Every now and then, a set comes along that makes you remember the past and makes you realise how many things have changed in the world of LEGO sets. The new 40955 Maersk Dual-Fuel Container Vessel is one of those sets, so let’s take a closer look at where it all started and how the new set shapes up. Container ship “Ane Maersk”, the first ship of the new dual-fuel class. A History of Blue The partnership between two of Denmark’s biggest companies dates back to 1974. The year before LEGO had started a line of floating ships (that I’ve written about before), and a Maersk container ship was a perfect fit for the next one. Set 1650 was produced as a promotional set for employees and partners of Maersk. The company has its own trademarked shade of blue, and ABS pellets were produced in that specific colour (read all about...

Today’s guest article comes from Rylie Howerter, one of the LEGO fan community’s foremost color and materials enthusiasts. Her color guide is one of our go-to LEGO references here at BrickNerd, and you can follow her on Flickr, Instagram and Patreon. A Plethora of Plastics Back in 2022, I wrote an overview of the materials that LEGO uses in their products. Though I’m not a materials expert by any means, I do enjoy researching and discussing LEGO minutiae, and in the years since that article was published, I have found a few more historic sources for materials used, made some corrections, and been pointed towards other resources by like-minded fans. What follows is an expanded/revised version of that original article, with additional materials and the same disclaimers: this will never be an all-encompassing list; it is simplified; and I’m sure there are still things I’ve gotten wrong. But like my color...

There’s something special about original LEGO themes and the way they can build a shared narrative while still roaming freely through the vast potential of the LEGO brick. You never know what’s coming next for an in-house theme. Over the years, LEGO Friends has established itself as a perennial and increasingly polished original theme, and arguably the most versatile of all. City and Ninjago, to cite the other prime examples, generally tie each wave cohesively to one single subtheme, with maybe a couple of outliers, but the variety in this year’s wave of Friends sets is off the charts. We’ve got everything from mobile pet vans to indoor playgrounds to residential housing. Another way Friends stands out is its innovative use of color. Many colors have debuted in the Friends theme, and Friends sets consistently prefer newer shades to the basic red, blue, yellow, and green that were (with white) LEGO’s...

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the AFOL scene at all over the last decade, chances are you’ve encountered the work of Jerac. I’ve been following Jerac for a number of years and have found myself increasingly invested in his MOCing journey. His builds frequently feel fresh and unique with artistic themes that truly resonate with the viewer, and when he released his “Abstract Thoughts” series of builds last year, I just knew I had to reach out and learn more about the mind behind the MOCs. He was kind enough to chat and answer some questions for me, as well as share some exclusive behind-the-scenes photos demonstrating his design process! Read on to learn more about one of the boldest voices in the MOCing scene right now. Getting to Know Jerac Caleb: Hey Jerac! It’s an honor to talk to you on behalf of BrickNerd. Can you introduce yourself...

A new month is here, which means more competitive building! March right on, there’s plenty on offer in our latest lineup of LEGO contests and challenges from across the AFOL community. March 2026 has a bit of everything to offer – and there’s nothing quite like a theme or a prompt to nudge you out of your comfort zone and push you to experiment building in ways you might not otherwise attempt. We’ve listed them in order of deadline so you can plan your building time wisely—especially in a month that always seems to fly by. Be sure to check the LEGO activity calendar for local challenges and events near you. Some of our fondest memories, proudest builds, coolest trophies, and strongest friendships started with a contest entry, so we hope you’ll jump in and give one (or two) a try. The AdoraBuild The AdoraBuild, the ultimate LEGO celebration of all things...

Are you ready to explore a world where cuteness is currency and every LEGO MOC is an ode to the adorable, where you just want to hug everything? Then it’s time to get building, because The AdoraBuild is back! Our celebration of all things cute and cuddly returns after an incredibly fun debut two years ago that brought out some of the most wonderfully charming creations from the community. Once again, we’re challenging you to bring your most heart-melting ideas to life. The AdoraBuild is your chance to lean fully into joy, whimsy, and creativity and share a build that makes people smile the moment they see it. Consider this your official permission to build something so cute you wanna die! What Makes Something Adorable? The AdoraBuild isn’t just a LEGO contest; it’s a journey into the whimsical, the endearing, and the outright precious. From fluffy creatures to heart-melting scenes, your...

Formula 1 returns this weekend and LEGO has officially announced two new LEGO Editions Helmet sets for team Scuderia Ferrari. Both sets will be available on May 1 but you can pre-order them today on the LEGO Shop. Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc Helmet (43014) – 886 pieces/$89.99/Pre-order Ignite imaginations and create awesome Formula 1® merchandise with the LEGO® Editions Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc Helmet (43014) building set for teens and F1® fans ages 14 and up. Vehicle enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the racing action as they craft a highly detailed F1® replica helmet from LEGO bricks. It comes in Ferrari’s famous Rosso Corsa (racing red) and features printed graphic details, such as Charles’ driver number and other personal printed details. It also includes a Charles Leclerc minifigure and a branded plaque featuring his signature. Once fans have crossed the finish line, they can display the LEGO helmet proudly...

LEGO has revealed a new LEGO Botanicals gift with purchase set with the Floral Picture Frame (40916). It has 310 pieces and it features a picture frame with various plants at the base. There’s no details yet on when it’ll be available or the price requirement to get it. Create a floral photo frame with the LEGO® Botanicals Floral Picture Frame (40916) building set for kids ages 9 and up. Girls and boys will have lots of fun building the flower picture frame, which is decorated with a LEGO daisy, rose, cineraria, delphinium, pussy willow and camellia, before using it to frame their favorite photo. A gorgeous piece of flower decor that can be placed vertically or horizontally, it makes a fun gift for kids and photographers. Set contains 310 pieces. The post LEGO Floral Picture Frame (40916) GWP Revealed appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal author: Allen "Tormentalous"...

LEGO has announced that they have launched a dedicated page for LEGO Mini Build instructions. A lot of the instructions are for generic items while some are for certain themes like DREAMZzz, Ninjago, and City. There are also instructions for a few previous Make & Take events but not for all of them. The page does say that they will regularly update with more Mini Build instructions. The post LEGO Launches Mini Build Instructions Page appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal author: Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

I joined Flickr in 2011 when I was 34 years old. A small midlife crisis was beginning to creep up on me. and I had been secretly looking at LEGO MOCs online for a couple of years. I still hadn’t accepted/realized that I was an AFOL and that LEGO was the creative outlet I needed in my life. Discovering the MOCs of Pierre E Fieschi was actually one of the turning points. I saw his spaceships and rovers and I just thought to myself, “I NEED to do this!” I felt that I had to learn how LEGO works and start creating awesome stuff like him. 12 years later, I’m still learning but I have Pierre to thank for tipping me over the edge. I often return to his designs and try to analyze what makes them so good. View fullsize View fullsize Joining BrickNerd as a contributor gave me an...