By Alejandro Barlow, Feb. 20, 2024
I am someone who enjoys nice activities, especially shared with loved ones. I phase through hobbies as the Earth goes through seasons, but one of the hobbies that stuck by my side as I grew up was Lego. When I turned 22, my brother gifted me a Lego clone trooper head, and when he turned 18, I also gifted him a Lego set of a car. Our friends gave us gift cards or clothes we appreciated for a short time, but those Lego sets we keep front and center on our desks.
Lego comes from the Danish words “Leg Godt,” translating to “play well,” and play well they do. The concept of play is lost when growing up and gaining responsibilities Lego gains inspiration from children to maintain the concept of play. Lego chooses to have children as its role models and has the mission to inspire and develop builders of tomorrow, according to Lego.
In high school, freshmen think seniors are the coolest people because they are into driving cars and independence and not into toys and plastic dinosaurs. High school seniors think college students are cooler than them because they moved from home and party on weekends.
There is a stigma that students must grow distant from the toys that made them happy as they grow older. Most people believe that there are “toys” or hobbies and interests for different age ranges, and at some time between age 16 and 19 people are supposed to go from playing with toys to studying and working. Lego is a very colorful and simple building block, and with the company catering to its younger audience, it is easy to see how Lego can be perceived as a children’s toy.
Yes, Lego is a toy with childish sets like the Marvel or Batman Lego sets. Lego is also a creative and relaxing outlet for adults who want to be creative without having the mess or prep time painting has.
When moving into college dorms, especially having a roommate for the first time, you try to make the best first impression and some tend to leave some of the more childish things back home. Lego is a simple toy and display that holds a lot more meaning behind it because you built it with your own hands. Lego kits are usually no bigger than a shoebox and double as a nice desktop or paper weight.
“Recently, you know how people have phases and hobbies and whatnot,” said aerospace student, Auston Chung. “I feel like the Lego phase, kind of rekindled over summer break. Last year I didn’t really have very many sets I wanted to bring to use as decor so I had a bunch of Lego car stuff over the summer and I was like, ‘Oh yeah this is kind of cool. This is cool to like bring you know.’”
A shop near Cal Poly Pomona sells raw material to art students and architects. The shop sells materials from light power tools to paint, and they also sell Lego. The entire line of Lego Architecture and some various other kits the shopkeeper enjoys. According to the shopkeeper, students from CPP do buy the Legos he sells, mostly architecture students.
I, unlike some people who play with Legos, follow the instruction manual and build what’s on the box as intended and have a relaxing time doing so. I will follow the instructions for a Lego bouquet this Valentine’s Day and have an eternal rose.
I enjoy the relaxation and sense of accomplishment playing with Lego brings. If you are looking for a gift for anyone and stumble upon the Lego aisle, don’t pass it without a double glance. You never know if there is a Lego set to rekindle someone’s creativity.
Feature image courtesy of Lauren Wong
