In the pursuit of craftsmanship, I walked alongside Steve Jobs on the path of design. That night, under the glow of a single lamp, I gazed at the aluminum product in my hand—my fingertips tracing over hundreds of repeated grooves and ridges. At that moment, I seemed to see his familiar figure again—Steve Jobs, wearing black high-necked shirts and jeans, eyes deep and resolute. He had never drawn for me, yet he illuminated my path to design with his very presence. For eight years, I have used aluminum like paper. I use CNC machining and lasers as my pen. I write my design philosophy in the small spaces of electronic cigarette casings, power banks, and phone shells. This journey has not been smooth, but guided by my idol, I have never stopped.

1. The Spark of Inspiration: Art Infuses Products with Soul

My design journey started with a strong belief: a product is not just a tool. It should also be a form of art. Eight years ago, I took a piece of cold aluminum and shaped it. I realized that true design gives metal warmth and soul. It makes products feel alive. Yet reality often falls short of idealistic aspirations. Early designs faced criticism for being "too artistic" or "not practical." Customers wanted speed and cost control. Meanwhile, I stubbornly focused on perfecting a single curve or improving a small detail. Countless times, I sat alone late into the night adjusting parameters just to improve precision by 0.1 millimeter. You might wonder: Is this persistence worth it?

It was during these moments of doubt that Steve Jobs' voice echoed across time: "Design is not just about appearance; it's about how things work." He made me realize that art and function are not opposites—they coexist. Apple's products move people not only because of their minimalist aesthetics, but because every detail serves user experience. This "user-centric" design philosophy shone like a beacon, illuminating my way forward.

2. Overcoming Challenges: Forging the Mind Through Failure

True design is not a sudden flash of inspiration—it is perseverance through thousands of trials. I once sought to achieve the visual effect of "CNC hidden lines + extreme oxidation." After dozens of failed attempts—either texture vanished during polishing or disappeared entirely during oxidation—I nearly gave up.

One night, I watched the iMac launch video repeatedly, seeking the perfect "invisible seam." As I looked at many test samples, I suddenly realized something important. Greatness does not come from being perfect. It comes from a strong desire to improve. I changed the blade angle and improved the oxidation settings. I spent a week testing until I got a clean, sharp edge that looked both precise and refined.

At that moment, it felt as if I were having a direct conversation with Jobs. I understood: craftsmanship is not about avoiding failure, but choosing to persist even when others would give up. It’s choosing to try again after each setback. This spirit allows me to break through limitations in every challenge, creating a design language that blends simplicity with strength. With engineering as bone and lines as blood, I infuse cold metal with the warmth of art.

3.The Power of Imagination: Approaching Greatness with Steve Jobs' Lens

Steve Jobs was not just a role model to me, but also a spiritual beacon. He taught me three things:

Details are the Soul: The greatness of a product often lies in the unseen corners. The iPhone's frame is now 10% thinner than before. Steve Jobs taught me that good design aims to create beauty in hidden places. I once tried to use a phone case to protect my iPhone. I soon realized that the case ruined its look. How could I cover up the beauty of the device? After putting on the case, it felt like the original artistic charm was wiped away.

Innovation Has No Limits: From Mac to iPhone, Steve Jobs never settled for "good enough." He always pushed the limits of what seemed "impossible." This spirit inspired my own pursuit of innovation. It drives me to explore new materials and craftsmanship, daring to try more artistic elements into products.

Design is a Belief: Steve Jobs once said, "Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life." These words have become my creed: Design is not merely a tool—it is an expression of life. Only by being passionate about ideals can one create truly soulful works.

4. Moving Toward Greatness: Letting the Company Become a Lighthouse of Design

Only a great designer like Steve Jobs can build a great company. Today, I am not just a designer—I am also the driving force behind IDA. Inspired by Steve Jobs, I am promoting the establishment of a “design-driven” culture within the company:

Every product, from concept to mass production, undergoes dozens of rounds of testing and refinement.

Every designer is encouraged to think like an artist and work like an engineer.

Each new project must ask: "Can this bring greater beauty to users? Can it meet user experience benchmarks?"

Our mission is not just to make another "Apple." We want to be the "Apple" of aluminum alloy products. We aim to set industry standards with our passionate design. We also want to deeply influence people's lives.

5.Toward Perfection, Never Ceasing to Move Forward

The path of design is long and full of obstacles. Whenever I debug the final part late at night, I remember Steve Jobs. I also think of him when I see users praising our designs at shows. He was always inspiring at Apple events. He spoke of technology with poetry; he held a simple philosophy: "Think different." In China, we also have such design philosophies—for example, the mountain-like stillness in water.

The true measure of greatness lies not in how far one has gone, but in how far one can go. Jobs taught me that from point to point, from enterprise to enterprise, one should constantly pursue excellence and move closer to the ideal. In the future, I will keep the idea of "art as the core." I will work hard on my craft. I want to make every product a masterpiece that touches people's hearts. My belief: “In my heart there is an ideal, in my hands there is strength; step by step, we will eventually reach that ideal land.” Design with sincerity, carry forward craftsmanship, and together build a great Chinese design brand.

I follow Jobs' footsteps, moving steadily toward my ideal. He was in the West, I am in the East; he made smartphones, and I craft mobile phone cases.

— A craftsman passionate about metal product design, inspired on November 9, 2025, writing these words as a dedication to his ideals.