BrickLink Designer Program (BDP) Series 5 Finalists

The 5 finalists have been announced with some familiar designers amongst them, including the designer of the large castle fortress in series 1.

These builds all look pretty good to me, and they have again included a range of large, medium and small builds.

Lets cut to the chase and have a brief look at each finalist:

‘The Thieves of Tortuga’, by Krackenator

3,998 parts

 This is pirates living in a seaside town. There are 6 small buildings lined up along the 79cm long shoreline, these are basically the facade of the town that you encounter upon arriving in the harbour. There is a river splitting the scene in half, with an arched bridge spanning the gap.

 There are a lot of interesting details in this set bringing it to life; there’s a tipping bucket of water, bullet holes around a target on a wall, a loot house full of gold, the cobblestone street, crates and boxes in numerous corners, bendy coconut trees, two wooden docks, a well, and animals throughout the setting.

 This one is probably my personal favourite of these finalists because of the character the designer has brought to the build.

‘Mushroom Village’, by JonasKramm

2,427 parts

 Series 2 sellout ‘Mushroom House’ has its matching set here, which will expand the Forest Elves realm (what the designer has called the ‘Tiny World of Wonders’). A ladybug will transport the elves around in this scene, with two mushroom houses, a hollow stump, and underground rooms as the dwellings/structures.

 There is a working flower mill which can be turned by using a crank at the rear, and this build has all the makings of a brilliant fantasy play-set, especially if combined with the designer’s previous set (if you managed to get your hands on one).

 There is a lot more going on in this design, which is cool in terms of the detail included, but I think takes away from the overall looks in some respects. But of course, as with any LEGO set you can always make your own adjustments according to preference.

‘Antique Shop’, by ThatOneGuySteve

1,912 parts

 As the title suggests, it is a shop full of antiques. This build was entered into BDP series 4, but the designer has listed updates (or renovations) to their design this time around… a good move seeing it got this neat little building in amongst the finalists.

 A complete structure means the access is via the removal of the roof for the upstairs living quarters, and removal of the first floor to get to the main shop. Inside the store you will discover many interesting items including a record player, sewing machine, grandfather clock, chess set, a TV, and much more.

 The design is completed with a tree beside the house, and by the shopkeeper’s pickup truck and a family of visitors.

‘Adventure in Transylvania’, by SleeplessNight

4,000parts

 This is by the designer of the finalist builds ‘Mountain Fortress’ (series 1) and 'Siege Encampment’ (series 4) and I believe is the first designer to have 3 builds make the finals throughout the BDP so far. This time the designer has given us a story of travellers who, due to a broken down train, make a stop at this apparently abandoned castle in Transylvania.

 This is a much different style of castle to his series 1 build, but it has the same hinged feature that allows the structure to be either totally enclosed by its walls when closed, or giving access to all the rooms at the back and creating a wider facade when opened.

 Both the Gothic style structure and it dark colours, along with the Autumn foliage around it, are what gives this set its eerie yet satisfying appeal.

 This set has 13 minifigures, most of which are the visiting travellers or guides, and a vampire that inhabits the castle. 

‘Popcorn Wagon’, by Mictur

577 parts

 The smallest of the finalists is an antique-looking wagon, which has been designed to fit into any city scene, playground, or amusement park, adding to what you already have setup in your home. It is also a cute display piece on its own, of course, with the cobbled pavement, a streetlamp and small garden. 

 The wagon is packed with more than the popcorn that it is selling as well. There is a steam engine inside which powers the machine, and turning a small knob on the front of the wagon ‘pops’ the popcorn apparently.

 Being the smallest will also make it the most affordable, so it could well sell out like the ‘Snack Shack’ of series 1 did.