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Beautiful Lego
"Far from child's play. An astonishing collection." --Publishers Weekly Mix hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks with dozens of artists, and what do you get? Beautiful LEGO, a compendium of LEGO artwork that showcases a stunning array of pieces ranging from incredibly lifelike replicas of everyday objects and famous monuments to imaginative renderings of spaceships, mansions, and mythical creatures. You'll also meet the minds behind the art. Interviews with the artists take you inside the creative process that turns simple, plastic bricks into remarkable LEGO masterpieces. As seen in The Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, TODAY.com, Wallpaper, USA Today, MAKE, and more! Note: This full-color ebook is not compatible with Kindle E Ink devices.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 9, 2015
As a child, I'm certain that I swallowed at least one small Lego brick. I don't know that it ever passed through the digestive tract. More than likely, it's lodged around a corner in my large intestine somewhere, waiting to kill me. But I'm certain I'm not alone. A straw poll, solidly scientific in its execution (I asked friends and co-workers) shows that most males believe they swallowed at least one Lego during their childhood.
What are the archaeologists going to think?
"Clearly, this little plastic brick was interred with these remains to memorialize the ancients fascination with temple architecture. The building block would have been placed with the body before burial, near the navel (provenience substantiates this) to provide the erstwhile architect with a model to replicate the materials needed for temple building in the afterlife."
They'll never, ever guess they were used to make art. "Real" art. Substantial art. Serious art. The kind that Mike Doyle presents here, and which he produces himself.
In fact, I wish there was more work in the book of the same quality and construction as Mike Doyle's work. This guy is good. Really, really good. Take, for example, his piece Victorian With Tree. This thing was made with legos? That's insane!
Equally insane are Nannan Zhang's surreal, apocalyptic visions, which can likely be found somewhere here. Sorry, Zhang has 50 pages of photos here, all of them showing some fascinating constructions. I don't have time to go through all 50 pages to find a representative sample featured in Beautiful Lego. But if you winnow through it, look for "End of Days" and "Armageddon". You won't be disappointed.
There are dozens of artists featured in this book. I've just pointed out my two favorites. There's something here for everyone, from birds to spacecraft to mosaics to everyday objects. There's even a depiction of a frog dissection, which brought back some memories from high school (traumatic as they may be).
But it's in the architecture that these artists really show their chops. Whether faithful recreations of monumental architecture, or whimsical additions to the canon, the lego-constructed-buildings are absolutely spectacular.
We also get some great insight to the artists themselves through a series of interviews with some of the top builders. These builders love their medium. There is passion hidden in these little blocks.
Maybe we should bury Legos with our artistic dead.
What are the archaeologists going to think?
"Clearly, this little plastic brick was interred with these remains to memorialize the ancients fascination with temple architecture. The building block would have been placed with the body before burial, near the navel (provenience substantiates this) to provide the erstwhile architect with a model to replicate the materials needed for temple building in the afterlife."
They'll never, ever guess they were used to make art. "Real" art. Substantial art. Serious art. The kind that Mike Doyle presents here, and which he produces himself.
In fact, I wish there was more work in the book of the same quality and construction as Mike Doyle's work. This guy is good. Really, really good. Take, for example, his piece Victorian With Tree. This thing was made with legos? That's insane!
Equally insane are Nannan Zhang's surreal, apocalyptic visions, which can likely be found somewhere here. Sorry, Zhang has 50 pages of photos here, all of them showing some fascinating constructions. I don't have time to go through all 50 pages to find a representative sample featured in Beautiful Lego. But if you winnow through it, look for "End of Days" and "Armageddon". You won't be disappointed.
There are dozens of artists featured in this book. I've just pointed out my two favorites. There's something here for everyone, from birds to spacecraft to mosaics to everyday objects. There's even a depiction of a frog dissection, which brought back some memories from high school (traumatic as they may be).
But it's in the architecture that these artists really show their chops. Whether faithful recreations of monumental architecture, or whimsical additions to the canon, the lego-constructed-buildings are absolutely spectacular.
We also get some great insight to the artists themselves through a series of interviews with some of the top builders. These builders love their medium. There is passion hidden in these little blocks.
Maybe we should bury Legos with our artistic dead.
