Good call! Lego picks John’s design to hit store shelves
MODEL SUBMITTED BY WORKER AT A CHARNWOOD HERITAGE CENTRE
A Lego set dreamed up by an enthusiast will become a reality after toy bosses were impressed with his design.
John Cramp, from Countesthorpe, has been creating Lego designs for years, but was taken aback when the toy giant said his red phone box model would go into production.
The 42-year-old said Lego was his favourite toy as a child and his interest was rekindled after his children were born. He started coming up with his own designs which he turned into 3D models on his computer.
The company invites the public to send in designs via its Lego Ideas platform, and John’s fourth submission has been selected for production. He said: “It’s a dream come true. I would not h a v e believed my love for Lego would have got me here.”
John’s design, submitted a year ago, needed 10,000 votes to get to the Lego Ideas review stage.
He has achieved this feat three times before, but not got any further in the process.
John’s latest design is full of charming details, from the crown insignia to a stack of phone books on the inside.
There are a couple of pigeons surrounding the box and a post box and lamppost also feature.
John, who works at Mountsorrel and Rothley Community and Heritage Centre, said: “I think my previous designs were all too similar to what was already out there, so I made sure I went the extra mile this time.
“I wanted to do something that was iconic and the red phone box really is that.
“It’s known all over the world. It’s a big part of British culture.”
John was one of two entrants out of 10,000 to get their ideas approved by Lego bosses.
He said wife, Charlotte, and children Sophie and Thomas are delighted for him.
John said: “They’re over the moon, and think my kids are just really proud of me.
“The fact that one day soon I’ll be able to take them to a toy store and show them my Lego set is an amazing feeling.
“It really is a dream come true. I don’t think you can put it into words as it’s such a great thing to happen.”
A final version of John’s telephone box is now in the works, with Lego’s design team fine-tuning the product’s look before it is released to the world.