A GRADUATE from the University of Brighton has designed a model of the Space Shuttle in Lego to mark the 40th anniversary of the programme.
George Gilliatt who graduated in 2019, works for the toy manufacturer and designed the kit at home during lockdown.
George, 24, who lives near Lego's main office in Billund, Denmark, said: “It is so rewarding to know that a product enjoyed by children around the world was designed on the coffee table in my apartment.
“Studying product design at the University of Brighton taught me to always keep the end user in mind and I continued to channel this while developing the Space Shuttle at the Lego Group, ensuring the model could be built by an eight year old with both ease and challenges to give a sense of accomplishment.”
The set also includes two additional sets of building instructions, to allow users to turn their Space Shuttle into two alternative models.
“I was super proud that I managed to carefully plan the pieces used to construct the shuttle so they could also be used to build an iconic space rocket as well as a lunar lander,” George added.
George’s set is the third product he has designed for the company since graduating, having also created a “Cyber Drone” and a Safari Wildlife Tree House. He was also chosen to open the first Lego Con last month, talking with astronaut Mike Massimino about the company’s ongoing collaboration with Nasa.
“I’d never been part of a live broadcast before, so it was interesting to see how much behind-the-scenes work goes into producing such an event,” George explained.
“I hope the show inspired all the families at home to get building with Lego bricks, and I very much look forward to next year’s event!”
The Space Shuttle first launched in 1981 before the programme was retired in 2011.
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