The designer behind 10338 Bumblebee has revealed some of the challenges that had to be overcome when creating the LEGO Icons Transformer.
The second LEGO set based on the Transformers universe was recently released, with 10338 Bumblebee following hot on the heels of 2022’s 10302 Optimus Prime. The 950-piece recreation of the Cybertronian hero also continues the successful partnership between the LEGO Group and Hasbro, with a third potential model rumoured for 2025.
In a new interview with Brands Untapped, the designer behind 10338 Bumblebee has revealed his creative process regarding the LEGO Icons set and why the challenges faced when creating the brick-built character were more than meets the eye.
“It was a process unlike any other I’d worked with before,” explained LEGO Designer Samuel Johnson. “I had a well-made vehicle that a colleague built to the scale of the LEGO Icons Optimus Prime set, which we released in 2022. I decided to design the robot first and worry about how to get from A to B later!
"The original Transformers Bumblebee toy from the 1980s was a tiny little thing. I wanted the LEGO Bumblebee to be as grand as the LEGO Optimus Prime. I started by drawing the car on paper and figuring out how to slice and dice it to create the robot parts.
"Transitioning from that to building it with LEGO bricks was quite complicated, but worth it in the end. As you can imagine, building with LEGO bricks means being limited to a specific scale and set of elements. So I explored all available options for hinges and moving parts.
"Then I began developing transformation mechanisms. I even designed a new element concept to make the conversion possible, which features in the final set.”
However, the main hurdle Samuel faced was ensuring he’d done plenty of research in order to capture the Autobot’s unique look. “The biggest challenge was ensuring that both the vehicle and robot modes stayed true to the source material. I referenced my original toy and conducted extensive research into other Bumblebee-related products. I also watched a lot of cartoons – mostly for the joy of it!
"Bumblebee has a very distinct look – especially his head and face… I wanted to capture those perfectly. I also aimed for him to look great on display – cocky and ready for action. I really like the character of Bumblebee, and I hope that comes through in the final LEGO set.”
In addition to discussing 10338 Bumblebee, Samuel also talked about a number of LEGO Ideas models he’d previously worked on and how that process compared to his most recent LEGO Icons creation.
“I’ve loved seeing that theme grow. One of the biggest differences between building for a licensed product versus a non-licensed product is how things start out. Intellectual properties require some knowledge to execute a design. I like to watch the show or movie to understand the stories being told, and then I try to put myself in the shoes of the target audience.
"That’s because they may have specific needs and desires. When designing for a non-IP LEGO set, I feel the need to dive into the bricks and create what feels right. The target audience is still there, but the freedom to create opens up endless possibilities.”
10338 Bumblebee is available to purchase right now, priced at £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99. You can also check out our full review of the LEGO Icons set here.
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