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You might know Ján Benian by his maker name, Thorin Oakenshield. His collection of fidget spinners includes some ridiculously popular models, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s showing the designs off with dazzling filament choices. Of course, that’s not all. From an adorable desk organizer to a lamp for children, plus a mini billiard table and a relaxing stand for soap (hey, we all need a break sometime), his designs offer fun aesthetics, plenty of usefulness, and well engineered ideas.

And it’s not just that Ján’s ideas are cool – they’re also award-winning! Some of his achievements? First place in the 2024 Education Tools and 2025 Ceramic Work Tools contests, and awarded in the 2022 Battery Boxes, 2023 Ropes, Cordage & Straps Gear, 2023 Building Blocks, and 2024 Dice Towers contests.

Let’s find out more about this successful designer in this week’s Designer Spotlight!

Q&A

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

Ján: My name is Ján Benian, I’m from Slovakia and I work as a dental technician. I’m interested in technical and mechanical things, I like to learn how they work. I’ve had a 3D printer since 2022 – Prusa’s MK3S+. I originally wanted it to print 3D terrain, mainly mountains. I’m fascinated by high mountains, so I wanted to make a few models. Then I found Printables and discovered its competitions and it completely absorbed me. In three years, I’ve entered 150 competition models, some of which were successful and won nice prizes.

How do you get the ideas for your designs?

As mentioned, I participate in competitions and create 3D models according to a given topic. New competition, new topic, and new model. So I have to be a creative universalist to cover various themes. I like waiting for a new topic and see whether it interests me; then, ideas come, I think everywhere – at work, on the bus, even on my bike, and often before going to bed. Outside of competitions, I like to model mechanical things, especially toys with gears. I also like modeling log cabin construction kits.

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?

When I start modeling, I immediately take into account that the model should be as easy to print as possible. Initially, I avoided overhangs due to supports, but over time I found that they are useful for printing. With moving parts printed at the same time or with puzzles, I have to fine-tune the tolerances over time so that the parts don’t stick together but move freely. These tests often cost me dozens of hours of time and kilograms of filament. Under the model, I write that I’m not a designer or an engineer, just a 3D hobbyist, and I always try to improve any shortcomings based on people’s suggestions.

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

It’s hard to say which model I like the most; I already have display cases and boxes full of them, and they’re constantly piling up. I’m always happy when a complex theme or idea is realized. And even more than success in a competition, I’m pleased by the complimentary and enthusiastic comments about a model that makes someone happy. Among my favorite designs are those with gears and bearings, of mountains, of houses and log cabins, and I also like making models with a teeth theme, since that’s my profession. And because I’m a fan of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I also enjoy creating models with these themes.

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

I wouldn’t change anything from the past; instead, I would like to focus on improving my modeling of amorphous shapes, as I still have some room for growth here. I’m glad that 3D printing exists, and I hope that from my humble beginnings when I modeled in PrusaSlicer and Tinkercad, I will continue to improve and perfect myself, make more beautiful and challenging models, and make myself and others happy.