{"id":13129,"date":"2018-03-27T16:39:51","date_gmt":"2018-03-27T05:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/?p=13129"},"modified":"2018-03-27T16:40:37","modified_gmt":"2018-03-27T05:40:37","slug":"reflections-on-vassilis-chryssanthakopoulos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/reflections-on-vassilis-chryssanthakopoulos\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_13130\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13130\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1991.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13130 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1991-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1991-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1991-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_1991.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos at the Athens Mini-Maker Faire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos was an internationally acclaimed LEGO robotics designer and a MINDSTORMS Community Partner (MCP). He realized his dream of creating an innovative educational concept \u00a0though the creation of <em><a href=\"http:\/\/english.blast.gr\/\">blast<\/a><\/em>\u00a0in 2015. In 2017, he extended his reach by creating\u00a0<em><a href=\"http:\/\/blastgames.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">blast games<\/a><\/em>, an Olympic-style competition for youth.<\/p>\n<p>Vassilis passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2018. Below are reflections of his work and his legacy as seen through the eyes of his friends and collaborators.<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>Early Years as NeXTSTORM (Reflections by Maureen Reilly)<\/h4>\n<p>My first introduction to Vassilis was on NXTLOG, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Community Gallery, under the username <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwsecure.us.lego.com\/en-us\/mindstorms\/community\/profile?builder=NeXTSTORM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NeXTSTORM<\/a>. He posted 18 robots there between 2008-2009. Some might say he was &#8220;discovered&#8221; on NXTLOG. At that time the gallery hosted frequent building challenges moderated by a judging panel of MCPs, some members of the LEGO MINDSTORMS design team, and myself. At the end of 2008, roughly 9 months after his first post, his <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwsecure.us.lego.com\/en-us\/mindstorms\/community\/robot?projectid=25540ef2-34f2-4b2f-ba59-e18c8cceda91\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Magic Christmas Tree<\/a> got a shout out on the LEGO Employee Interweb by former LEGO CEO J\u00f8rgen Vig Knudstorp.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn&#8217;t long before NeXTSTORM became publicly known as Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos and was invited to join the MINDSTORMS Community Partners and share his work with LEGO fans around the world.<\/p>\n<p>A great lesson I share with kids who dream of being LEGO designers is to keep building, creating, and sharing your work. It will get noticed. You will influence others and make a difference, just like the brilliant\u00a0NeXTSTORM\u00a0Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LEGO Mindstorms NXT, Pirates and the NXTfied Theater\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IkDsre1ltvk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4>LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 (Reflections by\u00a0Camilla Bottke)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13192\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13192\" style=\"width: 223px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Product_EV3ERSTORM_mainstage-e1521307830531.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13192 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Product_EV3ERSTORM_mainstage-e1521307830531-223x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Product_EV3ERSTORM_mainstage-e1521307830531-223x300.png 223w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Product_EV3ERSTORM_mainstage-e1521307830531.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13192\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">EV3RSTORM, named in honour of Vassilis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Vassilis set very high standards in all that he did, and this definitely impacted the development and the launch of EV3 in a very positive way.\u00a0He worked closely with the EV3 team at LEGO, not only on the models themselves, but also on the creative execution of some of the marketing and communication materials. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lego.com\/en-us\/mindstorms\/build-a-robot\/ev3rstorm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EV3RSTORM<\/a>, the main model on the box is named in his honor.<\/p>\n<p>To reflect that EV3 is the 3rd generation MINDSTORMS, it was also his idea to replace the letter \u201cE\u201d with a &#8220;3&#8221; in each of the names for the hero models.\u00a0Vassilis also helped to finalize the GRIPP3R model. In addition, he is the designer of one of the original Bonus Models for the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. His model, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lego.com\/en-us\/mindstorms\/build-a-robot\/ev3d4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EV3D4<\/a>, is inspired by R2D2 from Star Wars.\u00a0You can find the instructions for this model inside the Home Edition software and the App. <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>LEGO House (Reflections by Marina Stamboli and Nefeli Birbakou)<\/h4>\n<p>RESCU3R, the robot he designed for the Blue Zone in LEGO House in Billund, is one of Vassillis&#8217; most memorable projects.<\/p>\n<p>Inspired as always, Vassilis worked hard and played with many ideas. He wanted something simple, but iconic! Even though the robot doesn\u2019t have an actual face, it expresses itself with simple movements when it succeeds, fails or needs attention, with his &#8220;nose&#8221; (multifunction canon), &#8220;hands&#8221; (flame activators), &#8220;eyes&#8221; (lights) and his funny oval body. The RESCU3R is a mix of a realistic arctic robot, with a futuristic touch added, to comply with the sci-fi storyline, plus an iconic cartoon look &amp; feel.