Creating Lego Models

The most frequent question I am being asked by friends and family is how do I make such amazing models? My answers to their question are:

>Always think and formulate ideas for new models
>Always improve current models
>Most importantly, practice!!!

Always think of ideas for your new models - One should keep on thinking even if it gets that person nowhere (it's better than not thinking at all). Look through books, magazines, and the internet for ideas. One will always find something. I usually prefer futuristic concepts (Popular Science, concept cars) because these are very motivational. Then one can start with replicas of classic cars, famous landmarks, airplanes, etc... One can even test out their own concepts (like projectile launchers, rubber band suspension, etc).

When a model is first made, it is never perfect. However one might have spent hours making it. This should not discourage any Lego builder rather the person should take a well-deserved rest and improve the model. This process might have to be repeated many times till the model is close to perfection.

And finally... the most important aspect of making models...practice. The models I make now are the result of twelve years of lego building. When I think of my previous models, I can remember blocky shapes with very little details and overly colorful models that would be classified as poor by my current building standards. I firmly believe from my twelve years of Lego building that it enhances one's spatial abilities and creativity. So the sooner a child gets involved with Legos the better will be his/her Lego experience. According to my mother, my father introduced me to Lego toys since the age of 1 and I have been playing with them ever since. Because of him, I have a stack of Lego magazines over six inches thick (from the year 1996).