Original Art

Many hours of planning were invested before the first Lego brick was laid. Estimates were made for the number of elements, colors, and types that would be needed to build a six foot tall model. The elements were sourced by MTW using Bricklink. Kellogg's supplied some artwork and small toy models of Tony. The team studied these items and a general pose was agreed upon that would give Tony a dynamic quality while not undermining the model's strength and stability.

Design Study

A 1/3 scale representation model of Tony was built with Lego. This miniature model was used as a guide in constructing the full sized version. This allowed the team to quickly investigate and iterate various stances and proportions. Construction of the full sized model by a small dedicated team of individuals took two months.

Armature

Since the Tony the Tiger sculpture would be exposed to KCC visitors, a steel armature endoskeleton and base was designed and fabricated. The steel armature supports the model and the base resists tipping.

Base

The base was fabricated from wood, covered with automotive "speakerbox" carpet. Casters on the underside of the base allow the model to be moved, and a weight tray allowed insertion of additional weight for stability.