Building creative minds with LEGO® bricks: Meet Javier.
Learning through play has been close to Javier’s heart for a long time. This, together with his belief in LEGO® Education, led him from his role at LEGO Duplo to help drive our work as a Model Designer.
"My dream job was to design play-based learning products for children. I'm very much a purpose-driven person, so I need my work to have a meaningful impact – and LEGO Education's mission aligns perfectly with that!"
Javier's work is all about creating LEGO sets that not only ignite children's creativity but also help them grasp educational concepts. So, what does this involve?
“I’m going to tell you a secret, are you ready? I play with LEGO bricks for most of my day. Striking the balance between the learning and the play experience requires a lot of hands-on and digital brick building. This means there’s a lot of trial and error until we crack the perfect match.”
"We start by brainstorming and building multiple ideas using LEGO bricks. Then we refine these models, focusing on simplicity and ease of understanding, while ensuring a fun building experience."
After almost two years here, Javier’s journey has been both inspiring and fulfilling.
“I get to work closely with educational experts and other designers to ensure that each LEGO Education set has a compelling story and effectively teaches the intended learning outcome.”
"We also get to participate in kids' tests, which is always a highlight," he says. "Seeing how much children enjoy our experiences is so incredibly rewarding."
Javier believes that the impact of LEGO Education extends far beyond the classroom.
"I think our products mirror my role as they are based on the same components: collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. They also create an even playing field for all children, including those who may face challenges in traditional learning environments."
The endless possibilities that LEGO bricks offer is a constant source of inspiration for Javier:
"We have a huge library of bricks to choose from, and we can even ask for new elements to be designed for us if needed. This makes the creative process incredibly exciting - possibilities are endless! Luckily, our colleagues have the chance to play too, as we also have adult tests and a company-wide Play Day, where we get to take part in fun activities together."
Javier also has some words for any aspiring creative minds who are interested in becoming toy designers at the LEGO Group some day:
“You don’t necessarily need to be an expert in building with LEGO bricks from the beginning. Before I started my role, I’d only really worked with LEGO Duplo bricks. For me, learning about how to build with other types of bricks has been a steep learning curve that has opened many new possibilities. It has made me analyse and get familiar with the needs and interests of children of different ages, making me a better designer.”
One of Javier's proudest moments was when he came up with a model idea that, before that point, the team had not managed to make engaging/interesting enough for children:
"I felt very proud of coming up with that concept, and the recognition from my experienced colleagues meant so much to me as well. Looking at new design challenges daily has made me accustomed to coming up to new, wacky ideas faster and seeking and being open to feedback from colleagues. So, it could be said that I’ve improved my collaboration and communication skills, as well as becoming more adaptable to change."
Javier is passionate about the potential of LEGO Education to revolutionise learning.
"We're offering an alternative to traditional textbooks, a way to help children internalise knowledge in a more enjoyable way - through play. It’s about building a future for education that speaks a language that all children understand and share. This is something I feel inspired to be a part of. Playfulness, connection & flow – those are the ingredients to create truly fun experiences that will help children to develop a long-lasting love for learning."
It’s an excellent philosophy and one that we share at LEGO Education.
Just imagine a career you can make your own. Then do it for real!
Join the LEGO® Education team today