Retrospective of my LEGO Technic works in 2024, including regular creations and commissioned projects, as well as personal thought.

Regular creations (nico71.fr and rebrickable.com)

• Motorized Turret for the Warthog (Free instructions)
• 42180 Model B – Space Garbage Truck (Alternate Model)
• Nissan Skyline KDR30 Super Silhouette (Manual+RC version)
• Vibroseis Truck – Sercel Nomad 65
• GBC Module – Cardan Lift (free instructions)
• 42100 Alternate Super Pack (3in1)
• Mobile Stage Trailer (free instructions)
• Honda CR-X Del Sol (JDM+USDM Version)
• Bilateral Letter Scale

Commissioned projects for particular and companies

• Electric Drilling RIG (1/43, 1m tall, 4398 pcs)
• Evaporative Condenser (1/15, 9572 pcs)
• Airbus Satellite (1/18, 2m wide, 4635 pcs)
• Rollback Tow Truck (alternate model, 1/20, 1474pcs)
• 6-DOF Robot Arm (WIP, 45cm tall)

What happened in 2024 ?

In 2024, I created 3 new models and released instructions for 5 older creations (3 of which are free), along with completing 5 commissioned projects (plus some under NDA). This result was lower than in 2023, primarily because of the extensive work required for each regular creations and the increased complexity of the commissioned builds. We will discuss about it in this article.

Regular Creations

Let’s begin with my biggest non-commissioned project : the Nissan KDR30 Super Silhouette. This model took many months to complete as I pushed to achieve the highest quality possible. The result is a model available in two versions—manual and RC—with full upgradeability between them without modifications. It features a complete sticker sheet and custom 3D-printed wheels for perfecting the look. Developing these elements, especially the upgradeable RC features and sticker sheet, was time-consuming, but the result represents the pinnacle of what I can achieve at this scale so I am very proud of the result It is in fact a model I want to keep built which is rare. While sales were decent considering the scale and parts cost, they didn’t fully reflect the development time invested. Still, the enthusiastic reception from the community was wonderful—thank you all for your feedback!

My second project was an alternate model of the interesting 42180 Space Vehicle. As soon as I get it, I plan to create a model with unusual functions like sliding steering, front grabber, and a winch slider, making it even more playable than the original set to my opinion. Sales were rather low due to limited set ownership, but like my 42127 Batmobile alternate model, I expect sales to improve over time.

The final notable model was the bilateral letter scale. As a fan of antique mechanical machines, I had long wanted to build a scale. I completed it at year’s end, timing the kit’s release on Buildamoc for Christmas. While the initial design came together quickly, fine-tuning took considerable time-reducing friction, ensuring accurate measurements, and designing the stickers required careful attention to detail. Though it’s too early to judge its commercial success given its niche appeal, I’m proud of it, both aesthetics and functionality.

The others creations were old creations, done for commissions or without instructions. Indeed, over the past 15 years, I’ve accumulated many interesting builds without instructions and so I decided to create instructions for models that deserved renewed attention. This year’s releases included the Sercel Nomad, a GBC module, the Honda CRX Del Sol, and folding stage trailer. Some are with free instructions. This allowed me to fulfill frequent requests for models like the folding stage trailer and motorized turret for the Halo Warthog. It is made in parallel with my other activities but I think it worth it to not lose these creations, even if they are old.

Commissioned Projects

Regarding commissioned projects, I completed 5 in 2024—fewer than in 2023 but significantly larger in scope and development time.

The Airbus OneSat Satellite, measuring 2 meters wide with 4,400 pieces, is an impressive office display model. The Evaporative Condenser, a field I know well now with multiple Buildamoc collaborations, contains 9,572 pieces, aim to be display at exhibitions. I created an Electric Drilling RIG for a French client, 1-meter-tall, 4,400-piece functional model demonstrating electric drilling operations through motorized manipulators and low-noise drilling actuators. The next project was more modest : a 1/20 scale Roll Back Truck (an alternate version of another creation that I will talk more about in 2025). The last one was a complex one : a 6-DOF robot arm with Control+ motors. The robot arm has required multiple iterations to overcome LEGO parts’s inherent limitations in weight, structure, motor torque and speed so it is not finished yet.

As you can see, most commissioned projects were large-scale builds, leading to extended development times. Combined with complex regular projects like the Nissan and Letter Scale, this explains the lower number of creations this year. If you are interested by commissioned projects, you can see the design service page.

I also worked on my Rebrickable account, by updating all descriptions with clear presentations and GIFs (I have started in 2023 but not finished), while expanding the LesDIY catalog with new items—which sometimes required creating new parts lists and instructions to accommodate Chinese parts.

Personal thought

On a personal note, as you may know, I got married in 2023. In 2024, we searched for and found our house ! The renovations required significant time and energy but my LEGO office is now installed so it worth the invested time.

I also took a month off to rest following health problems. I think I needed it because since then things have been better and I can say that the future seems brighter on this point.

This was my first experience with taking extended time off, which made me think on the future of my LEGO activities, since everything depends solely on me. The situation is especially concerning given the global decline in LEGO-related revenues following Covid, the war in Ukraine, and political events in France. Instructions sales have been steadily decreasing throughout the year, which poses a significant challenge for creators who rely exclusively on them (you can see this interesting topic on EB).

Fortunately, this isn’t my situation, as I’ve diversified my LEGO activities through commissions, royalties, instructions, and side projects—without this diversification, Nico71 wouldn’t have survived.

This reminds us that everything can collapse quickly, and despite our best efforts, some things remain beyond our control. More work doesn’t necessarily translate to better sales or reception. Sometimes the reality is more brutal : additional effort yields nothing but wasted time and frustration, no matter if you are solo or with a team. Therefore, pursuing constant growth isn’t always the right path.

Creating art(work) that doesn’t find its audience is always difficult, but it’s an inherent part of being an artist. The key is using this experience to know what do to next.

The endless race for more or better creations, more content, increased social media presence has become somewhat stifling and exhausting. Instead, I prefer to focus on what truly motivates and inspires me, rather than following fleeting trends. In 10 years, I want to be proud of my creations, their concept and their purpose. I want to be more an artist rather than a marketing specialist—doing less but doing it better, preserving what I love and who I love.

What to remember from this year? Two things, firstly that every year I learn something about myself, about my activities, about life. Secondly and more importantly : thank you all for for being here ! As usual, without you, this would not have been possible ! 🙂