HOW DID YOU THINK OF THE IDEA?
A couple of years ago, Atlum Schema released a 4-EP set in a hand-made wooden box. This started me on the path of wanting to make something special for people who might appreciate a physical version of my album. I’m a big fan of LEGO (Classic Space LEGO from 1978-1982 is my favourite) and a conversation with my friend Mark led to the idea of a LEGO box for the CD release.
I realised that there have been a lot of interesting packaging ideas in the past, but I couldn’t think of any that were as interactive as a case you actually had to build yourself. So the idea evolved from a pre-made box into a build-it-yourself kit.
HOW DID YOU DESIGN THE CASE?
A lot of trial and error! Once I’d decided that I wanted to replicate a regular CD case using LEGO pieces, it took a while to find the right pieces to make it work. I wanted it to be as close to the size of a regular CD case as possible – in fact it’s almost exactly the same size, apart from the 2 hinges that stick out.
WHERE DO YOU GET ALL THE LEGO PIECES?
www.bricklink.com is the place to go for all your LEGO buying and selling needs!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS PROJECT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE LEGO GROUP OF COMPANIES?
Good idea. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this album.
WHY ARE THE LEGO CASES AVAILABLE IN SUCH LIMITED QUANTITIES?
Not all of the pieces are available brand new from LEGO. So it takes a long time to source all the necessary pieces at a price that’s reasonable. It takes a lot of time and energy to produce each set, and unfortunately I therefore have to limit the number that are available.
As of today (5th July 2012) I am making the final 10 cases available for pre-order – these will be sent out at the end of August. After those 10 have been sold, I probably won’t make any more – so if you’ve been thinking about ordering one, now would be a good time to do it. If there’s enough demand then I may make more in the future, but don’t hold your breath.
To order a LEGO case, or to buy the download-only or cardboard wallet CD versions of Intuition & Dreams, please visit campamerica.bandcamp.com
DON’T THE LEGO STUDS SCRATCH THE CD?
If they did, that would be a pretty rubbish design, wouldn’t it? The black dome piece in the centre of the case holds the CD slightly above the green studs below. The very edges of the CD are supported by the red pieces, but as the information on the CD is stored from the centre outwards, any minimal scratching that may occur on the outside edge will have no adverse affect.
YOU MUST BE MAKING LOTS OF MONEY!
Absolutely not. This is a labour of love! The extra money I charge for the LEGO edition only just covers the cost of the LEGO pieces and the printing of the instruction leaflet. Factor in the amount of time it takes to source and count all the pieces for each order, and you’ve got yourself the world’s worst get-rich-quick scheme.
WHY BOTHER WITH A PHYSICAL RELEASE? CDS ARE RUBBISH!
Perhaps they are. But I don’t think I’m the only one who still likes getting something physical, rather than a download that just disappears into the mists of iTunes. If you hate cluttering up your house with stuff, then that’s cool, the download-only option is there for you. But personally, I enjoy having something I can hold. I love reading the credits and absorbing the artwork while I listen to an album for the first time. And I like the act of “putting on a CD” and listening to an album in its entirety.
There have been millions of words written by various know-it-alls about the death of the CD, and probably just as many words written about the virtues of physical formats. I’m not suggesting that the CD deserves to live on forever, but for a physical release it remains the most popular and convenient option. Vinyl would be nice, but imagine how many more LEGO pieces would be needed…
THIS IS THE BEST CD PACKAGING I’VE EVER SEEN.
Thank you!
HOW ARE YOU EVER GOING TO TOP THIS FOR YOUR NEXT ALBUM?
Good question. If you have any ideas then please let me know!
I DON’T WANT TO BUY YOUR ALBUM, BUT I WANT THE LEGO CASE.
Are you sure? Ok, fair enough. If you want to source the LEGO pieces yourself, then you can download the instructions as a PDF.