Why LEGO 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet isn't as shiny as the Star Wars prop

An interview with LEGO Star Wars designers has revealed why 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet isn't as shiny as the version in the Star Wars show.

The official Star Wars website has published an interview with design manager Michael Lee Stockwell as well as other members of the LEGO Star Wars design team discussing the development of the newly-revealed collection of LEGO Star Wars helmets, including an explanation for the colour scheme of 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet.

“Mando’s helmet is made of polished Beskar metal, and I knew before I even started that metalizing all of the elements used in the design of the helmet was not a realistic option," explained Michael Lee Stockwell.

"When you look at any polished metal surface, it is the contrast of highlight and shadow together with the tone of the actual metal that determines how you perceive the shape of the object. In the case of a LEGO model, we typically make use of colour to create these differentiations.

LEGO Star Wars 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet 4

“While studying reference images of Mando’s helmet, the feature that I found most prominent was the deeply carved cheek areas. There are numerous angled surfaces that merge here and create strong contrasting areas of highlight and shadow. I tried many different approaches, and I think the final solution addresses the challenges and stays true to the design language of the rest of the helmet.”

The minority of the model in 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet uses drum-lacquered elements to achieve the shine that Din Djarin's helmet features. While a similarly reflective prop recreation – 76191 Infinity Gauntlet – uses comparatively more shiny pieces for one angle of the build, the interview reveals that covering the entirety of the Star Wars helmet wasn't a realistic option for the LEGO Group.

You can expect to find 75328 The Mandalorian Helmet on shelves both digital and physical from March 1, 2022, but anyone in the UK, US and Europe can currently pre-order the set now to make sure you get the model on release.

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