Hi Designers & Makers 👋
Today, I wanted to put a spotlight on some designers making good use of their Discord Communities, because sometimes the best teachers are other designers!

Introduction: The Designer & Mentor

Unlike traditional influencers, many 3D designers are more low-key and focus on helping their members sell 3D-printed goods.

I have joined probably over a hundred Discords in the last year and one thing I like about 3D Design Discords is hearing stories from both designers and small business owners using 3D printing to bring in extra monthly income.

Everything is shared openly to help each member find success, grow their followers, and receive career and school guidance. It really demonstrates the collaborative spirit of the 3D community!

Thangs is proud to serve as a platform for these designers to grow their communities and thrive. I hope to see you there!

🤔 Why are people using Discord Private Channels? Why not public?

Designers use private Discord channels to share selling tips with their members who have purchased Commercial Use Licenses.

By sharing go-to-market strategies for Craft Faires, Print Farms, and Etsy stores, members are more likely to renew their licenses, because they’re making money consistently.

By joining, you too can learn how both designers and makers are successfully selling.

Ready to join? Check out the designer profiles I recommend below:

Built Over Bot

• See what sellers are MSRPing their keychains and articulated models for.
• Get connected to both Thangs and non-Thangs designers who enjoy sharing knowledge and making money together.
• Importantly, this designer understands their buyers and has been in the industry for over 2 years now.
• Proof of successful selling is posted almost every week, so definitely worth a subscription to learn strategies.

Gazzaladra

• A traditionally trained industrial designer who has broken from those chains and is now well known for his biomorphic designs.
• Discord is exclusively private to members, where he shares R&D process with his members.
• Give input and learn about future designs before everyone else.
• Some of the most unique and functional designs available, so it’s worth a subscription alone to sell his models.
• As a bonus, probably one of the most welcoming designers I know :)

Fotis Mint

• The humble artist from Hades, this 3D designer has been designing since 2015.
• Commercial Licenses are available for all of his original designs, so it’s worth a subscription alone to sell his models.
• Painting: You can learn from not just Fotis but also the Fotis network of makers who have great design and artistic talent.
• You can learn from painting tutorials they have included, or see how others are making money with 3D Printing.
• A great opportunity to learn from someone who has been working in 3D design for almost a decade.

Meliora 3D

• Meliora 3D is well known for its cute. articulated models.
• Discord is one of the most active I’ve seen of sellers, who are successfully selling out tables of prints.
• Similar to other Discords, members get access to a private channel where tips are shared with members!
• Pictures from successful events are posted almost every week.

MysticMesh3D

• MysticMesh3D is a well-known seller on YouTube and TikTok, which focuses on selling physical goods for profit.
• He also incorporates his members into his R&D process. For example, his sellers needed a dragon model, comparable to Cinderwing, and then he made one for them so they could boost their sales!
• His Discord is extremely active, and members get access to private channels where tips are shared with members.
• Proof of success is posted every week, by MysticMesh3D and commercial license sellers.
• There’s also a process to stop illegal sales of models. An amazing community from an ethical role model and creator.

3D Design Bros

• Entrepreneur turned 3D printing enthusiast, turned 3D model designer, and creator of the only web application designed for 3d print farms to become profitable.
• This creator shares real Profit & Loss (P/L) statements with his members. He also shares how to include Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which factors in things like taxes, labor, shipping, and more.
• For people who have already successfully started a print farm but want to take it to the next level, he even offers his time as a 1:1 coach in higher membership tiers.

Discover More Designers In The Directory

These are just a few of the Designer Discords I recommend! To find more Commercial Licenses, search our entire directory below:

To learn more about using Discord to grow your business check out our tutorial or watch our Thangs Academy video on building a community with Discord with Jake from the Kit Kiln.