Introducing the LEGO Madhouse

 
 
 

Comments

Posted by BooTheMightyHamster in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 05:01

For some reason, I'm unable to post comments on the blog itself, so I'll put some feedback here...

Hello Christopher,

I've just found your blog via the news page on Brickset. Arkham Asylum is quite an ambitious project for your first build, but what the heck! I look forward to seeing some photos. Hopefully you'll post some 'in progress' ones as well as the finished article.

A couple of general comments about the blog itself...

You write extremely well. Nothing puts readers off like a poorly written piece, no matter how interesting the subject matter might be, so a big thumbs up for that.

That lurid green for your title... Hmm. All I'll say is that it's a bit much for these old eyes at this time of the morning, but if you like it, then stick with it.

The white space at the top right of the page is just crying out for a blog summary! I know you wrote a bit about yourself and outlined your aims on your first post, but anybody coming in after that may well miss it. If you just have a short paragraph or two, pinned up there, saying who you are and most importantly, what the blog's about (Is it a general Lego blog? Is it just documenting your Asylum build?), it'll help new readers find their feet quickly.

The format of the posts is great. Very good use of clear images, and plenty of white space. It's a very smart, clean layout that's appealing to the eye.

Best of luck with both the blog and the build - I look forward to seeing how both progress!

BooTheMightyHamster, from Brickset

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 06:40

@BooTheMightyHamster - Thanks for your suggestions and compliments, I have implemented a few changes in the last few minutes in light of them. I am not sure if the commenting problem is widespread or not, do you have any details about what message etc. comes up if you try to comment?

Anyway. if the commenting issue applies to you, I am sure Huw won't mind a few comments on this article making suggestions or giving advice.

Thanks to Huw for asking the time to post an article and thanks to everybody who checks out my blog, new posts coming later on...

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 07:58

The poll looks a bit out of place, and there's no title or anything to explain what it's about. It would probably be better placed in the side bar.

Posted by Lordmoral in United States, 26 Jan 2013 08:57

I will suggest adding a Star Wars Easter egg or two.

Posted by brickmonkey13 in Canada, 26 Jan 2013 08:58

Fascinating! I shall be following with great interest as you build this ambitious project. I would also encourage you to take detailed photos of your progress, posting even aspects you eventually choose not to use and tell us why.

And don't you dare change that lurid green! It's a highly appropriate colour for Arkham's most distinguished guest.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 09:29

@Lordmoral - Absolutely, I have plenty of Easter Egg ideas for the final model.

@brickmonkey13 - I have in fact already changed the green from what it was before, originally it was a bit more neon, but now I think while it is a little toned down, it still looks suitably manic to match the Joker. I plan on photographing just about everything from designs through to the finished article, so no need to worry about that!

Posted by large88 in Netherlands, 26 Jan 2013 09:51

@CapnRex101 Very interesting project! Looking forward to seeing more :) I hope you get away with the use of "Lego" in the name of your blog. You might want too change it to "brick" the TLG has said before you cannot use their brand in the names for sites blogs and bricklinkstores. Just a tip, like I said you might get away with it ;)

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 10:45

^ You will get away with it in subdomain names, like this, although should you wish to monetise the site at some point in the future by applying for LEGO's affiliate programme, they will reject your application.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 10:48

@large88 - As Huw said, not a problem unless I choose to monetise it (which I will not). DrDave helped me out on this side of things as he is of course experienced experienced in such things with his fantastic blog Gimme Lego.

Posted by Zacherano in United States, 26 Jan 2013 15:23

@CapnRex101 - I have taken a look through your blog and will provide you feedback if I see something particularly noteworthy upon which others have not already commented. This is very impressive! I myself am an amateur when it comes to MOCs, especially when comparing my work against the beautiful models displayed on the likes of TBB, FBTB, and EB. Nonetheless, my belief is that any Lego model is naturally a work of consummate artistry for the attention to detail that is generally incumbent upon those who produce MOCs. I do not have the discipline to churn them out monthly or even weekly like some, but I enjoy combining new building styles and experimenting with minifigs and unusual pieces.

Best of luck with your first MOC, and I look forward to perusing your progress. As a fellow Star Wars fan, I understand your frustration with not finding the perfect SW MOC, but I personally derive pleasure from amalgamating styles to create my own SW oriented creations that are not necessarily part of the films or the EU.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 16:07

^^ Sure...

Posted by goldfish in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 17:30

Hmm, nice idea, but the actual format and layout of the blog is a bit of a madhouse at the moment, which actually, and ironically might work.
It's a good start, and I wish you all the best. I'll review some of the reviews in detail and give some more useful feedback later!

Posted by goldfish in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 17:33

ps: how about a list of all DC characters currently available in lego form?, then a list of all those not done yet? I still want The Pharoah...

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2013 17:46

@Zacherano - I have made a couple of smaller MOCs in the past, but never anything of this scale. Thanks for your kind message of support, if you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to contact me or post a comment.

@goldfish - Thanks for the advice, what in particular do you think is wrong with the blog's layout? I want it to be as easy as possible to navigate so any suggestions on how to improve things would be much appreciated. It might be that the poll I have open at the moment is taking up quite a lot of space on the right hand side which makes everything look a bit too tightly packed, in which case that problem will solve itself in four days. I am still waiting for a Ra's Al Ghul Minifigure in particular and will certainly consider implementing your idea of listing the currently available DC Minifigures soon, but again I do not want to clutter things up too much.

Posted by Kez in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 14:04

@CapnRex101
I have an idea for you, why don't you make a stop motion movie of arkham asylum being built (it would be a bit hard I suppose because it'll probably take you a long time to build it)

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 14:34

@Kez - That is a good idea, I will certainly look into it. I will probably be building the model in modular sections to allow easy access to the inside and easy transport, so this is probably possible. It will be a month or so however until I actually get building, so I have a while to consider it, for the moment I am just designing though. Keep checking back on the blog, I might post an article asking what people think of this idea at some point in the next couple of weeks.

Posted by Kez in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 14:57

^Sounds like a really good idea, I'll check your blog daily :-) thanks and good luck.

Posted by doomer72 in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 15:34

I look forward to following your progress,i think it will be a challenging but fantastic build.I am a couple of thousand pieces into my Wayne Manor moc and i should probably record progress in a similar way.Good luck

Posted by goldfish in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 16:23

I just think maybe a simpler home page would be better.

How about running a super heroes moc contest to win a joker minifig?

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 27 Jan 2013 16:52

@doomer72 - If you do end up of blogging your creation (or just photographing it) please tell me as it sounds fantastic! Thanks.

@goldfish - OK, well once the poll has come to an end the homepage will look a little less crowded I hope. As for a competition, I have something in mind, but it will not be running for a while yet.

Posted by doomer72 in United Kingdom, 28 Jan 2013 03:23

@CapnRex101- Thanks,i have taken photos and will think about the best way of sharing them.I think you have already done a great job with your blog and i will be eager to see how things progress.

Posted by MorkMan in United States, 29 Jan 2013 11:57

I just love the logo! Thanks for the news on this!

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