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Age: 54
Country: USA (Minneapolis, MN)
Your hobbies: Along with LEGO, I love movies, books and playing with my family!
Brickshelf Folder:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=avmckee
When did you start building?
I was a late bloomer! I began building with LEGO when I was about 47! Someone gave me a small promotional package as a joke, and I thought that since I had a 1-year-old girl at the time, it would be great if I learned a bit about these brightly colored bricks so I could promote them as an alternative to typical girl toys. And now, hundreds of thousands of bricks later, I am hooked…incredibly hooked! My daughter, who is now 8, still loves building right next to me.
When I was young in the 50s, I was not really aware of LEGO; I played with Lincoln Logs and trucks, occasionally joining in with male friends to discover more about Erector sets, etc. Along side my father at his tool bench I spent a lot of time learning about fixing things and making gadgets. He also had a taste for working with miniatures which I think influenced my building of small MOCs.
Why are you an AFOL?
I am an AFOL (and now, I guess, an AFFOL) because I love the precision of building with LEGO and the sensation of the bricks as they lock onto each other. It’s fantastic to create something for someone else and have them enjoy the details as much as I do. To begin with one brick and end up with a whole new structure is a rush!
How many hours do you spend building with LEGO?
Before I had hand surgery this spring, I would try to build a couple of hours a week. If I am working on a MOC as a gift for someone, I work more hours to hit that deadline and keep track of the hours it takes to make it.
What are your favorite building themes (both what LEGO produce and what you like to build yourself?)
Theme sets like City, Batman, Harry Potter and Creator provide me with what I need for MOCs. I tend to buy sets for parts rather than themes because I create smaller versions of actual things like rooms, cubicles, scenes or household items. In my office I display an actual-sized LEGO stapler and tape dispenser (they look so real that I have to keep people from using them).
What do you like most about LEGO and their products?
In my current profession as a Continuous Improvement Manager, I expect quality in all aspects of our business. LEGO consistently incorporates quality…in their product and service. Only having discovered a few misshapen bricks in my time has greatly impressed me! I also value the education that occurs when my daughter learns to follow step-by-step instructions for building LEGO sets.
Five parts you would love LEGO to produce:
Being that I enjoy building MOCs of everyday/household items, I would like to see:
1) an instruction booklet holder (I occasionally use the “Duplo Plate
4×4 Cross-shaped with slot for cardboard” piece – #42058 )
2) more female minifigs with diverse accessories (hair, hats, tools, skirts, dresses)
3) business and household objects (office supplies, appliances, decorated tiles)
4) more landscaping/outdoor pieces (logs, trees without leaves, grills, sports items)
5) more animals and creatures (real or imaginary)
What is it like to be as a female in the AFOL world, which is dominated mostly by men?
I don’t mind being a minority; I know that females bring a unique perspective to the LEGO world. However, it is very cool to
commiserate with other females and get a glimpse of what their imagination builds.
What would you suggest to LEGO to make their products more popular for girls?
Appealing to females is not difficult if one really does the research. Not all of us like pink or frilly things. We do not
always want sets with walls already made or need our minifigs to go shopping. My daughter was disappointed when we bought the “City Passenger Plane” set and it came with a male pilot. I’m sure many females would enjoy building sets or MOCs related to school, movies, careers, fantasy, etc. Belville sets were a good start.
Is LEGO doing enough to promote their products towards girls?
Not enough. Maybe when more females enter the corporate LEGO world, it will change.
What would you like to see from LEGO in the future in relation to girls?
Would definitely like to see more movie-related sets. There are all types of movies that capture girls’ imaginations: The Wizard of OZ, Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia (a big one!), and Bridge to Terabithia, to name a few. Wouldn’t have to be separate sets, but could be Creator sets with items suggestive of these cinema themes.
Any other comments you would like to share?
Like a brick…plain and simple…the kid in me loves playing with LEGO and unless this kid grows too old, I’ll still be playin’ years from now. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of BrickJournal!
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