July 21, 2017
I don't ever recall having Legos as a child, though I do remember having Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs. Oh, and two brothers. I honestly don't remember anyone having Legos and as a result of that, I don't love them the way my children (and billions of others) do. What I do love, though, is creativity and it is impossible to not respect and appreciate the abundance of planning, foresight, creativity, vision, dedication, and work that went into the incredible creations on these pages. Some are silly, some are scary. There are sea creatures, fantasy landscapes, animals, buildings, recreations of art and life. It is very impressive. My kids give it 10 stars!
April 7, 2019
Okay I am a sucker for Lego always have always will be - I could easily see my life over run by the stuff if it was not so expensive.
So when I see amazing creations where it is obvious the budget or the limit of certain types and colours of bricks just amazes me.
I remember Lego from my early childhood where each summer my Nan would buy my brother and I a set to play with in the holidays. Slowly a Lego town would evolve and each holiday season we would pull out our collection and see what amazing constriction we could create.
This book is my dream where there is no limit to what the imagine could come up with and the builder realise in bricks.
These books often inspire me to want to dig out my collection and start building - however I do not have even a fraction of their creativity or brick collection. Books like this allow me a near alternative where I can sit and marvel at what could be achieved.
So when I see amazing creations where it is obvious the budget or the limit of certain types and colours of bricks just amazes me.
I remember Lego from my early childhood where each summer my Nan would buy my brother and I a set to play with in the holidays. Slowly a Lego town would evolve and each holiday season we would pull out our collection and see what amazing constriction we could create.
This book is my dream where there is no limit to what the imagine could come up with and the builder realise in bricks.
These books often inspire me to want to dig out my collection and start building - however I do not have even a fraction of their creativity or brick collection. Books like this allow me a near alternative where I can sit and marvel at what could be achieved.
July 5, 2015
ein sehr beeindruckendes buch, welches deutlich zeigt, welches ernsthaft kreative potential in legosteinen steckt.
manche der ideen sind einfach grandios, andere weniger... aber die bandbreite ist wirklich enorm.
manche der ideen sind einfach grandios, andere weniger... aber die bandbreite ist wirklich enorm.
October 6, 2019
A wonderful visual exploration of unique and innovative ways that LEGO builders are creating artwork with the unusual medium of LEGO bricks. The book is broken into sections by artist and/or theme, and while there are some expected bits (like masterful re-creations of vehicles and buildings), the really fascinating works are the ones that push the boundaries, creating surreal landscapes or realms of fantasy, even horror. Interviews with some of the creators featured in the book tell the story of how they came back to LEGO as adults, and some describe the interesting techniques they use, such as mounting an intentionally askew house on flexible tube pieces to keep it off balance. I've browsed this book many times and am perpetually amazed when I notice a new feature in one of the photographed works, or a LEGO piece used in an unexpected way.
February 5, 2018
This book shows some amazing feats of LEGO construction. I’m truly impressed. As a new nanoblock builder I can’t even imagine myself building things on this scale.
May 1, 2019
Large, colorful photos of a variety of LEGO creations of people, vehicles, buildings, animals, and robots. It would make an excellent coffee table book. It features several LEGO builders who explain why they build with LEGO, tell what they build, and tell part of their story.
I've loved LEGO for most of my life. I wish I could build creations like those in this book! As one of the featured creators says,
I've loved LEGO for most of my life. I wish I could build creations like those in this book! As one of the featured creators says,
My fondest memories still revolve around LEGO products. … Is it because I am still a child who never grew out of his affection for one of his grandest joys? For the sake of brevity, let's just say that I am nostalgic—very, very nostalgic.
March 21, 2016
This made a great Christmas present for my husband, who loves Legos as much as our sons. But after a few look-throughs, he was ready for it to sit on the coffee table. But then my son took it upstairs to the Lego corner of his bedroom and poured over before bedtime. And my husband has never seen it since.
October 2, 2015
The title is no lie, these are beautiful Lego models. If you thought Legos were just for creating what is on the box, you need to check this out.
February 3, 2023
I feel kinda weird checking this book off as read. I have flipped through the whole thing at least 3 times now with my kids.... I've read maybe 10% of the text. There are a good variety of Lego creations included. I liked the characters (og star trek, Alice from wonderland, captain crunch), the birds, and the buildings. The book didn't quite live up to the cover photo but it's still hours of fun.
