From Ender 3 to MakerWorld Star: How One Designer Became a Top Creator in Just 20 Months

Matthew Kimbrough—known on MakerWorld as MaKim—is proof that you don't need decades of experience or professional CAD training to become a respected 3D printing creator.

In mid-2024, he bought his first Bambu Lab A1 Mini. By early 2026, his models sit on the shelves of users around the world. German designers print his "remake projects" and photograph them next to the original products. Parents print his Minecraft swords for their children at Christmas and call them one of the best gifts ever.

The Journey Started with an Ender 3

Matthew's 3D printing journey began years ago with an Ender 3—much like countless hobbyists. He wanted to print a life-size brain scan from medical imaging software but never successfully completed the project. The printer sat unused for years.

When he returned to 3D printing in 2024, everything had changed. These were different times—a different generation of 3D printers, he recalls.

Now he runs three machines: an A1 Mini with so many hours on it he's stopped counting, an H2D as his main tool (with laser and plotter modules he uses far more than expected), and a P1S that has taken a back seat since the H2D arrived.

Design First, Technology Second

What sets MaKim apart is his philosophy: design first, technology second. Coming from a graphic design background, he approaches 3D printing as a problem-solving exercise rather than self-expression.

I consider myself a designer, he explains. Design focuses on the experience someone has receiving the outcome. Art focuses on internal expression. They borrow many of the same tools—but the starting point is different.

This audience-first thinking shows in his work. Every downloader's experience matters: How will they print it? How will they assemble it? Will they feel proud of the result?

Twenty Months to Success

In about twenty months—perhaps less—MaKim went from printing enthusiast to having a successful crowdfunding campaign and being one of the most interesting designers on MakerWorld.

He's not a full-time CAD designer. He has another job, a family, and a life outside 3D printing. He designs in the evenings and weekends, originally with no plan, no strategy, no thought that anyone would ever see what he was designing.

The reward came unexpectedly. Being able to see people print something I've designed and maybe even give it as a gift—that's been an unexpected joy.

What This Means for the 3D Printing Community

MaKim's story illustrates how far consumer 3D printing has come. Modern machines like the Bambu Lab ecosystem have democratized making—transforming enthusiasts into creators without requiring engineering degrees or expensive equipment.

MakerWorld's ecosystem also plays a role. The platform makes sharing incredibly easy from a user experience standpoint and offers tangible benefits through its reward system—filament and components earned through community engagement.

For aspiring designers hesitant to share their work, MaKim's journey sends a clear message: you don't need to be a professional. You just need to start.