As a Lego master, I’ve had the privilege of working on countless projects, each with its unique challenges and rewards. However, this project for Endpoint’s booth at the DIA 2023 Global Annual Meeting stands out as one of the most exciting and complex builds I’ve ever undertaken.
This article will take you behind the scenes of this remarkable project, from conception to completion. As an added content, check out also the build video of this project found at the end of the article.
The Challenge: Visualizing Innovation
When Endpoint Clinical approached me with their vision for the DIA 2023 Global Annual Meeting at the Boston Convention Center, I knew we were in for an exciting ride. Their request was both simple and incredibly complex: find a creative and visual way to represent all that the company does. Sounds easy right?
Endpoint isn’t just any company – they’re innovators in the medical industry, pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers. How do you capture that spirit of innovation, that drive to improve lives, in a single Lego build? It was a challenge that got my creative juices flowing. I felt like I was back on the show LEGO MASTERS, being given a new challenge that was anything but expected, or ordinary.
Conceptualization: From Ideas to Bricks
The first hurdle was creating an overall concept that would do justice to Endpoint’s mission. We went through numerous brainstorming sessions, bouncing ideas back and forth. It was during one of these sessions that the rocket concept emerged.
What better way to represent a company at the forefront of medical innovation than with a rocket launching on an exploration mission? It perfectly captured the sense of adventure, discovery, and progress that Endpoint embodies.
But a rocket alone wasn’t enough. We needed to incorporate elements that spoke to the various aspects of Endpoint’s work. That’s where the iconic elements came in:
- A test tube to represent medical research
- A light bulb symbolizing new ideas and creativity
- A brain to illustrate the personal health aspect of their business
These elements would be integrated into the rocket design, creating a visual metaphor for Endpoint’s multifaceted approach to healthcare innovation.
The DNA Strand: Tying It All Together
As the concept evolved, we realized we needed something to connect all these elements – both literally and figuratively. That’s when the idea of the DNA strand came to life. Not only is DNA fundamental to medical research, but it also provides a perfect structural element to tie our build together.
The DNA strand would wrap around the rocket plumes, connecting five small scenes that illustrate specific areas of Endpoint’s work:
- Software Development: A scene depicting developers creating the medical software Endpoint uses.
- Medical Research Lab: Scientists hard at work developing drugs and running trials.
- Shipping and Fulfillment: The logistics of getting products to those who need them.
- In-Home Administration: Showing how Endpoint’s products are used by patients.
- Customer Support: A call center scene illustrating Endpoint’s commitment to ongoing support.
Each of these scenes would be a miniature work of art in itself, requiring careful planning and execution to convey the right message within a limited space.
The Build: Bringing the Vision to Life
With the concept finalized, it was time to start building. This wasn’t a small undertaking – we were looking at using around 20,000 Lego bricks to bring this vision to life. The build process took several months, with each element requiring meticulous attention to detail.
One of the most challenging aspects was ensuring that each mini-scene was recognizable and conveyed its message clearly, despite the limited space. It required a lot of trial and error, and more than a few late nights hunched over my workbench, tweaking and refining each detail.
The rocket itself presented its own set of challenges. It needed to be sturdy enough to support all the additional elements while still maintaining the sleek, dynamic look of a spacecraft ready for launch. Achieving the right balance of form and function took time and patience.
The Transportation Conundrum
As the build neared completion, a new challenge emerged: how to transport this massive, intricate model safely to the convention center in Boston? This required some serious out-of-the-box thinking.
The solution we came up with was to make certain elements of the sculpture modular. This allowed us to carefully pack these sections into Pelican cases for safe transport. It required a lot of forethought and planning to design the model in a way that it could be disassembled and reassembled without compromising its structural integrity or visual impact.
The Big Reveal
After months of planning, building, and problem-solving, the day finally arrived to unveil our creation at the DIA 2023 Global Annual Meeting. As we set up the display at the Boston Convention Center, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Would the attendees understand and appreciate the story we were trying to tell through this Lego sculpture?
I needn’t have worried. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Watching people’s faces light up as they discovered each new detail in the build was incredibly rewarding. Many attendees spent long periods examining each mini-scene, pointing out details to their colleagues, and discussing how accurately it represented Endpoint’s work.
Reflection: More Than Just Bricks
Looking back on the Endpoint Lego Project, I’m struck by how much more it became than just a sculpture made of plastic bricks. It became a conversation starter, a visual representation of a company’s mission, and a testament to the power of creative problem-solving.
This project pushed me to new creative heights, forcing me to think not just as a Lego builder, but as a storyteller and an artist. It reinforced my belief in the power of Lego as a medium for expression and communication.
Most importantly, it reminded me why I love what I do. The challenge of taking abstract concepts and turning them into tangible, visually striking models is what drives me as a Lego master. And when those models can help tell important stories – like Endpoint’s mission to innovate in healthcare – it makes the work even more meaningful.
The Endpoint Lego Project was more than just another build. It was a journey of creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. And like all great journeys, it left me excited for the next adventure that awaits.
Watch the project’s build video below.
