lego Designer
Step 1. Build a Strong Educational Foundation:
To become a Lego designer, a solid education in design or a related field is essential. While there isn't a specific "Lego Designer" degree, several educational paths can prepare you for the role.
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Degree Programs: Pursue a bachelor's degree in fields such as Industrial Design, Product Design, Architecture, Graphic Design, or Mechanical Engineering. These degrees provide a foundation in design principles, problem-solving, and technical skills, all of which are crucial for a Lego designer.
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Certifications: While there is no strict certification required to become a Lego designer, having a degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or Architecture is highly recommended. Additional certifications in 3D design software like AutoCAD, Rhino, or SolidWorks can also boost your chances.
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Lego Design Courses: Some design schools and online platforms offer courses or workshops in toy design, including Lego-specific programs. Attending such events and workshops can also help you better understand the company’s design process.
Step 2. Develop the Necessary Hard Skills:
A Lego designer requires both technical and creative skills. Here are some of the essential hard skills to develop:
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3D Modeling and CAD: Lego designers frequently use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create digital prototypes of new sets. Programs like Rhino, SolidWorks, and Lego's own Digital Designer software are widely used in this process.
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Industrial Design: Understanding how to design products that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional is critical. Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and ergonomics is key for creating designs that are both practical and durable.
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Sculpting: Depending on the project, designers may need to create physical models or prototypes by hand. Having skills in traditional sculpting and model-making can be helpful.
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Mechanical Engineering: For more complex Lego builds like Technic sets, an understanding of mechanical engineering principles is beneficial. You should know how to create moving parts and ensure the functionality of your designs.
Step 3. Hone Your Soft Skills:
In addition to technical proficiency, Lego designers need a strong set of soft skills to thrive in a team environment and bring projects to life:
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Creativity: Creativity is the most important trait for any Lego designer. You'll be expected to think outside the box and create innovative, exciting designs that can appeal to not just kids but a diverse group of people.
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Attention to Detail: Lego designs involve intricate elements that must fit perfectly. Precision and attention to small details are vital to ensure your designs are feasible and meet the company's high standards.
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Problem-Solving: Problem-solving skills are crucial for overcoming challenges during the design process. As a designer, you must figure out how to make a new set structurally sound and work correctly.
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Collaboration: Lego designers often work in teams to develop new products. Effective collaboration with other teams, designers, and marketing professionals is critical to bringing a product from concept to completion.
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Communication: At Lego, designers must create impressive structures and convey their ideas and concepts to their team. Excellent communication skills are crucial for thriving in this collaborative environment.
Step 4. Build a Portfolio of Your Work:
Your portfolio is your business card when applying for a job at Lego. It should include a collection of your best design work, showcasing your creativity and technical skills.
Here’s what to include:
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Lego Creations: Build and document original Lego creations that showcase your ability to think like a Lego designer. Consider creating various designs, from simple models to more complex, large-scale builds.
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3D Modeling work: Include examples of your work in 3D modeling software such as Rhino or SolidWorks. Make sure to demonstrate your ability to bring a design from concept to final product.
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Sketches and Concept Art: Many Lego designers start their projects with sketches. Including concept art and hand-drawn designs in your portfolio will show you have a strong foundation in visualizing ideas.
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Prototypes: If possible, include physical or digital prototypes of your designs. This will demonstrate your ability to consider the practicality of your ideas.
Step 5. Gain Relevant Experience:
Lego values experience in design, especially within the toy industry. If you're just starting, consider taking the following steps to gain experience:
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Internships: Look for toy design, industrial design, or product development internships. Some companies, including Lego, offer internships for aspiring designers. These opportunities allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn from professionals in the field.
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Freelance Work: Offering freelance design services can also help you build your portfolio and gain experience working with clients.
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Lego Ideas Platform: The Lego Ideas platform allows fans to submit their designs to see them become official Lego sets.
Step 6. Apply to Lego:
Once you have the education, skills, and portfolio to back you up, it's time to apply for a position at Lego. Here’s how to get started:
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Checkout Open Positions: Check Lego's career page regularly for job openings. You can search for positions in the company's headquarters in Billund, Denmark, or other global offices.