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13185\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13185\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RESCU3\u042f-9.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13185 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RESCU3\u042f-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"579\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RESCU3\u042f-9.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RESCU3\u042f-9-300x170.jpg 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/RESCU3\u042f-9-768x434.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">RESCU3R<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I remember when he was invited to the pre-opening and he was sending us pictures of his robots dancing on \u201cice\u201d! At that moment, he became an important part of LEGO history.<\/p>\n<h4>Vassilis&#8217; Style (Reflections by Lee Magpili)<\/h4>\n<p>Clean, solid and sturdy. I loved his lines and his details. He made a limited pallet of colors seem so stark and amazing. He always managed his wires well, and found clever ways to add his signature style to all of his builds. \u00a0You always knew that he built something, and he made sure you knew.<\/p>\n<h4>Vassilis&#8217; Inspiration (Reflections by Nefeli Birbakou)<\/h4>\n<p>Vassilis was always a kid in his heart and soul. He always got inspired by children. He carefully observed everything around him like an explorer. He could get inspired by the weather, a song, and even a memory. He flowed with whatever he might be thinking about, and let that thought take shape on its own. He never waited for the perfect idea. He used an idea and made it perfect!<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;He never waited for the perfect idea. He used an idea and made it perfect!&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4>blast \u00a0(Reflections by Marina Stamboli)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13132\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13132\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/moraitis-blast-lab.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13132 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/moraitis-blast-lab-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/moraitis-blast-lab-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/moraitis-blast-lab-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/moraitis-blast-lab.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13132\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Moraitis blast lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>blast was founded in the summer of 2015.\u00a0Vassilis\u2019 goal was to create a space where technology and innovation meets learning and fun. He wanted to develop childrens\u2019 skills, such as teamwork, communication, conceptual thinking, imagination and problem solving.<\/p>\n<p>Vassilis was looking for a name for the company he envisioned. It had to be something inspirational, bold, fun, creative, international, educational, iconic, and a million other things! Vassilis\u2019 standards were always the highest! Sometimes more than 50 names per day were rejected. So one day I sent him 3 more names, blast being the third. We talked about the first one, it was okay but nothing really exciting. The second, not good. Then I insisted: why not \u201cblast\u201d? After a small pause, he wrote: Build and Learn Art Science Technology. It was perfect. blast was born.<\/p>\n<h4>Involvement in the Community (Refections by Marc-Andr\u00e9 Barzergui)<\/h4>\n<p>I met Vassilis through his amazing NeXTSTORM MINDSTORMS videos. One day we both saw an announcement to join the MINDSTORMS Community Partner (MCP) program and we encouraged each other to apply. That was the beginning of our MINDSTORMS journey and a great friendship. He became my LEGO brother.\u00a0Even though we were separated by an ocean, I talked and met with Vassilis more often then some of my local friends. We did so many things together, from joining the MINDSTORMS Community Program (MCP) to traveling the world with our MINDSTORMS creations.\u00a0<span class=\"_5yl5\">Through the\u00a0years, we traveled the world together to so many events, that we used to say &#8220;let&#8217;s meet for breakfast in [name of exotic country here]&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Vassilis was more than just a Robot Expert. His creations were always unique and his capacity to draw a crowd around his table were unparalleled. His way with kids during events, and the highly interactive games he would bring, made him an invaluable ally to the success of any show. Vassilis was a true inspiration to the global MINDSTORMS community. His work has been featured all over the world at events such as World Robot Olympiad finals and Google Science Fair.<\/p>\n<h4>blast games (Reflections by Marina Stamboli)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13134\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13134\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/blast-games-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13134 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/blast-games-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/blast-games-2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/blast-games-2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/blast-games-2.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13134\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">blast games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/blastgames.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">blast games<\/a> are a new international robotics competition for schools and students with WeDo 2.0 and MINDSTORMS\u00ae EV3. They were created by Vassilis and launched in July, 2017 in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China.<\/p>\n<p>The idea of a discipline-based international robotics competition was\u00a0inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, first held in Greece during the 8th century BC. The blast games disciplines, despite their simplicity, were designed to require extraordinary ingenuity, engineering, coding, strategy and teamwork.