Welcome Bonven: the LEGO mini-fig designer!

[/\/\att]

Its my pleasure to welcome Chriss Bonven Johansen to our forum and fan community. Chriss (username: Bonven) is the designer for the Batman LEGO mini-figures! He's a huge Bat-fan himself, and is here to interact with you all.

Lets give Bonven a big LoG welcome! Thanks to Chriss for being here with us all

[bonven]

And thanks for having me, I read Matts Blog via Euro-bricks and thought that this was the right place for me (and maybe I can sell a couple of boxes this way, Muwahaha...)

Anyway, I live in Denmark and have worked for Lego for the last 8 years as a graphical designer. Which means that i do both Decals and stickers.

My favorite part of the job is to make Mini-figures. The themes that i have done figs for are; Studios Monsters, Spider-man, World City/City, Exoforce and Batman.

I'm a huge Batman fan myself, like the movies and cartoons (except the Schumacher-crap) collect the toys (actually a fan of the C3 stuff) and love the comics (favorites; Killing Joke and Dark Knight returns)

Finally doing Batman for Lego is a dream come true for me, it's so right for the Lego universe. The problem with superheroes are that they really don't need any vechicles, so you just end up doing buildings. Batman is all about cool vechicles and gadgets (and colourful Villains)

Anyway, enough about me. Hit me with your questions! I'll try to answer as much as I'm allowed to (but i don't wanna give to much away....)

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Welcome Bonven, it's FANTASTIC to have you posting here! I am a huge minifig (and Lego, of course) fan. Could you tell us which minifigs, from each of the themes you mentioned, are your designs? There are some non Batman questions I'd like to ask.

Could you describe the process by which a minifig gets designed?

Now that Lego is producing many more label sheets for the actual models would they consider mini fig stickers which could be used to transform blank torsos and heads into customized figs? Here's an example of what I'd love to see more of:

www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1569190

In the Studio Monsters line, how difficult was it to get TLC to approve the blood on the vampire's fangs (and hankerchief too, I believe)?

What is the criteria for the creation of a 2 sided mini fig and for paint apps on the legs (ex. Green Goblin and the Studios Mummy are two of the most detailed mini figs ever!) ?

For Exo Force, which came first the minifig designs or the more "human" looking characters featured on the web site (IMO, the minifigs are MUCH cooler!) Also, is the orange on Hikaru's face meant to be a mask?

Okay, maybe one Batman question, are the Batman figs in all the sets going to be the same (like the Spiderman figs) or will we see costume and facial expression variations? Any chance of a Blue and Grey Batman with the yellow oval?

This last one isn't a design question but one that I always wanted to ask someone who works directly w/ minifigs: Are the arms meant to be separated from the torso and are the legs meant to be removed from their posts and will doing so damage the fig?

Thanks again for joining us here.

[bonven]

Whoa, a lot of good questions, i'll do my best to answer
them all.

Could you tell us which minifigs, from each of the themes you mentioned, are your designs?
I did them all. I had a blast during the Monsters line, 'cause I'm a huge fan of old horror movies as well.

Could you describe the process by which a minifig gets designed?
It'll be the "short" answer: First i try to figure out what parts should be in which color and put a figure together (usually in the computer, but also with bricks)
Then I draw the face and torso in the computer using a vector based program called Adobe Illustrator. These files get send to our production who makes testprints on the bricks. I get these back, assemble the figures and show them to the Design and Marketing lead, who then hopefully approves them. If it's a license (like Batman) you have get it approved by the License holder. And thats that.

Now that Lego is producing many more label sheets for the actual models would they consider mini fig stickers which could be used to transform blank torsos and heads into customized figs?
That's a bit of a touchy subject, some like stickers and others hate them. Hopefully you'll never see stickers on a mini figure face, the area is to small to apply anything on. We have been using some stickers on the torso, but only in cases where the only difference would be changing numbers on a sports team. It's a good idea, but the figure is such an essential part of the box, so i always try to keep it at a minimum.

In the Studio Monsters line, how difficult was it to get TLC to approve the blood on the vampire's fangs (and hankerchief too, I believe)?
To be honest, I sorta never told any one. So it just got through....

