Lego DOTS


Lego DOTS is a discontinued Lego theme based on multiple shapes and colourful tiles, with 1×1 elements intended to decorate the products. These include wearable wristbands and decorative room objects that can be individually customised. The theme includes over 30 mood tiles including facial expressions, a music note, a cosmic planet, star night and paw print. The theme was first introduced in March 2020. In January 2023, The Lego Group announced Lego DOTS was discontinued in December 2023.

Overview

Lego DOTS is an arts and crafts theme that encourages designing with 1×1 tiles on either a constructed object, an 8×8 plate or a wristband. The product line focuses on arts and crafts. Each set features DOTS bracelets and room décor.
In addition, HOUSE OF DOTS, an interactive house with an eight-foot slide, was launched in London. London's Coal Yard Drops hosted the launch of Lego DOTS at the HOUSE OF DOTS. The unique art installation is a collaboration between artist Camille Walala and The Lego Group, designed to encapsulate everything about the new product line. During the launch of Lego DOTS, The Lego Group invited artist Camille Walala to design the HOUSE OF DOTS.
In 2020, Lego Masters USA judge and Lego Design Lead Amy Corbett who working on her current project with her design team is Lego DOTS, where they work to customize daily items like jewelry and picture frames.
In 2022, a Lego DOTS event was launched in London Westfield shopping centre from 30 May 2022 until 5 June 2022.

Development

During the development process of the Lego DOTS theme, Lego design lead and Lego Masters judge Amy Corbett explained how 1×1 tiles became the foundation of Lego DOTS and commented, "We tried out lots of different things and thinking about what creativity means for the kids. How do kids who think they can't achieve success with Lego achieve success quite quickly, so we can prove to them that Lego is something that works for them? The 1×1 tile really was a great way to have this great intuitive creative experience where you don't need a lot of guidance and instruction and you very quickly can succeed – but you can also grow and master it, and get better at it."
Lego designers Laura Perron and Chiara Biscontin discussed their work on LEGO DOTS and explained how the theme was developed. Laura Perron explained, "It's all about experimentation and failing and gaining success, trying things that work and trying things that doesn't work." Chiara Biscontin explained, "As a designer our aim is to create something where kids would feel they can create it and make it their own and not doubt themselves," and continued, "DOTS is a new way to express yourself in a really simple and intuitive way. The way that we designed it is that you have the plates, the brick and then the tile. DOTS is using the tile as the core of what you do to decorate that plates that than go on to a structure that is useful."
Lego Design and Lego Masters judge lead Amy Corbett discussed the foray into the arts and crafts space for Lego DOTS and explained, "We tried many different directions, but we soon found that the 2D building platform and designing through pattern making were the perfect foundation…and after a lot of looping, LEGO DOTS was born." and continued, "Finally, we wanted to showcase the patterns and creativity in a meaningful way; celebrating the designs through items like a pencil box, photo holder or bracelet. With LEGO DOTS, you can play with shapes, colours and decorations to make endless combinations. And something seemingly simple, that anyone can try, can turn into something amazing!"
Lego designers demonstrated the LEGO DOTS home décor items and shared a little of the thought process behind the set designs. Lego designer Laura Perron explained, "When designing the pineapple we wanted to make it as easy to build as possible," and continued, "So we did that in a few ways. We have these coloured layers that make it really easy to see which layer you're on then we have these large layers that make building really fast and easy.”

Launch

Lego DOTS was launched at a launch event in Central London in 2020. Later, it was launched in the USA at New York Toy Fair. As part of the marketing campaign, The Lego Group released Lego DOTS bracelets and accessories.

Construction sets

According to BrickLink, The Lego Group has released a total of 80 Lego sets and promotional polybags as part of the Lego DOTS theme.

