The Ben Ma Podcast

#4 - