Ryan McNaught, known to many as “The Brickman” from TV’s Lego Masters, has a unique relationship with his work. Despite being surrounded by millions of Lego pieces in his Melbourne warehouse, McNaught still cherishes the thrill of opening a new Lego set each Christmas. “I still love that feeling of getting a Lego set,” he shares, describing the sensory experience of opening a box and the anticipation of building something new.
McNaught’s passion for Lego is not just a hobby; it has become his career. The former IT professional turned his childhood love of Lego into a full-time job in 2008, leaving behind the corporate world after a particularly uninspiring meeting. “The managing director said, ‘We need to have a meeting about the number of meetings we’re having,’” McNaught recalls, marking the moment he decided to pursue something different.
The Journey to Becoming a Certified Lego Professional
McNaught’s journey to becoming one of only 24 Certified Lego Professionals worldwide began with a Lego Mindstorms kit. His innovative approach to hacking the programmable Lego block caught the attention of Lego itself, leading to a partnership that would change his career trajectory. “I got a cease and desist letter,” he laughs, “but two weeks later, I received a different letter from Lego saying, ‘This is just awesome, let’s do some stuff together.’”
His role as a Certified Lego Professional involves pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with Lego bricks. Unlike traditional employees, these professionals are not paid by Lego unless commissioned for specific projects. McNaught’s work includes creating large-scale exhibitions, such as the Curiosity: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO Bricks at Bendigo’s Discovery Science and Technology Centre.
From IT to International Exhibitions
Since leaving IT, McNaught has built a thriving business, starting from his garage and growing to a team of 38 full-time staff. His projects span the globe, with exhibitions in countries like Canada, France, and South Korea. One of his most notable works is a life-size sculpture of C3P0, for which he had special Lego bricks made at a cost of approximately $140,000.
“We never get a part custom-made, we only use standard Lego pieces,” McNaught explains, emphasizing the aspirational aspect of his creations. However, the C3P0 project was an exception, requiring custom bricks to achieve the desired effect.
A Life of Adventure and Creativity
McNaught’s career has not only allowed him to indulge in his passion for Lego but also his love for marathon running. Although he has since retired from running, he completed 18 full marathons, including races in unique locations like an African safari park and North Korea. “It wasn’t about the time in that particular marathon,” he notes, recalling an elephant that blocked the track during one race.
Despite stepping back from running, McNaught’s creative journey with Lego continues. “Every day, no matter what, I think about things I’d like to make out of Lego,” he says. His ongoing projects and exhibitions ensure that his work remains both a passion and a profession.
Curiosity: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO Bricks is on display at the Discovery Science & Technology Centre in Bendigo until November 29. For more information, visit discovery.asn.au.
