+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

Soon, I’ll be joining ISCAR as a level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprentice, and I’m genuinely excited to take that next step into precision cutting tool technology and high-level manufacturing engineering.

My past experience as a Project Manager at Pro2Pro, a rapid prototyping and low volume production company, has exposed me to a plethora of techniques, technologies and skills which have created a strong foundation and beginnings of a career in engineering.

With A-levels in Product Design, Electronics, and Computer Science (AAC), I spent the year running up to the start of my apprenticeship completing an accelerated Maths A-level alongside 30 hours of industry work per week to build real hands-on experience from the ground up.

My expertise spans CAD design, electronics, software, and manufacturing, skills I’ve been refining since receiving my first 3D printer at age 15. I’ve designed models that have generated over 25,000 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.

25,794+ Downloads | Award-Winning Designer | Industry Experienced

Experience

Working as a Project Manager at Pro2Pro gave me exposure to a wide range of skills, technologies and techniques, laying a solid foundation for the start of my engineering career.

As a Project Manager at Pro2Pro, a rapid prototyping, low volume production and Tier 1 automotive supplier, I managed cross-departmental projects and client communications across a full range of manufacturing processes: from FDM 3D printing and metrology to vacuum casting, RIM, and injection moulding.

As of July 2026, I joined ISCAR as a Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprentice, stepping into precision cutting tool technology and high-level manufacturing engineering. This apprenticeship is expected to last 4 years and by the end of it I will not only have a full level 6 degree in Manufacture Engineering, but I will have 4+ years of applied industry experience and knowledge along with skills that can only be learnt through hands on experience and mentorship.

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 25,000 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 and have just got my first ever CNC. While my first two have become somewhat obsolete with technological advances, I have plans to use my newest Bambu P2S to help me design and build a completely custom miniature injection moulding machine 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 have just bought my first CNC machine which has excited me to learn more about this new technology.  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 its through my work, at home, or with others, I approach each challenge with curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail.

Design to Refine isn’t just the name of my website, it’s how I operate. 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

David Piper
"I found him to be diligent in his work, honest and reliable - a young man who is beyond his years with his professional attitude. I would have no hesitation in recommending Olly as a great addition to any company and wish him all the best for the future.." - Director/ Owner at Pro2Pro Limited
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Caroline Wellon
"It’s clear it’s his passion and he’s spent a lot of time ensuring it’s just right for us. Nothing was too much trouble, and he was able to work to our deadlines. Ollie’s given us everything we asked for an has gone above and beyond. We’d definitely recommend him without hesitation ." - Managing Director, O2 Agri Ltd
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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