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blastgames.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">To learn more, visit the\u00a0blast games webpage.<\/a><div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>Impact on Students (Refections by Sanjay and Arvind Seshan)<\/h4>\n<p>Through blast and blast games, Vassilis has taught and inspired thousands of students. He has inspired countless more children, like us, who have met him at events around the world. Vassilis was a kind and patient teacher, willing to spend time with children to teach them and bring out the best in themselves. He was close to all his students, not afraid to hug them and playfully wrestle with them. \u00a0He was a teacher and mentor, but also a friend, to his students.<\/p>\n<h4>The Last Project (Reflections by Marina Stamboli)<\/h4>\n<p>MADE OF STE3L, his last major project, was presented at the LEGO WORLD 2018. \u00a0I admired the intricate details of the fingers of the hand, its complex structure, its proportions. It was a true masterpiece, a work of art.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13156\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13156\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13156 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/made-of-ste3l.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13156\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vassilis&#8217; last major project,\u00a0MADE OF STE3L<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Vassilis\u2019 building style was compact and ingenious, bold and elegant. It was both technical and artistic. It was sturdy, capable of withstanding many hours of play, but appears fluid and light. As with some of his older projects, MADE OF STE3L reminded me of Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s work.<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h2><em>Ingenious. Bold. Elegant.<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>These three words sum up Vassilis. His ideas were ingenious and original. The color palette he chose for his signature builds were bold and dramatic. His style was elegant to look at and a work of art. He will be greatly missed by the LEGO MINDSTORMS community, his students, and his friends.<\/p>\n<p><em>To learn more about Vassilis&#8217; work, visit his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/NeXTSTORMING\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NeXTSTORMING YouTube page<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wwwsecure.us.lego.com\/en-us\/mindstorms\/community\/profile?builder=NeXTSTORM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0NeXTSTORM\u00a0gallery<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/blast.gr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">blast Facebook Page<\/a>, or<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blast.gr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> blast webpage<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"also-in-this-series\">\n<h3 class=\"series-title\">Also in <q>Meet the Creator<\/q><\/h3>\n<ol start=\"1\">\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-anika-brandsma\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Anika Brandsma\">Meet the Creator: Anika Brandsma<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-yoshihito-isogawa\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Yoshihito Isogawa\">Meet the Creator: Yoshihito Isogawa<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-kevin-clague\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Kevin Clague\">Meet the Creator: Kevin Clague<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-kristal-dubois\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Kristal Dubois\">Meet the Creator: Kristal Dubois<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-arthur-sacek\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Arthur Sacek\">Meet the Creator: Arthur Sacek<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-jason-allemann\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Jason Allemann\">Meet the Creator: Jason Allemann<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-anton-vanhoucke\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Anton Vanhoucke\">Meet the Creator: Anton Vanhoucke<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-lee-magpili\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Lee Magpili\">Meet the Creator: Lee Magpili<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/reflections-on-vassilis-chryssanthakopoulos\/\" title=\"Reflections on Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos\">Reflections on Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-pawel-sariel-kmiec\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Pawe\u0142 &#8220;Sariel&#8221; Kmie\u0107\">Meet the Creator: Pawe\u0142 &#8220;Sariel&#8221; Kmie\u0107<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"series-post\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/meet-the-creator-akiyuki-kawaguchi\/\" title=\"Meet the Creator: Akiyuki Kawaguchi\">Meet the Creator: Akiyuki Kawaguchi<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/series\/meet-the-creator\/\">View the entire series<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos was an internationally acclaimed LEGO robotics designer and a MINDSTORMS Community Partner (MCP). He realized his dream of creating an innovative educational concept \u00a0though the creation of blast\u00a0in 2015. In 2017, he extended his reach by creating\u00a0blast games, an Olympic-style competition for youth. Vassilis passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2018. Below are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":565,"featured_media":13130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,502],"tags":[607],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13129"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/565"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13129"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13129\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}