#002 Inspired by Competition

Note From the Author

This post took far longer to write than I had originally planned. I wanted to cover as much of the basics on competitions as possible from the perspectives and participation levels of WMLUG. This post also includes a lot more information than was included in the original post and was my own exercise over several months of “creativity vs. limits” I hope you enjoy this long awaited second post from WMLUG. – Andrew Pruim, MA, WMLUG Web Admin

Creativity vs. Limits

People often talk about creativity vs limits. Here at WMLUG we see creativity and limits working together to fuel focus and execution!

Participating in challenges can be a great way to find inspiration, explore new parts usage, and become a better LEGO® builder. There is no limit to the different LEGO® competitions hosted by the community. It’s one of the things that makes being part of the LEGO® community so great. In this post we explore just a few of the competition types that WMLUG members have participated in or hosted themselves.

Seed Part Challenges

Seed Part challenges ask builders to use a specific part or set of parts in their build. Because seed parts are relatively easy to host and participate in regardless of your collections size many LUGs (LEGO® User Groups) have their own variations.

Here at WMLUG we host a seed part challenge for our members almost every month. One of our creative constraints is working to choose parts that a majority of our members own or can easily get their hands on. Periodically we open our monthly challenges up to the public so that you can participate with us! Keep an eye on our Instagram page @wmlug for regular winner updates and opportunities to try seed parts challenges for yourself.

Nice Part Usage

Want to be in the know about how to give a builder an “insider” compliment? Try using, “Great NPU!”. NPU stands for Nice Parts Usage. This compliment lets other LEGO® builders know you like their build and see them using a LEGO® element in a unique, unexpected, or unintended way! NPU is what seed part challenges are all about. How can you use the piece in a new or unexpected way?

Seed Part Challenges at Public Events

WMLUG also hosts seed part challenges at many of our public events. We bring the seed part and the play brick. It is an easy way for people to get a first taste of the limits and creativity involved in a seed part build! Check out these builds from some of our events:

Are you a venue interested in having us host a seed part challenge in you space? Get in touch!

Minifig Habitats

What Are Minifig Habitats?

“Habitats are the haiku of LEGO building: easy to dismiss, but you can fit worlds inside its small structure.” – Josh P. for BrickNerd

Minifig Habitats are small environments built to showcase a LEGO® “person” commonly known in the community as a minifig. It’s a great way to explore new themes with only a few parts and is open to anyone with some basic bricks.

Habitat of Habitats from @brickfambuilds

@habitatchallenge hosts contests year-round. It is a great way to get involved with the LEGO® community, meet other builders and maybe even win prizes! Past themes have included builds focused on holidays, pride month, personal expression, and the passing seasons. We recommend checking out @habitatchallenge even if you don’t plan to build. Seeing the community come together around a theme can be its own kind of inspiration.

Minifig Habitats don’t have to be built only for challenges. Many members of the LEGO® community build Minifig Habitats as an art form. Minifig Habitats can stack, and stack and stack. Keep them related by theme or let your imagination run wild.

More resources for exploring Minifig Habitats:

BrickNerd wrote a great article in 2024 that dives deep on Minifig Habitats
Tips&Bricks #1974 Technique Discussion: Habitats
@habitatchallenges is the current home of community!

How to Build a Minifig Habitat:

Begin with an 8×8 Stud Base

Start with an 8×8 plate base or…
(2) 4×8 plates or
(4) 2×8 plates or…
Any other combination you can come up with!
The walls and floor tiling will help hold it together.

Add First Wall Section

Now build the back walls four brick rows high. Lead with the left wall and make sure it hangs over the floor plate by one stud. The brick rows can be made up of any brick size configuration you can make work within the confines of the space.

Add Second Wall Section

Starting at row five the one stud overhang switches to the right side, leaving a stud exposed on the left side. Build the habitat walls four more brick rows high, for a total of 8 brick rows tall.

Add Stacking Elements

Finish the habitat shell by adding a 1×1 plate on each end,
a 1×2 plate in the corner, and (2) 1×6 tiles in between. These help habitats stack onto each other to create a habitat stack.

Add Your Minifig and Decorate!

Now decorate your awesome habitat! Use tiles to cover the floor (tiles with studs help pose minifigures) and swap out standard wall bricks to those with studs, hooks, etc… so you can hang decorations. The details are up to you!

Let’s Talk Minifig Habitats with @brickfambuilds!

WMLUG: How do you get started on a new minifig habitat?

Brickfambuilds: I see a LEGO habitat as an 8×8 stud plate-based vignette that serves as a home for a LEGO minifigure. Habitats are storytelling platform. Before you build consider what story you want to tell with your minifigure. What will the minifigure be doing?

WMLUG: Ok, I’ve got some action in mind. How do I communicate that to viewers of my MOC?

Brickfambuilds: The minifigures accessories can help guide you. Also consider what colors compliment or contrast with the minifigure. What other accessories will you need to tell your story?

WMLUG: Why did you choose to start building minifig habitats?

Brickfambilds: Habitats are where it’s at! I often joke they’re the gateway to bigger MOCs. I’ve hosted/participated in annual habitat challenges for over five years now, starting during the pandemic, and I highly recommend them to anyone new to MOCing. The 8×8 stud base by 8 bricks tall format is simple, approachable, and packed with creative potential.

WMLUG: What keeps you building habitats now that you are an established member of the LEGO® community?

Brickfambuilds: What I love most—and why I keep hosting/participating in—is how these challenges spark creativity and bring builders of all skill levels together. It’s amazing to see people step out of their comfort zones, whether it’s tackling a new theme, working at a smaller scale, or sharing a MOC for the first time.

WMLUG: We know community is a big deal to you. How have you seen this community grow?

Brickfambuilds: The community aspect is just as rewarding. Every challenge becomes a chance to learn, grow, and acquire new building techniques. Watching participants gain confidence and improve with each build has been incredibly inspiring—I’ve personally learned a ton from others along the way.

Object Challenges

Sometimes the constraints of a LEGO® community challenge are not a specific piece or environmental structure. Instead of narrowing the parts usage or scale, builders are given a prompt and build to meet it.

WMLUG member @amorphousbricks recently hosted an axe building challenge. The only constraints on what axes you could build was your imagination and a rough approximation to “minifig scale”. Check out a few of the entries below and see even more on @amorphousbricks instagram page!