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Dear All3DP reader, welcome to our new series, where we interview some of our favorite designers. You may have already read about Sonia Verdu (a.k.a. Shira), and now it’s time to shine the spotlight on Henrique Fontana (jajaum3d).

Henrique is a versatile designer whose models include the Mechanical Marvel runner-up Jellyfish Swimming, extremely useful Christmas tree ornament hooks, and an adorable shark pen cup cable holder (you won’t need a bigger boat for it), among many others. Given the often mechanical nature of his models, it’s also cool to see the designs in action. (Not that we watched the jellyfish swimming in loop for some time, but… we did. It’s just that captivating.)

Now let’s learn a bit more about the creative mind behind these dazzling and practical designs!

Q&A

All3DP: Tell us a little about yourself – what’s your background?

Henrique: I have a background in business and technology, but I’ve always loved making things. I’ve worked with woodworking and other hands-on projects as a hobby, but when I saw a 3D printer in 2013, it was love at first sight – it combined DIY and technology in the best way. What started as a hobby turned into both a career and a passion. Over time, I moved from experimenting with machines to designing practical and creative models, eventually turning it into my full-time work.

How do you get the ideas for your designs?

Necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s exactly how most of my ideas come to life. Many of my designs start as solutions to everyday problems, while others come from a desire to make ordinary things more fun or visually interesting. I love functional designs, but I also have a soft spot for small, playful creations that surprise people in unexpected ways.

How much does the technical side of 3D printing (e.g. supports, a design that requires assembly or one that’s printable in one piece) come into play when you’re designing? Or is your designing entirely independent from 3D printing and you later figure out how they work together best?

It plays a huge role. Printability is always a priority – I try to eliminate supports, minimize assembly, and take advantage of FDM-friendly geometries. I refine every design through real-world testing to make sure it prints well and works as intended. My process is heavily shaped by both the limitations and possibilities of 3D printing.

Of all the things you’ve created, which are you most fond of and why?

The Jellyfish Swimming – Mechanical Interactive Art is one of my favorites. Its organic motion, powered entirely by 3D printed parts, makes it mesmerizing to watch. More recently, I’ve been excited about my dashboard-inspired key holders (Fuel Gauge and Speedometer). They blend mechanics with automotive aesthetics and are fully 3D printed – no additional parts needed.

That said, my favorite design is usually my latest one. Every time I finish something new, I get hooked watching it come to life. Even after 10 years of 3D printing, I still find myself staring at the machine, waiting for that last piece to come out!

If you could step back in time and give yourself some advice from the beginning, what would it be?

“Just start.” Whether it’s selling, designing, or printing, the earlier you start, the better. Looking back, I see how much time I wasted overthinking, waiting for the “perfect” idea or moment. Some of my most successful designs weren’t the ones I expected to perform well, and others I believed in didn’t take off.

I spent months debating whether to release the Mobile Exo-Suit, unsure if it was good enough. In the end, I launched it as it was – and it became one of my most downloaded designs. The sooner you experiment, the sooner you learn what really works. Well… except for 3D printing itself – starting in 2013 meant dealing with machines that were a nightmare compared to today’s!