The LEGO Ideas theme, which started in 2008 as an offshoot of the Japanese website Cuusoo, then formally known as LEGO Cuusoo, is based around a website which allows users to submit ideas for LEGO products to be turned into potential sets available commercially. If fellow users in the LEGO Ideas community up vote the project to 10000 then LEGO Group has a committee which votes on whether to build the set and release it. If the project is approved and cleared for production, it is developed and later released as an official set under the "LEGO Ideas" banner and the original designer receives 1% of the royalties and a number of free sets. Typically, a few projects are approved a year and most are rejected due to various restrictions.
2021 LEGO Sets
In 2021, LEGO continued its trajectory of product expansion and innovation. One notable addition was the "LEGO VIDIYO" theme, introduced in partnership with Universal Music Group, which combined physical sets with a digital music video making experience. The company also expanded the "LEGO Art" series, allowing adults and older fans to create wall art based on various franchises. Existing themes like "Star Wars," "City," "Technic," and others received new set additions. Sustainability efforts were underscored with the announcement of prototype bricks made from recycled plastic.