What is the criteria for the creation of a 2 sided mini fig and for paint apps on the legs
Can we afford to have them in the model? Each model have a budget for bricks, and printed bricks are a little more expensive than a non painted one. Sometimes a printed brick is scrapped for 2 none printed ones.

For Exo Force, which came first the minifig designs or the more "human" looking characters featured on the web site (IMO, the minifigs are MUCH cooler!) Also, is the orange on Hikaru's face meant to be a mask?
Actually the mini figures came first, so I'm glad you like 'em! And I like to think of the orange on Hikaro's face as sniper glasses.

Okay, maybe one Batman question, are the Batman figs in all the sets going to be the same (like the Spiderman figs) or will we see costume and facial expression variations? Any chance of a Blue and Grey Batman with the yellow oval?
There will be more than one Batman mini-figure.

Are the arms meant to be separated from the torso and are the legs meant to be removed from their posts and will doing so damage the fig?
They're not, because there's some wear and tear. But you can do it a couple of times without any major problems. and I get paid to do that every day!

I hope that answers some of yours questions.

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Thank you. That was great! I have to say that I really love your work. BTW, I forgot to mention that you did a great job with the "It" (I think that was the official name Lego gave to the monster in the scary lab set )figure. Any chance that you'd be able to share some of the designs that didn't make the lines, or preliminary designs? One last question (for now, lol) which past or present themes would you have liked to have worked on and did you work on any of the Alpha Team minifigs?

[shadow]

Welcome Bonven and thank you for taking the time. I cant wait to see the different lego sets and most of all mini figs. I am hoping for the classic black and gray batman mini fig but what I was most looking forward to was batman begins movie figures and vehicles. can you comment if and when we would/could see Begins movie figures and the ultimate batmobile, the Tumbler?

[Batlaw]

Welcome aboard Bonven!! yup, This is indeed the place!

[TheJoker]

Welcome Bonven!
I loved the spideman minifigs and minifigs in general.
Heres my question:

How do they choose which minifigures to use in a set?
Like Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman-2 Subway set. It kinda made no sense to me...

And how can we get minifigs like the Ventrilquest that has to have Scarface?

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Bonven, now that the minifig pics have been made public I think congratulations are in order. You did a fantastic job! I like your choice of hair for the Joker (slicked back, sorta 1960s style) and good call using the Exo Force hair on Nightwing the shorter (Ewok) legs for Penguin. I hero you once again!

[TheJoker]

Love the new mini figs!
But I have another question. Will there be a chance extra heads can be purchased with like maybe a printed on hair for joker so that he can wear a hat and still look good. The riddler ir really missing somthing without his hat. And does Mr. Freeze have his backpack? Seems like theres something...

And props to the guy who gave two-face his tommy guns!

[reideen1313]

Welcome to LOG!

[reideen1313]

thejoker said:

And props to the guy who gave two-face his tommy guns!

These are the first actual guns from LEGO. In the past, they've done the 'mega phone' type of gun but that's about as far as they went. When I was there in CT, seeing all the Batarangs and tommy guns was very cool!

Again - with this line, it all comes back to the little details. That will become more apparent as better pics of the sets become available. I really feel like the LEGO team nailed many of the most important aspects of the Bat-verse and I have confidence that there's more to come.

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Reid, I believe these are the third type of gun Lego has made (not counting the musket types in the Pirate line). Lego has also done six shooters (last seen, as far as I know, as Jango Fett's guns in the Slave 1 set) from their Western theme. This theme also featured rifles. I think Lego's policy had been that they would only make weapons which originated prior to the 20th century. I agree with you Reid, the attention to detail is great!

[TheJoker]

And I also remember a rifle type gun as well.

[Casimir]

Just wanted to say Welcome Bonven! And thanks for the forthcoming answers, especially about the creation process. It's always nice to be reminded of the human element behind the little plastic men.

C.

[gotham95]

Welcome to LOG, Bonven! I must say that you've done an outstanding job on the Batman Mini-Figures. It's been awhile since I've looked forward to a toy line as I am this one.

[reideen1313]

thejoker said:

And I also remember a rifle type gun as well.

Those were from the adventure sets IIRC - these are a bit more updated.

[bonven]

Yikes all those questions, i better start logging in to this site when you're awake, instead of sleeping (then i might get a chance to read more of this site, I'm really impressed with the content)

Once again thanks for your kind words, I'm happy you like the figures. coming from Batfans, it really means a lot to me.

