We’re looking forward to introducing you to Manuel Perugini. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Manuel, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’ve always been afraid of not being able to find my own path in life — of ending up stuck in something that didn’t truly feel like mine. For years, I followed a more traditional route, studying chemistry and getting close to graduation, but deep down I knew something was missing: the freedom to fully express myself and to build something that truly represented who I am.
Discovering 3D printing changed everything. It allowed me to combine my passion for the pop, nerd, and geek worlds — which I’ve always cherished since childhood — with the opportunity to create and work independently.
Today, I feel like I’m genuinely building my own path, step by step. I might not know exactly where it will lead me, but I know it’s a road I’ve chosen consciously and courageously. And that freedom — to choose, to learn, to create — makes me proud and fulfilled, because every success, every mistake, every step forward depends entirely on me. That, to me, is what it truly means to follow your own destiny.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Manuel Perugini, and I’m the founder of FORGEBOUND 3D, a young brand dedicated to creating 3D printed pieces inspired by the pop, nerd, and geek worlds.
Even though my background is in a completely different field — chemistry — I realized that my true path was combining creativity, technology, and freedom. 3D printing gave me the chance to express everything I love: from video games and anime to comics and movies, by bringing unique objects and collectibles to life.
What makes FORGEBOUND 3D special is my deep dedication to quality and respect for every customer. I’m a perfectionist by nature; I believe that anyone who chooses one of my creations deserves the very best, no matter the price. Whether it’s a small gadget or a more complex piece, I always put the same care and attention into every detail, because respect for the people who support my work is essential to me.
But what truly sets FORGEBOUND 3D apart is its ability to create what doesn’t yet exist — the things people dream of but can’t find anywhere else. That’s actually how it all began: one day at a convention, I saw a collectible inspired by an old PlayStation 1 game I loved, but it was too expensive for me. That moment sparked something inside me. I thought, “If I had a 3D printer, I could make it myself.” That curiosity turned into passion — and that passion became the foundation of my business.
My goal is to keep growing, bringing FORGEBOUND 3D to conventions and soon online, building a bridge between creativity, pop culture, and digital craftsmanship. I want every piece I make to tell a story — and for everyone who owns one to feel they’re holding something special, crafted with love, precision, and respect.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped the way I see myself is the one I have with my boyfriend. Through his example and his journey, I’ve learned that it’s never too late to believe in yourself and become the best version of who you are.
Watching him grow and build his own path with dedication and hard work has taught me the value of perseverance, confidence, and resilience. He’s helped me understand that change is always possible — that you can improve every single day — and that the most important thing is to never give up, even when things get difficult.
Thanks to him, I’ve learned to look at myself with more kindness, to recognize my progress, and to appreciate what I’m building with my own hands.
At the same time, the support of my mother and my sister has strengthened this vision. They’ve always believed in my value and in my dreams, encouraging me to follow what I love.
Together, these relationships have helped me build a stronger, more confident, and more authentic image of myself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “Never underestimate yourself and always believe in who you are, even when things feel uncertain or difficult. Your passions and dreams have value, and if you truly believe in them, you will find the strength to build your path and create something unique.”
I would want my younger self to know that mistakes, fears, and doubts are part of the journey, but they should never stop him. Every small step, every curiosity nurtured, every courageous decision will help shape the person who can face life with determination, independence, and confidence in their own abilities.
It’s a message of encouragement, but also of self-love: learning to respect yourself, to value what you truly care about, and to never stop growing.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is respect. Respect for people, for their choices, for their time, and respect for the work and passion that everyone puts into what they do.
In my journey with FORGEBOUND 3D, this means treating every customer with the same attention and care, no matter the price of the product or the size of the purchase. It also means respecting the pop, nerd, and geek cultures I love, honoring what is authentic and original without falling into superficiality or conformity.
For me, respect is the foundation of everything: without it, there can be no trust, collaboration, or personal and professional growth. Protecting this value means protecting what I consider essential, both in work and in life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel that I am finally doing what I was born to do, rather than what I was told to do. I studied chemistry and was close to graduation on a traditional path, but deep down I knew something was missing: the freedom to express my creativity and to build something that was truly my own.
3D printing gave me the opportunity to combine my passions for pop, nerd, and geek culture with my desire for independence and personal growth. Every project I create, every collectible or gadget I design, comes from my will to follow my own path and bring value to others through what I love.
I can’t say for certain where this path will lead, but I know that it is my choice, conscious and authentic. This makes me proud, motivated, and determined to keep growing, learning, and creating.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forge_bound_3d/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581716305171
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