Is LEGO Promoting Illegal Building Techniques?

A new Tweet from The LEGO Group has Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) either closing their eyes or scratching their heads over a video that is possibly promoting illegal LEGO building techniques.

Earlier today, the official LEGO Twitter account Tweeted a video showcasing some amazing building techniques from Jeff Sanders aka @brickbending. These techniques show how LEGO bricks can bend, twist, flex, and create geometric shapes that were once thought to possibly be “illegal.” Take a look at the video below and see for yourself!

This is quite an amazing showcase, but is this evidence that The LEGO Group is allowing illegal building techniques?

What are Illegal LEGO Building Techniques?

Yes, there are LEGO techniques that are considered to be “illegal.” Although, there is not a true consensus on what these might be. As you can see, this Tweet has caused a lot of confusion!

There is not a lot of official guidance on illegal LEGO techniques, but we do have a couple of sources.

LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base

First, the LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base does provide us with a definition of “illegal techniques.” This is in response to a frequently asked question regarding submitting LEGO Ideas sets.

The question is: “Can I use ‘illegal’ LEGO building techniques?” The answer may surprise you!

Yes, unless stated otherwise in the specific contest rules, all building techniques are allowed and will not result in disqualification. Note: “illegal techniques” refers to the LEGO Group’s internal design rules for connecting elements together for stability and to avoid unnecessary stress. LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) only allows legal building techniques in Standard Mode.

– LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base

So, they are saying that all building techniques are allowed, including so called “illegal” ones!

And, we are also provided with a definition of what an illegal technique is! An illegal LEGO technique is one that causes unnecessary stress and instability on the elements. This is the generally accepted definition in the LEGO community.

Another interesting point they make here is that only legal building techniques are allowed in the LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) program. Of note, LDD is no longer supported by LEGO. Its replacement is BrickLink Studio, which also does not support illegal techniques.

Based on this data we can conclude that although illegal techniques technically might be allowed, they are likely frowned upon because they place unnecessary stress on the elements. Additionally, you wouldn’t be able to include them in the most popular LEGO build design software. So, best to avoid them.

An illegal LEGO technique is one that causes unnecessary stress and instability on the elements.

Now we have a working definition of an illegal LEGO building technique! But, what are some examples of illegal techniques? What do illegal builds look like?

Stressing the Elements

Some additional information on this topic comes from Brickmaster Jamie Berard. You may recognize him from the LEGO Masters TV series.

He wrote a presentation called “Stressing the Elements” which provides specific examples of illegal techniques. We encourage you to read through this entire presentation as it is extremely interesting.

Some notable examples of illegal techniques include:

• Not placing LEGO Technic pins in all the way.
• Inserting cones into the bottom of a brick.
• Wedging one brick in-between the studs of another brick.

Check out the presentation for many more!

Again, the theme here is not stressing out the LEGO elements too much. This would shorten the lifespan of the brick and potentially cause build failure. This is not the intended use of the pieces.

Is LEGO Promoting Illegal Building Techniques?

Based on the above analysis, we conclude that they are not by retweeting this video. However, one limitation is that we cannot tell exactly from the video what techniques are being used.

Notwithstanding, it does not appear that these techniques are placing unnecessary stress on the bricks. As you can see in the video, the bricks appear to flow nicely together. They are not falling apart or appear broken. The designs are visually attractive and are in geometrical shapes. And, The LEGO Group is supporting them!

We did Tweet a reply to The LEGO Group asking for clarification. We will keep you updated if they respond.

Do you consider these illegal building techniques? Let us know in the comments below.