PIPES & HOSES

We use construction toy systems as a metaphor because they are simple and easy to understand, which enables creative expression and collaboration. The brick system perfected by the LEGO company or erector sets come to mind as examples.

… a wall, a door, ⟳ a face, pavement, ⟳ a flower pot, a bucket …

… a wall, a leg, a pillar, a chassis, a screen, a handle …

„There is no trash in a LEGO room.“ Neil Gershenfeld (MIT, Center for bits and atoms), source

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Experiments with the Ikego system go back quite a while. In the beginning, we tried to create multipurpose parts first – we guessed – and then tried to build objects with them. That approach failed. The parts weren’t useful, the objects didn’t work. We only made progress once we flipped the process—starting with the objects and deriving the parts from them. For us, starting with the parts simply didn’t work. While this may not be a strict rule for everyone, it’s a perspective maybe worth considering.

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There is a famous story from the LEGO design department. When designer Mike Psiaki was tasked with designing the Porsche model (10295), he struggled to perfectly capture the curve at the rear end using existing LEGO parts. The element designer Yoel Mazur suggested introducing a new part into the catalog specifically for this purpose. However, Mike Psiaki was determined to find a solution using existing pieces. Despite this, the element designer created a new part anyway, which indeed solved the problem perfectly. Subsequently, all designers in the department were given time to play with this new part to see if there were any good ‘nice part usages’ (alternative applications) for it. At LEGO, before a new piece is approved for production, it has to demonstrate its ‘system-wide’ value, ensuring it isn’t just a specialized solution for one specific car. They tested if it is truly a multipurpose part. The result was a clear yes! Following this test, the part made it into the system. Today, there are indeed many applications for it.

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When introducing a new connection method, try to find one that combines easily with existing parts. Tolerance is key. If the method requires specific diameters or dimensions that cannot be replicated with hand tools, it is a slight disadvantage. However, this is not a dealbreaker. In such cases, try to use solutions that already exist on the market and are widely used → Hack Into Existing Systems! Ideally, these are common, easily accessible, standardized, well-documented, and already open (with expired patents). – Ikego is not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about putting wheels on the wagon that fit.