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Customize Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience, educational background, and skills. Make sure to emphasize any experience related to design, creativity, and product development.
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Network: Attend Lego fan events, toy fairs, and design conferences to network with toy industry professionals. You never know when a connection could lead to a job opportunity.
8 Most Asked Lego Interview Questions
1. Why do you want to work for Lego?
Here’s how you can answer this question:
I've been passionate about Lego since childhood. What excites me most about Lego is its commitment to fostering imagination and learning through play. As a designer, I want to be part of a company that encourages creativity and empowers millions of people to explore their potential.”
Joining Lego would allow me to contribute to a legacy of fun and learning while working on projects that inspire people of all ages.
2. What do you know about Lego's values and culture?
Here’s how you can answer this question
Lego values creativity, learning, and collaboration, all of which contribute to an innovative and fun work environment. The company's commitment to high-quality products also reflects its loyalty to its customers.
3. Can you describe a project where you had to solve a complex design problem?
Here’s how you can answer this question
I once worked on a project where budget constraints were a major issue. I simplified the design and researched alternative materials, balancing aesthetics and cost without sacrificing quality.
4. Tell us about a time when you worked in a team to meet a tight deadline. How did you handle it?
Here’s how you can answer this question
Our timeline was cut short during a product launch. I helped the team by prioritizing tasks, maintaining clear communication, and ensuring that everyone stayed on track, which helped us meet the deadline successfully.
5. Describe a time when you had to work under pressure. How did you manage it?
Here’s how you can answer this question
I had to finish a design prototype within a very tight deadline. I broke the project into smaller, manageable tasks, stayed focused, and maintained clear communication with my team, ensuring the project was completed on time.
6. What is your design process, and how do you ensure the final product is creative and functional?
Here’s how you can answer this question
My process involves research, sketching concepts, prototyping, and refining based on feedback. I always keep the customer in mind, ensuring the design is fun and functional while adhering to constraints such as safety and usability.
7. What do you think is the most important quality for a Lego designer?
Here’s how you can answer this question
Creativity is the most important quality, but it must be paired with technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to ensure that designs are not only imaginative but also practical and engaging for users.
8. If you could create a new Lego set, what would it be and why?
Here’s how you can answer this question
I’d create a '7 Wonders of the Earth' series featuring iconic landmarks like the Great Wall and Taj Mahal. It would inspire creativity while educating builders about different cultures and architecture.
A Few Lego Group Designer reviews:
- There is no better retail job where the company and those around you care for you and your well-being. Management assisted me with many family emergencies!
Pros: Employee discount, build sets on the clock, fun environment, 401k, great hours
Cons: None
- Brick Specialist (Former Employee) - Louisville, KY
- Working with The Lego Group is/was an incredibly fulfilling experience. Not often does a company live up to lofty expectations, even rarer such expectations are exceeded, and yet Lego delivers on all. I am extremely proud to have worked with this company and would return in a heartbeat were the circumstances right.
- Brick Specialist (Former Employee) - Paramus, NJ
- Started job and new not one thing about company. The owner was a great hard worker who had a vision no one could see or understand. He started this company from the bottom up. The perks are the best things and pay and benefits.
Pros: pay
Cons: Not a thing
- (Current Employee) - Rochester, NY
- Company is good, but direct teams are too tied to managers.
Pros: Company is great - beliefs, values, benefits, products.
Cons: The teams are too closely tied to the middle managers, sometimes to the point of micro-managing. There are too many middle managers. Not much room for growth unless you completely switch departments/branches with the group.
- Designer, Current employee, Billund
- Healthy work environment
Pros: Well balance working hours and overall healthy working environment. Realistic onboarding times and so much room to grow.
Cons: It’s very competitive getting your foot in the door but keep trying!
- Graphic designer, Billund
Exploring career options? Discover more job opportunities across different roles and experience levels.
Conclusion
Working as a Lego designer is a dream come true for many. It combines creativity, technical skill, and the opportunity to inspire millions worldwide. With the right education, portfolio, and experience, you can build a rewarding career with one of the most beloved toy companies in the world.
This article has been written by Mrinmoy Das. He works as a content writer at Vantage Lens. His areas of interests range from heavy metal to history. He has a passion for storytelling, and he crafts compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences.