Ep. 118 - BDP Builders Focus: An Interview with Designer Eric Nowicki - Part 2

Part 2 is here — and this one gets into the bones of design. In this episode I sit back down with Bricklink Designer Program creator/designer Eric Nowicki to tear apart his newest Series 9 submission piece by piece. We don’t just look at pretty photos — we dissect the small decisions, clever techniques, and subtle flourishes that make this set stand out in a crowd of hundreds.

You’ll hear Eric walk us through his entire design process: concepting, choosing parts, balancing display vs. play, and the tiny compromises that turn an idea into a submission that can actually win crowd support. We break down each major element of the set, talk about the moments that made Eric say “yes, this works,” and the parts he had to rework until they felt right. If you’ve ever wondered what separates a half-decent fan design from one that captures attention, this conversation is the playbook.

Best of all, Eric shares real, practical advice for anyone thinking about entering the Bricklink Designer Program — from how to present your project to what reviewers and voters really notice, to common mistakes that sink otherwise-great ideas. Whether you’re a builder with a notebook full of ideas or someone curious about the creative side of the program, you’ll get actionable tips and insider perspective you won’t find in the official guides.

Part 2 completes our deep-dive into Eric’s work and gives you a front-row seat to how a standout submission is made. If you loved Part 1, this one is the rewarding follow-up — if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, I’d recommend starting there first. Either way, tune in for design secrets, thoughtful critique, and the kind of behind-the-scenes detail that makes you look at Bricklink submissions in a whole new way.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library