Medieval Seaside Market

How do you find inspiration for your designs? What inspired this BDP set in particular?

My two main sources of inspiration are social media communities (mostly Instagram and Reddit) and my own imagination. Once I get the main idea for a MOC I usually search the “www” for pictures and information about it, looking for fun/historic elements to feature in the build. 

As for this BDP set, I think it’s a combination of elements I had in the back of my mind for a while. Firstly, I wanted this not to be ‘just another LEGO castle’ so it couldn’t be the usual square castle that hinges open. Also, back when I was a kid, LEGO released a lot of medieval boat/ship sets but we never got a big castle by the sea for them to dock at. Last but not least… I live in a city by the sea where the seaport plays an important role, so the idea spoke to me in that way too. 

What was the first set you ever built? Which one is your favorite? What is one set you would love to see being made?

The first set that I remember owning was “1630-1 Helicopter. ” But the ones that planted the Castle theme seed in my mind were “6034 Black Monarch’s Ghost” and “6030 Catapult. ” My all-time favorite set is definitely “6086 Black Knight’s Castle, ” even to this day. 

I’d love to see a small castle for the Wolfpack being made, or for any other faction. I think middle sized castles for different factions would be great. 

How would you describe your building style? Do you usually design sets within a certain theme?

I’m exclusively dedicated to the Castle theme, for now. I would say my designs are rooted in castle sets from the 80s and 90s but with a modern twist, using modern pieces. I try to make each part really count and to not overcomplicate the design for the sake of realism. I always keep an eye on playability and leave spots for minifigures to stand and pose. So, I try to keep them simple, modern, playable and displayable. 

How would you describe your role in the LEGO fan community?

I’m an AFOL who designs MOCs and shares instructions with the community. I like to encourage others to explore their own creativity through bricks as I also take inspiration from others. 

Have you been to any LEGO community events or conventions? If so, what were they like?

There are not a lot of LEGO events in my region to be honest! I attended the event called “LEGO Fun Fest” in my city in 2024. It was really fun, especially for the younger members of my family, but there were no activities for AFOLs. 

What do you think makes a BDP set successful?

That is THE question, right? I can only guess, but I think the model has to fill a gap in AFOLs displays, LEGO rooms, or even their imagination… that is not being fulfilled by the regular LEGO catalog or is an extension of their favorite LEGO sets. 

We have seen BDP sets with awesome levels of technique, even a completely new theme has risen in my opinion with the Mushroom House. I think the main strength of the Medieval Seaside Market is that it allows AFOLs to expand their castle world in a way that has not been done by LEGO sets. 

What advice would you give to the next set of hopeful BDP designers?

Don’t make it a point to find a winning design, enjoy the process. Design something your inner child would have only dreamt about. Let the community chime in and listen to their feedback but follow your hunches until you feel you have a keeper, only then submit it. 

If it doesn’t get picked, don’t rush to make modifications. Take a good look at the model, see which are its strengths and weaknesses, and remember to read the feedback in the comments. Once you have a clear idea of where you want the model to go next… then get to work again.