What It Really Means To Win LEGO Masters

When it comes to LEGO, there's no shortage of the number of amazing builds (and builders) that are out there. The beautiful thing about LEGO is how it unlocks one's imagination. People have proven time and time again that with enough patience and creativity, anything can be rendered in LEGO form. It is these kinds of people that LEGO's competition series, "LEGO Masters" seeks to showcase.

Starting with the original British series in 2017, "LEGO Masters" seeks out anyone who can make an impressive LEGO build. Gathering these talented individuals into teams of two, "LEGO Masters" proceeds to put them through the gauntlet, challenging each team with an array of different tricky tasks before separating the wheat from the chaff and sending the weakest team home. At the end of the season, the last team standing earns $100,000 and the title of "LEGO Master." But, what does it really mean to win this illustrious competition?

Everyone on "LEGO Masters" has to be a proficient builder in many ways. The application to become a contestant requires that you give a pretty detailed account of your history and skills with LEGO. You even have to upload photographs of your work before they consider taking you on as a contestant. The competition is steep as well, as multiple contestants in the show's first season were professional LEGO Engineering teachers.

Given the high skill level for most of the show's contestants, the actual challenges themselves must live up to their abilities. The show's challenges require contestants to create some incredibly sophisticated, amazing work under strict conditions. On top of that, the bar is set high. According to the Los Angeles Times, contestants' creations are judged based on multiple criteria, such as creativity and technical ability, by two highly qualified LEGO designers known as "Brickmasters." With limited time to plan their builds ahead, a simple mistake can mean all the difference for contestants.

In short, the contestants on "LEGO Masters" are the real deal. It may not be the oldest or most accredited competition in LEGO history, but even getting on the show is a testament to one's talent and skill. Winners have to beat out nine other teams of skilled creators while impressing two of the world's leading authorities on LEGO creation. Plain and simple, such a feat is nothing to sneeze at.