Webinar for Designer Program 2028 Wave 1 was broadcast 30 July 2026 via the YouTube Channel
Brimming with insider savvy, the webinar provides builders with the firepower to command Wave 1 like a seasoned captain and chart a steady course through to the Review phase.
If the embedded video is bein’ stubborn, just tap the button below to watch it on YouTube instead…
Alex Kastelic, Designer Program Lead
Official Announcement
The Designer Program may have a new look, but the has the same old wording.
Learn about the Submission Guidelines for BrickLink® Designer Program (BDP) 2028 Wave 1 as Alex, the BDP Lead, covers updates and answers common questions. Aspiring fan designers ask questions and get clarification on the details of the Submission Guidelines.
Although, whoever updated the YouTube video description seems to have forgot “BrickLink” has been omitted from the name and is now just “Designer Program”.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Design Program Manager, imparts 54 minutes of vital knowledge, in particular yer should note…
Wave 1 Palettes
Starting around of the webinar:
The first Wave of the year is always the most challenging for builders because the palette starts from scratch, meaning it has the smallest number of parts available.
The palette from within the Studio software
However, production for 2028 hasn’t been fully “solidified” so a larger number elements will return to the palette. From 1 August 2026, another 600 parts will be added for the 2028 Wave 1 builders to utilise.
Timeframe Extensions
Starting around of the webinar:
Yer now have 14 days to submit yer designs and cast yer votes! Previously, Open Submission and Crowd Support would end on a Friday.
Now yer get two weekends to participate
But after consideration, the Designer Team decided to extend the deadline to the following Monday. This affords fans two weekends to finalise the models and support their favourite LEGO Pirate submissions.
Eligibility
Starting around of the webinar:
Due to the outcry over the same designers being selected as a Finalist multiple times, including multiple series in a row, there be a rule update.
Factor this into yer strategy
So now, if yer selected as a Finalist you must now wait a full year until yer can be selected as a Finalist again. Therefore, anyone selected as a Finalist for Wave 1, 2028 must wait until Wave 1, 2029 before they can be selected again.
Categories
Starting around of the webinar:
In recent series, Designers have been able to select Categories, this will now be capped at a maximum of two Categories per model.
“Pirate” is the only Category we need to worry about here
But select Categories which are appropriate for yer design otherwise the Designer Team will adjust them accordingly. That said, we know “Pirate” be the only relevant category in these waters.
Building Instructions
Starting around of the webinar:
A common question be: “Can I submit my design if it has building instructions available somewhere like ReBrickable?” The answer is Yes, but…
No using the Designer Program to promote yer instructions!
You must pause the sale of those instructions during the Wave in which you’re submitting the design. So that brings us to the question:
What if the instructions are available for free?
Submit Yer Model as Early as Possible
Starting around of the webinar:
Submit as soon as Open Submission starts to allow yerself a whole two weeks to correct any issues the Designer Team finds with yer model.
Aim to complete yer build by 16 September, 2026
If yer submit towards the end of Open Submission, yer model will enter a looooong line of submissions awaiting feedback… and by the time yer receive the feedback, there may not enough time to implement it before the deadline!
Series 11 Statistics
Themes Breakdown
Starting around of the webinar:
Pirates have picked up! Not a wench, the number of submissions
Building and Castle are starting to lose their stranglehold! Down from around 30% of the submissions to around 20%. Meanwhile, Series 11 attracted 61 Pirate submissions, which is almost double the 31 submitted to Series 10.
Part Count Breakdown
Starting around of the webinar:
Remember, only one or two submissions can be selected in the 4,000 part range so this be where competition is the most fierce! So lower yer part count to increase yer prospects of being selected.
Aim for 2,000 to 2,500 parts
The 2,000 to 2,500 part range may only constitute around 25% of the submissions but typically 3 of the 5 Finalists will be selected from this range. So this is the optimum part count yer should be aiming for.
However, range which could use more submissions is around 1,400 parts.
But whatever you do, don’t design yerself into the 4,000 part corner!
TIP:
Use larger elements to increase the size of yer model instead of using many smaller parts.
The webinar is best viewed on YouTube for mobile device users
But Wait… There’s More!
We’ve only skimmed the froth off the top of the barrel!
The holds more practical wisdom and clever tricks to pass the Designer Team’s review. So relieve yerself from yer duties leave and WATCH IT!
Designer Program 2028 Wave 1
As per usual, Classic Pirates has hauled in a clear, no‑bilge water rundown of the latest BrickLink Designer Series…. errrr… Designer Program Wave.
To yer stations crew, we must get LEGO Pirates back on course! So remain focused, stay vocal, and keep pushing forward with everything we’ve got.
What Do Yer Think?
Oi, ye scallywags! Have yer watched the yet, or do the Classic Pirates need to drag yer by the scruff and plant yer eyes upon it?
Port trimmed his mustache so he could watch it clearly
What be the most crucial parcel of information yer reckon LEGO Pirate builders should seize and utilise from that webinar?
Complete Yer Build ASAP
2028 Wave 1 Open Submission takes place between 14 and 28 September, 2026.
Read the 2028 Wave 1 guidelines and finalise yer design
But finish yer submissions as early as possible, for if somethin’ aint right, yer may need to correct the problem before the Designer Team will accept it.
So allow plenty of time for revision! The countdown to Open Submission:
