Sheyn: Enhance Everyday Living with 3D-Printed Home Designs

Sheyn — a name meaning “beautiful” in Yiddish — reflects the central role of aesthetics in the work of founders Nicolas Gold and Markus Schaffer. Their Vienna studio combines architecture and product design to highlight the beauty of everyday objects, guided by a single idea: thoughtfully designed objects make life more beautiful.

Sheyn’s collection of vases, bowls, planters and lighting fixtures is 3D-printed from sustainable materials and follows a minimalist approach the designers call “Tiny Architecture.” These compact pieces fit into small spaces and harmonize with a variety of interiors. Since launching in 2016, the studio has expanded its range and gained international recognition for its contemporary design and material innovation. We spoke with Nicolas Gold and Markus Schaffer to learn about their creative process and Sheyn’s evolution.

3DN: Can you introduce yourselves and share how you discovered 3D printing?

We are Sheyn, a digital design studio from Vienna founded by Nicolas Gold and Markus Schaffer. Nicolas trained as an architect at Tel Aviv University and continued his studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, where his tutors included prominent figures in architecture. He designs the studio’s pieces, which he envisions as small-scale architectural objects.

Nicolas first encountered 3D printing during his studies, where printers were used to produce architectural models. He later deepened his practical knowledge while working with a Viennese 3D-printing startup. Today, all Sheyn products are manufactured in-house at the studio in Vienna.

3DN: How did Sheyn get started? And what are the company’s goals?

The studio began in 2016 while Nicolas was designing digitally produced jewelry—rings and bracelets—which were manufactured using wax 3D printing and cast in silver. Nicolas suggested turning the work into a business. At the time, Markus was finishing a master’s in information systems and handled the business and IT aspects while Nicolas focused on design.

Sheyn remained a side project until late 2019. Buying a first desktop FDM printer and selling early prototype objects at a Vienna design market confirmed the demand. A grant from the Vienna Economic Agency enabled the development of a full interior collection, launched at Vienna Design Week 2020. That collection became the studio’s main focus, and Sheyn now ships worldwide.

The studio’s goal is to be a leading design practice for 3D-printed decorative objects: to refine forms, maintain high production standards, and offer broad variety. Sheyn also aims to overturn the idea that 3D-printed products cannot be beautiful — with careful choices of form, color and texture, printed pieces can achieve lasting aesthetic value.

3DN: What products do you offer, and where can they be found?

Sheyn’s lineup includes vases, bowls, plant pots, table lamps and pendant lights. Producing designs in-house lets the studio iterate quickly and preserve consistent quality. The range comprises over 45 forms in 14 solid colors plus a “Blend Edition” that features five distinct color gradients, offering many combinations so customers can match pieces to their interior style.

Products are sold directly through Sheyn’s online store and a retail space in Vienna’s 7th district. The studio also partners with selected retailers—concept stores, museum shops and furniture boutiques—to reach wider audiences. Today Sheyn’s pieces are stocked internationally and available on every continent except Antarctica. Retail partners include notable museum shops and design retailers in major cities.

3DN: What technologies and materials do you use?

Sheyn uses desktop FDM printers for their balance of reliability, quiet operation and scalability. The studio designs with the machines in mind, treating technical constraints as creative opportunities to achieve elegant, printable forms.

Material choice is deliberate: Sheyn uses PLA, a biobased polymer derived from renewable resources, chosen for its environmental advantages. Working with PLA requires careful tuning—settings often vary by supplier, color and batch—so the team continuously adjusts parameters to guarantee consistent, high-quality results.

3DN: What have been your biggest lessons so far?

Sheyn’s founders learned to embrace challenges and take calculated risks. Participating in Maison & Objet early on, despite doubts about readiness, proved invaluable for exposure and learning. Similarly, moving to a larger studio space to increase production capacity initially felt risky, but in retrospect the decision accelerated growth.

3DN: Any final words for our readers?

Sheyn views 3D printing as a key element of a future local manufacturing ecosystem. In the coming 5 to 10 years, the studio expects broader access to simple 3D printers in homes and shared workshops, along with digital distribution models that protect designers while enabling reproduction of objects. To explore Sheyn’s work further, visit their online presence and follow the studio’s updates.

What do you think of Sheyn and its products? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social channels. Subscribe to newsletters from your preferred design outlets to stay updated on 3D-printed design and manufacturing.

*Photo credits: Sheyn