The LEGO Shrek minifigures have one brilliant colour trick

The collection stays coherent by repeating a surprisingly small group of colours across very different characters.

Shrek's world contains costumes, creatures and skin tones that could easily produce a chaotic display. The designers control that variety by repeating warm browns, muted greens and small areas of cream throughout the line-up.

A cast connected by colour

Brighter colours are reserved for details that identify a character quickly. A hat, dress panel or accessory can carry the strongest accent while the rest of the figure remains compatible with the group.

The approach also makes the collection easier to arrange. No single figure overwhelms the others, and the shared palette helps even the strangest moulds feel as though they belong in the same scene.