On with the questions and forgive me if i forget some.

One last question (for now, lol) which past or present themes would you have liked to have worked on and did you work on any of the Alpha Team minifigs?
Classic Space and Castle, some of my all time Lego favorites ( and get this; the guy who designed the Space gun, that we use for mr. Freeze, still works at Lego) I didn't have anything to do with Alpha Team

I was most looking forward to was batman begins movie figures and vehicles. can you comment if and when we would/could see Begins movie figures and the ultimate batmobile, the Tumbler?
Actually we have the License to do Batman begins, but decided not to for 2 reasons: The sets would have been out 1 year after the movie. and then we could only have made the Scarecrow and Rahs Al Ghul as villains (and then there would be no Joker!). But the Tumbler is on our "to do" list.

How do they choose which minifigures to use in a set?
Like Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman-2 Subway set. It kinda made no sense to me...
We had the money for an extra figure in that set, And ya gotta have JJJ!

And how can we get minifigs like the Ventrilquest that has to have Scarface?
We still have to crack that one. For the figure assortment, we had a brainstorm with DC and they gave us some suggestions for the figures that they would like us to do. I know one that you all miss is Harley Q and so do I, problem was that we had a limited number of new bricks to use for this theme, so we chose for the characters you see. But Harley is on the number one spot on our "to do" list.

But I have another question. Will there be a chance extra heads can be purchased with like maybe a printed on hair for joker so that he can wear a hat and still look good. The riddler ir really missing somthing without his hat. And does Mr. Freeze have his backpack? Seems like theres something...
We don't have anything like that planned, but it's good suggestion. For a Joker hat, you can always take Johnny Thunders and paint it purple. Mr. Freeze does have a backpack with a clear tube.

As for the guns, it's the first guns we made in over 10 years. and the pictures doesn't show you all the gear that we are including in the sets. Here's a list to get you drooling:

2 different batarangs, 1 small handgun, 1 tommygun and a pair of handcuffs.

More, more, more

[bonven]

Almost forgot:

BTW, I forgot to mention that you did a great job with the "It" (I think that was the official name Lego gave to the monster in the scary lab set )figure. Any chance that you'd be able to share some of the designs that didn't make the lines, or preliminary designs?

Thanks again. Most of the figures turned out with very little differences from the original design, but there are some with bigger differences.


Changed the color, and the hooks were supposed to be claws, didn't work.


again color changed, and notice what we call the vampire hairpiece.


Made him less gorier, gears instead of brains. removed pants from upper body, made him look like a old monster. Changed the clamps into a zipper, 'cause it made everybody who saw it laugh like crazy.
And we couldn't use the 1x1 plate under his feet, 'cause if you placed the figure on a bigger plate the would stick on the plate when you moved the figure again.

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Bonven, You have made this Lego fan very happy ! BTW, I prefer your green/brown combo for the werewolf to the one produced, but the torn shirt torso was still great! Funny how the vampire blood was allowed, but the brain was too gory, especially since we got a brain on a translucent head piece in the same set, lol.
Just curious, who names the mini figs, is it the designers or some one in marketing? And how does Lego decide whether or not to give official names to the minifigs? For example, why did they choose not to name the Vikings? I can't say it enough, it's great to have you here. Also, I would think the TLC wouldn't be too adverse to a Harley head piece since the mold could then be reused in castle themes for a jester (c'mon the New KIng Jayko needs a jester).

[bonven]

I prefer your green/brown combo for the werewolf to the one produced, but the torn shirt torso was still great! Funny how the vampire blood was allowed, but the brain was too gory, especially since we got a brain on a translucent head piece in the same set, lol.
Hmm, I'm rather happy with the final Werewolf, you have to remember that a wolf is grey, not brown. a lot of people thought the brown one was a Bear (mostly marketing people...)
As for the brain, i was able to convince the powers that be that a brain out of the head is less disgusting than one in...LOL

it's usually marketing who gives names to the figures, but some of the times they don't bother (Vikings and City, for instance), but you'll notice that the monsters in Vikings all have names.

My thoughts exactly on Harleys headpiece, it's perfect for a jester.

