+ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Oliver Rothner, a product designer and engineer passionate about bringing ideas to life through design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

Quick Overview

I’m currently working as a Project Manager at Pro2Pro, a rapid prototyping and small-scale production company, where I manage cross-departmental projects and optimize manufacturing processes.

With A-levels in Product Design, Electronics, and Computer Science (AAC), I’m now completing an accelerated Maths A-level while working 30 hours a week to gain hands-on industry experience.

My expertise spans 3D printing, CAD design, electronics integration, and product development; skills I’ve been refining since receiving my first 3D printer at age 15. I’ve designed models that have generated over 15,000 downloads online, won awards for my work in Product Design, and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible at the intersection of design and engineering.

17,020+ Downloads | Award-Winning Designer | Industry Experienced

Passion for 3D Printing

3D printing has been a central part of my life since receiving my first printer, a Creality Ender 3 Pro, for my 15th birthday. That basic machine opened a world of possibilities and sparked a journey of continuous learning and improvement. I love the creative freedom that 3D printing provides: the ability to think of anything and have the skills to design and create it from nothing.

Since that first printer, I’ve designed numerous 3D models using various CAD software, with many of my favourite designs published online for others to use freely. These files have accumulated over 15,000 total downloads across platforms including MakerWorld and Printables, a number that continues to grow daily and something I’m genuinely proud of.

I’ve never been content to simply use equipment as-is. My first Ender 3 Pro became a testbed for modifications and improvements, including designing and creating an entirely new direct drive hot-end. This upgrade significantly increased both the speed and quality of my prints. I currently use Fusion primarily for CAD work but have also gained experience with Spinfire and Autodesk Inventor, with plans to expand into Solidworks and Powershell.

I’ve since acquired four 3D printers total. While my first two have become somewhat obsolete with technological advances, I have plans to use my newest Elegoo Centauri Carbon to help me design and build a completely custom 3D printer from scratch, reusing as many parts from my older machines as possible.

Early Influences

Although I only began 3D printing at 15, my fascination with building and creating things goes back much further. I’ve been told that as a child, I would take apart anything I could get my hands on and then reassemble it, often with some sort of improvement added. This natural curiosity about how things work and how they can be made better has been a constant throughout my life and directly informs my approach to design and engineering today.

3D printing isn’t my only technical interest. I also love creating electronic circuits and projects in my spare time, which has proven extremely useful and fits perfectly with 3D printing. This combination allows me to integrate electronics into my designs, creating functional products that merge mechanical and electrical engineering.

Education & Recognition

I recently completed A-levels at Shrewsbury Colleges Group in Product Design, Electronics, and Computer Science, achieving grades of AAC respectively. I’m now studying Maths A-level through the National Extension College via an accelerated course that allows me to complete it in less than a year while working 30 hours a week at Pro2Pro. This combination of study and work is demanding but provides an ideal foundation for my career goals.

One of my proudest achievements was winning an award at a college-wide event called ‘The Show’ for my Product Design final NEA project. This project involved designing, planning, and manufacturing a fully functioning prototype of a filament dryer and storage device for FDM 3D printers. The device continuously measures and regulates its internal environment to create optimal conditions for 3D printing materials, preventing surface defects and material degradation that can affect strength and quality.

The project integrated my passion for both electronics and 3D printing. I used a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller along with a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor, a fan for air circulation, a heating element, and numerous other components to create an autonomously regulated system. This award recognized not just the technical achievement but also my creativity and ability to identify real problems and engineer practical solutions.

What Drives Me

At my core, I’m driven by the desire to understand how things work and to make them better. Whether I’m optimizing a manufacturing process at Pro2Pro, designing a new 3D printable model, or integrating electronics into a product, I approach each challenge with curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail.

Design to Refine isn’t just the name of my website—it’s my philosophy. Great design rarely appears fully formed; it emerges through iteration, testing, and continuous refinement. This mindset has served me well in both my professional work and personal projects, and it’s something I bring to everything I do.

Looking Ahead

My goal is to continue growing at the intersection of design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. I’m committed to expanding my technical skills, taking on increasingly complex projects, and contributing meaningfully to the field of product development. Through this website, I share my projects, insights on 3D printing and product design, and the lessons I learn along the way, both to help others and to document my own journey.

If you’d like to discuss projects, opportunities, or simply talk about design and engineering, please feel free to reach out via my contact page.

Beyond Design

Outside of engineering and design, I hold a PADI Advanced Diver certification and earned the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, demonstrating my commitment to continuous learning and challenging myself in diverse environments.

REFERENCE EXTRACTS

Testimonials

CHARLOTTE BROCK
"Ollie is a very capable designer and maker of products. He has produced a portfolio of work that demonstrates his ability to undertake and analyse research." - Product Design Lecturer
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Kirsten Butler
"Overall, Oliver is a capable and resilient mathematics student who has demonstrated strong improvement and is well-placed to succeed in mathematically-demanding environments in the future.” - Maths lecturer
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Peter Grue
"Ollie is a dedicated and likable student who consistently puts forth effort both in and out of the classroom. He has shown substantial progress in computer science, grasping and applying concepts effortlessly." - Computer science lecturer
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Richard Allen
"He shows a genuine enthusiasm for electronics. He never just does the minimum. He is self-motivating, and he is very good at working independently." - Electronics Lecturer
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Charlotte Brock
"Ollie is able to work independently and with confidence to produce accurate and well-made products, using a variety of materials and techniques." - Product design lecturer
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Mrs. Heartley
“Oliver consistently worked hard throughout the course. His homework was always completed to the highest quality, and he attended intervention every week to ensure he achieved his full potential. Oliver was always supportive of his peers.” - Head of Design and Technology
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Charlotte Brock
"He is recommended for further study or employment in any area of design or engineering." - Product design lecturer
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Richard Allen
“Ollie has an excellent attitude towards his studies, and he is a pleasure to teach. He is a likeable and conscientious student. He always works very hard." - Electronics lecturer
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Peter Grue
"Ollie has made notable strides in C# programming, aiming for intricate solutions. Whether working with peers or on his own, Ollie stays engaged and focused throughout the course." - Computer science lecturer
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CHARLOTTE BROCK
"He is able to use his research to develop interesting and thoughtful design ideas, which he is able to communicate via a range of techniques, with a particular skill in using CAD." - Product Design Lecturer
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Richard Allen
"He is a superb student that I feel will continue to improve. He has a bright future in electronics if he wishes it.” - Electronics lecturer
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Where I am Currently Based