December 7, 2023
very cool
June 8, 2025
mooi opgezet fotoboek met wat er mogelijk is met LEGO
November 18, 2019
This is an amazing, mind-expanding book! Kind of makes you rethink how you look at other things, LEGOS or not. From the simpler little Birds (page 77) and MicroBots (page 230) to the author's own expansive Contact 1: The Millennial Celebration of the Eternal Choir (page 127) - these show such creativity. Beautiful!
December 7, 2024
I always look forward to seeing the beautiful artwork people can create with LEGO, and Beautiful LEGO by Mike Doyle does not disappoint. The book is filled with a variety of creations, from incredibly complex and intricate designs to deceptively simple builds that still manage to amaze.
Some pieces left me in awe of their detail and craftsmanship, while others stood out for their clever use of LEGO’s versatility. While not every piece featured was exactly my cup of tea, it’s impossible not to admire the sheer time, effort, and creativity that went into conceptualizing and building these works of art.
Whether you’re a LEGO enthusiast or just someone who enjoys seeing creativity pushed to its limits, Beautiful LEGO is an inspiring collection worth exploring.
Some pieces left me in awe of their detail and craftsmanship, while others stood out for their clever use of LEGO’s versatility. While not every piece featured was exactly my cup of tea, it’s impossible not to admire the sheer time, effort, and creativity that went into conceptualizing and building these works of art.
Whether you’re a LEGO enthusiast or just someone who enjoys seeing creativity pushed to its limits, Beautiful LEGO is an inspiring collection worth exploring.
May 13, 2023
Wow. I think this is something that does require more than one read through. I've gone through the book reading the texts and looking at the pictures, but on the second round I will only concentrate on the pictures. And then I will also go through it with the kids. And then it remains to be seen if son takes over. I know I need to look at the piece usage in more detailed mode (and obviously we need more Legos at home).
Of course not all the builds are my style, but there is such a great variety that it doesn't matter. There's things that inspire and there's things that drop jaws. I know I could look at something like this in the internet, but to me book is different than a screen.
Of course not all the builds are my style, but there is such a great variety that it doesn't matter. There's things that inspire and there's things that drop jaws. I know I could look at something like this in the internet, but to me book is different than a screen.
April 23, 2021
Quick impressions: This is a nice collection of artistic art pieces using LEGO bricks. The compendium ranges from very detailed lifelike replicas of various objects and even monuments to imaginative creations like mythical creatures and spaceships. It includes artist interviews. Strength of the book is in the photography. Overall, a great book for fans of LEGO.
(Review posted on my blog later)
(Review posted on my blog later)
June 15, 2022
My son loves Legos. We, as a family, love building Lego sets together or having Lego build-off challenges.
I saw this book at our local library and instantly loved the idea that Lego could be an art form. I want my son to know about many forms of art, poetry, writing, and ideas.
This book shows many types of Lego builds and interviews the artists who built them. I enjoyed the book and so did my son.
I saw this book at our local library and instantly loved the idea that Lego could be an art form. I want my son to know about many forms of art, poetry, writing, and ideas.
This book shows many types of Lego builds and interviews the artists who built them. I enjoyed the book and so did my son.
January 17, 2022
This gave me some really good ideas and I was able to build a really cool airplane! My favorite builds inside the book were the small blue man walking inside the very colorful LEGO person and the clear person jumping inside the water.
September 10, 2022
dry iner
Great read. Plenty of awesome pictures of incredible artists with some very impressive LEGO Art. Nice interviews with some top LEGO Artists. Good inspiration, and a must read book for a LEGO Fan.
Great read. Plenty of awesome pictures of incredible artists with some very impressive LEGO Art. Nice interviews with some top LEGO Artists. Good inspiration, and a must read book for a LEGO Fan.
October 10, 2017
A great book with beautiful Lego designs and lots of wonderful ideas.
February 3, 2019
Everything is awesome!
August 29, 2020
Great inspiration for any MOC lego creator AFOL or not.
October 5, 2022
All these books that have the same date for the summer of ‘22 are because I was locked out of Goodreads and didn’t note the day I read the books.