[Green Ghost]

The drawings are great
I love the back head of the Frankenstein Monster ;D
Is there a chance that you could post the sketches of some Batman figs later here at LOG?
Maybe Poison Ivy or so...

[TheJoker]

Im love the new Penguin figure and he comes with his Hat!
Now I can but muliples of him and have an army of hats for other people to wear! MUAHAHAHAHA
He uses the Yoda body doesnt he....

So....do you have all the whole Batman license? Like even for movies. Cause that Joker copter could easily be redone again except this time in all purple lego bricks to match the movie Batman one. And then include Bob the Goon and movie Joker.....
Cant wait for 07 if this is what were getting in 06

And also another big welcome and thanks for answering all these questions! Glad to have you here

[ThatBlockoGuy]

bonven said:

Hmm, I'm rather happy with the final Werewolf, you have to remember that a wolf is grey, not brown. a lot of people thought the brown one was a Bear (mostly marketing people...)

you'll notice that the monsters in Vikings all have names.

True, they are mostly grey, but I always liked the Werewolf by Night (from Marvel) who had brown fur and green pants so I guess that's were the partiality comes from. The blue/grey combination works well though. The monsters in the Viking line are all based on creatures from Norse mythology. This makes me more excited for the designer Mythical Creatures set coming out.

[/\/\att]

Thanks so much for sharing those drawings Chriss! Its so wonderful to see the process toys go through in being made!

[bonven]

So....do you have all the whole Batman license?
We have the License for Batman Begins, The Batman Cartoon and the comics. We chose to do the comics for year one, because it was the most iconic universe (plus we could pick and choose which characters to use)

Is there a chance that you could post the sketches of some Batman figs later here at LOG?
I usually do a lot of sketches for the mini figures i make, but since i have had Batman Lego in my head for many years, i simply sat down behind the computer and it all poured out. Cool thing is; DC approved them all in one take!

And let me say this; i have worked with a couple of license holders now and DC is by far the best. It has been very pleasant, they understood what you can and can't do with Lego, so there was no major issues. I even got some cool Bat-swag from them.

So i really don' have any concept sketches for the figures, i do have some for the batgadgets and one of our very talented designers did some cool drawings of Batvechicles to inspire the modelbuilders. but you'll see some of them later.

Instead of figure drawings, i will post highres pictures of the charaters, that you can use for avatars. But only when Lego says it's okay, so you'll have to wait a little longer.

[Green Ghost]

bonven said:

So....do you have all the whole Batman license?
We have the License for Batman Begins, The Batman Cartoon and the comics. We chose to do the comics for year one, because it was the most iconic universe (plus we could pick and cose which characters to use)

Is there a chance that you could post the sketches of some Batman figs later here at LOG?
I usually do a lot of sketches for the mini figures i make, but since i have had Batman Lego in my head for many years, i simply sat down behind the computer and it all poured out. Cool thing is; DC approved them all in one take!

And let me say this; i have worked with a couple of license holders now and DC is by far the best. It has been very pleasant, they understood what you can and can't do with Lego, so there was no major issues. I even got some cool Bat-swag from them.

So i really don' have any concept sketches for the figures, i do have some for the batgadgets and one of our very talented designers did some cool drawings of Batvechicles to inspire the modelbuilders. but you'll see some of them later.

Instead of figure drawings, i will post highres pictures of the charaters, that you can use for avatars. But only when Lego says it's okay, so you'll have to wait a little longer.

I can't wait for them

[Thunder]

I would like to welcome you also Bonven!

It's great to see so many industry professionals frequent our little slice of Bat-Heaven.

Any plans for a Golden Age or Silver Age Batman set and figs? That would be really cool.

Maybe 1950's batmobile?

[ThatBlockoGuy]

That's a great question, Thunder. I'd also love some sets based on the older vehicles. Bonven, will any of the Minifigs have 2 sided, double expression heads? It really adds something to those Exo Force figs? Also, will Lego be making "Jack Stone" size figs and sets like they did for Spiderman?

[bonven]

as of now there's no plans for a 50's era or any era theme. For the first year Lego will be going as Iconic as possible, it has to appeal to kids and grown ups alike (and Batfans as well)
I myself dream of a Dark Knight Returns theme, but that is probably to violent for...well i guess, everybody! LOL

No Jack Stone Batmen. It's all mini!