DOTS bracelets

Five sets of DOTS Bracelets were released on 1 March 2020. The five sets were Rainbow, Funky Animals, Sparkly Unicorn, Cosmic Wonder and Love Birds. Each set included a bracelet and 32 tiles. Later, four sets of DOTS bracelets were released on 1 June 2020. The four sets were Go Team! Bracelet, Bracelet Mega Pack, Magic Forest Bracelet and Power Bracelet.
In 2021, five sets of DOTS Bracelets were released on 1 January 2021. The five sets were Mermaid Vibes Bracelets, Ice Cream Besties Bracelets, Adventure Bracelets, Monster Bracelet and Starlight Bracelets. Two sets of DOTS Bracelets were released on 1 March 2021. The two sets were Cool Cactus Bracelet and Music Bracelet. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Mermaid Vibes Bracelets, Ice Cream Besties Bracelets, Bracelet Mega Pack, Adventure Bracelets, Cool Cactus Bracelet, Monster Bracelet, Music Bracelet and Starlight Bracelets were to be retired on 31 December 2021.
In December 2021, The Lego Group revealed two new sets. Into the Deep Bracelet with Charms and Gamer Bracelet with Charms were to be released on 1 January 2022. In September 2022, Into the Deep Bracelet with Charms and Gamer Bracelet with Charms were tobe retired at the end of 2022.
In May 2022, Rainbow Bracelet with Charms was released on 1 June 2022. The set consists of 37 pieces and a bracelet. In September 2022, Rainbow Bracelet with Charms will be retired at the end of 2022.
In December 2022, My Pets Bracelet, Unicorns Forever Bracelet and Bracelet Designer Mega Pack were to be released on 1 January 2023.

Accessories

In 2020, three sets of accessories were released on 1 March 2020. The three sets were Picture Holder, Rainbow Jewelry Stand and Pineapple Pencil Holder. In addition, Mini Frame polybag set was released as a promotion. Later, three sets were released on 1 June 2020. The three sets were Desk Organiser, Creative Picture Frames and Jewelry Box.
In 2021, three sets of accessories were released on 1 January 2021. The three sets were Secret Holder, Secret Boxes and Creative Party Kit. In addition, Photo Holder Cube polybag set was released as a promotion. Three new sets of room décor were released on 1 June 2021. The three sets were Pencil Holder, and Multi Pack – Summer Vibes. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Pineapple Pencil Holder, Desk Organizer, Creative Picture Frames, Jewelry Box, Secret Holder and Secret Boxes were to be retired on 31 December 2021. In September 2022, Pencil Holder will be retired at the end of 2022.
In December 2021, The Lego Group revealed the Cute Banana Pen Holder would be released on 1 January 2022. The set consists of 438 pieces and a pen holder. In addition, a promotional polybag set namely Pineapple Photo Holder and Mini Board will be released as well.
In 2022, The Lego Group revealed two new sets named Message Board and Big Message Board would be released on 1 March 2022. In September 2022, Big Message Board was retired at the end of 2022.
In May 2022, Ice Cream Picture Frames & Bracelet was released on 1 June 2022. The sets consists of 474 tiles. The set included three ice-cream-themed picture frames and a bracelet. In September 2022, Ice Cream Picture Frames & Bracelet was retired at the end of 2022. In addition, Cute Panda Tray and Big Box were released on 1 June 2022. Cute Panda Tray consists of 517 tiles and Big Box consists of 479 tiles.
In December 2022, Creative Animal Drawer was released on 1 January 2023. The set consists of 643 tiles and a rectangular drawer.

Extra DOTS

Extra DOTS Series 1 was released on 1 March 2020. The set consists of 109 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Extra DOTS Series 1 was retired at the end of 2021.
Extra DOTS Series 2 was released on 1 June 2020. The set consists of 109 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Extra DOTS Series 2 was retired at the end of 2021.
Extra DOTS Series 3 was released on 1 January 2021. The set consists of 107 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Extra DOTS Series 3 was retired at the end of 2021.
Extra DOTS Series 4 was released on 1 March 2021. The set consists of 105 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Extra DOTS Series 4 was retired at the end of 2021.
Extra DOTS Series 5 was released on 1 June 2021. The set consists of 120 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In October 2021, The Lego Group announced the Extra DOTS Series 5 was retired at the end of 2021.
Extra DOTS Series 6 was released on 1 January 2022. The set consists of 118 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In September 2022, Extra DOTS Series 6 will be retired at the end of 2022.
Extra DOTS Series 7 - Sport was released on 1 June 2022. The set consists of 115 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets. In September 2022, Extra DOTS Series 7 - Sport was retired at the end of 2022.
Extra DOTS Series 8 – Glitter and Shine was released on 1 January 2023. The set consists of 115 tiles and offers builders to add-on to the DOTS Bracelet and room décor sets.