February 4, 2023
2.5 honestly vvv pretty and intricate
Read
November 2, 2023This has cool photos of builds, but zero directions.
December 15, 2023
Very inspiring creations!
December 25, 2024
I LOVE LEGOS
June 29, 2021
The Lego build of a dissected frog is *chef's kiss* perfection. That's all I am saying.
October 20, 2013
This is a beautiful and inspiring book. The pictures are works of art. Some majestic in scale, some more at the level that you can imagine someone actually doing, if they had the artistic vision these creators did!
I like LEGO because of the ability to create. I remember as a young boy soon after a move using LEGO to build a model of my old house, with each floor, stairs, and every room represented. With my son, we have DUPLO's that have not gotten old. Some of the things we have made for him have been kept together for regular play for months at a time.
What this book and the artists that it interviews discusses is the use of LEGO as a medium for art. Where it makes the jump from a toy to art is when you creatively consider possibilities within the context of a constraint. And like the photographer who chooses to use black and white, the use of LEGO instead of clay is the fact that it comes in generally rectangular blocks. This book and the interviews recorded here deal with many ways of approaching this type of abstraction. From large scale recreations that rely on distance and scale to convert the blocks to a realistic looking objects, to abstractions with just enough detail so that the idea is recognizable and can fill in the rest.
My hope for my son is that LEGO gives him his first taste of creation, of having a picture in his mind and using building blocks, growing slowly towards that vision with all of the trial and error that involves, and ending with something he can call his own. And in this book, some of artists show that there start was much the same.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book through the Oreilly Press Blogger Program
I like LEGO because of the ability to create. I remember as a young boy soon after a move using LEGO to build a model of my old house, with each floor, stairs, and every room represented. With my son, we have DUPLO's that have not gotten old. Some of the things we have made for him have been kept together for regular play for months at a time.
What this book and the artists that it interviews discusses is the use of LEGO as a medium for art. Where it makes the jump from a toy to art is when you creatively consider possibilities within the context of a constraint. And like the photographer who chooses to use black and white, the use of LEGO instead of clay is the fact that it comes in generally rectangular blocks. This book and the interviews recorded here deal with many ways of approaching this type of abstraction. From large scale recreations that rely on distance and scale to convert the blocks to a realistic looking objects, to abstractions with just enough detail so that the idea is recognizable and can fill in the rest.
My hope for my son is that LEGO gives him his first taste of creation, of having a picture in his mind and using building blocks, growing slowly towards that vision with all of the trial and error that involves, and ending with something he can call his own. And in this book, some of artists show that there start was much the same.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book through the Oreilly Press Blogger Program
March 11, 2015
My first book up in the very interesting No Starch Press Humble Book Bundle. I do love the way a Humble Bundle can introduce a wider audience to the work of a smaller publisher like this and this particular one was packed full of titles i am looking forward to getting stuck into.
Beautiful Lego proved to be an excellent introduction for me into the world of free form Lego art. I knew this was something which existed but this was my first real exposure to exactly what it involved.
Doyle interviews a number of different builders and displays creations by an even wider range of artists. The creations on display cover the full gambit from tiny, yet startlingly detailed and adorable, robots to massive, 200,000+ piece, alien landscapes.
The interviews primarily focus on why the builder chooses to work with lego and their history with the blocks.
This book really wet my appetite for lego and building in general but I would have prefered more in-depth content, specifically more, longer interviews as well as possible some general guides into free form design and building.
Overall this was a good introduction which left me wanting more, but is quite lacking in depth.
Beautiful Lego proved to be an excellent introduction for me into the world of free form Lego art. I knew this was something which existed but this was my first real exposure to exactly what it involved.
Doyle interviews a number of different builders and displays creations by an even wider range of artists. The creations on display cover the full gambit from tiny, yet startlingly detailed and adorable, robots to massive, 200,000+ piece, alien landscapes.
The interviews primarily focus on why the builder chooses to work with lego and their history with the blocks.
This book really wet my appetite for lego and building in general but I would have prefered more in-depth content, specifically more, longer interviews as well as possible some general guides into free form design and building.
Overall this was a good introduction which left me wanting more, but is quite lacking in depth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews