MGI Postdoctoral Researcher's Small Business Brings Imagination and Science to Life
Matt Schnizlein, Ph.D., clearly knows that good things come in small packages. As
a second-year Postdoctoral researcher in Sean Crosson’s lab in the MSU Dept of Microbiology,
Genetics, & Immunology, Schnizlein’s research focuses on how microscopic bacteria
interact with the gut environment. When he’s not in lab, Schnizlein has another job
focusing on small objects: his company, Inktree Miniatures.
Matt Schnizlein, Ph.D., founder of Inktree Miniatures
Inktree Miniatures sells small-scale 3D resin models. Their primary focus is on providing figurines for players of role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). However, they also have the technical expertise to do custom CAD modeling and have created models of everything from bacteriophage attacking bacteria to miniature toes to insert in crocs.
Resin model of bacteriophage infection & figurine entitled “The Faceless Scholar”
Photo credit: Inktree Miniatures
Schnizlein’s interest in making figurines grew out of his love of gaming. “I played a lot of games growing up; both my immediate and extended family are avid card game players. That morphed into board games, and I had a professor in undergrad who hosted weekly board game nights at his house. Eventually, in grad school, I met some friends who were playing a version of D&D called Pathfinder, and it all built from there.”
Last summer, Schnizlein was running a D&D campaign for his friends when his brother happened to purchase a 3D printer. Matt asked him to print miniatures for his players so that “instead of a little piece of cardboard, they could have something that looks like the person they’re impersonating.” The models were extremely popular. “The players spent at least 40 minutes nerding out about them,” he said.
Schnizlein explained that there is an online platform where people can design their own figurines which Inktree subsequently purchases and prints. “It definitely increases the immersion when you’re not just hearing what you’re interacting with, but you’re seeing it as well.” Inktree offers further customization by printing in different colors of resin, including glow-in-the-dark, and they are currently exploring the potential of hiring an artist to add custom painting.
Inktree Miniature’s 3D printer
“I was hooked by the ability to take an idea and a vat of liquid and create whatever you want,” says Schnizlein. “It started out as printing items for myself, but I had been looking for a hobby that I could have fun with and also make a little on the side, and I really enjoy doing this and want to share that enjoyment with others.”
Inktree Miniatures is a family business. Matt is the founder and CEO, his brother, Tim, runs the CAD modeling side of the business, and his partner, Nick, is the company’s social media coordinator.
If you’re interested in learning more about creating your own custom miniatures, reach out to Matt on facebook, Instagram (@inktreeminiatures), or the company’s website: http://inktreeminis.com.
