In 2018, while studying for my master's degree at the University of Michigan, my view of digital fabrication completely changed.

At first, I thought the program would just teach us how to use robotic arms, CNC machines, and 3D printers - and combine them with building materials to make practical things. Since the program was only one year, most people assumed it would be mainly technical training.

But once classes started, I realized it was very different. The professors kept reminding us: begin with a simple design idea, then use it to test the materials and technologies. Pay attention to their qualities, their limits, and even the unexpected results. Then, bring those lessons back into the design process.

This way of thinking was refreshing. It showed me that design doesn't start with design alone. It starts with understanding the materials and technology deeply.

I also noticed something else: often, the first design idea didn't work. Materials had their own "personalities," and fabrication methods had clear limits. If I held on too tightly to the original design, the process stalled. But when I accepted the unexpected results and adapted the design, the outcome became more natural - and more powerful.

It felt like running an experiment. The logical side was testing and verifying, while the creative side was exploring and discovering. The final design came from balancing the two, not just aiming to be "beautiful" or "practical."

That experience gave me a lesson I still carry: the value of digital fabrication is not about whether you can operate a machine, but whether you can use materials and processes intelligently. Intelligent design, intelligent use of materials, and intelligent workflows - these together create truly unique results.

This mindset has continued to guide my choices ever since.

2018 年，我在密西根大學念研究所。那一年徹底改變了我對「數位製造」的想像。

起初，我以為這門課就是學怎麼操作機械手臂、CNC、3D 列印，再配合一些建築材料，做出實用的東西。畢竟課程只有一年，大家也覺得應該是以「技術應用」為主。

但上課之後，我發現完全不是這樣。教授們總是提醒我們：先用簡單的設計想法，去測試材料和科技本身。看看它們的特性、限制，甚至可能出現什麼意外的結果。然後，再把這些發現帶回設計。

這對我來說很新鮮。因為這意味著設計的起點，不只是設計本身，而是對材料和科技的理解。

我還發現一件有趣的事：很多時候，一開始的設計想法最後都行不通。材料有它的個性，工法也有它的邊界。如果我太執著原本的設計，反而會讓一切卡住。相反地，當我接受那些「意外的結果」，並把它們重新融入設計時，作品會變得更合理，也更有意思。

那種感覺，就像一場實驗。理性的一面是測試和驗證，感性的一面是探索與創造。設計最後誕生於這兩者的平衡，而不只是「美」或「實用」。

這段經驗讓我得到一個體悟：數位製造的價值，不在於會不會操作機器，而在於能不能「聰明地做」。聰明的設計、聰明的材料運用、聰明的製程，三者加起來，才能創造出真正特別的成果。

這種想法，也一直推著我往後的選擇前進。