Back in the early 90ies I had already worked as an assistant and illustrator on different LEGO lines but finally it was time for me to have my debut as Art Director.
Shortly after in late 1993 Advance was briefed on a completely new LEGO play theme for 1995 and I was extremely lucky because I got to create the full package.
The line was called Aquazone. This was a dream come true. I got to work with one of my deepest passions; Diving and the underwater world. I chose the environment and here I used one of the most fascinating rock formations in the natural environment, namely the basalt columns. These structures are created when the basalt cools down and shrinks after coming up from a volcano and breaks into hexagonal columns.
The drawing you see on the left is done with AD-markers on paper:) This was before the age of computers so everything was done analog.
The basalt columns reappear in the cave in "Invasion from Below" the 2014 Hero Factory mini movie. The structure is simply too good to only use once:)
I designed the different logos and the bright yellow graphics and finally got to direct my first LEGO commercial. We filmed for a week in London and used one of the biggest motion control rigs in Europe. I think it was called the Cyclops (you don’t want to get in the way of that monster). We filled the studio with smoke and light beams and simulated water the best way possible. It was the best AD start anyone could have asked for.
Dear blog readers. This post is different than the normal work related posts on my blog but I want to commemorate my father that passed away last month. He had 86 good years with good health but still it is a chock and a surreal experience to loose your parents. I did this drawing short time after his death to try to capture him for the future. To do a drawing is a good way to focus your thoughts and make feelings concrete. He was a good father and a great friend and I will miss him deeply.
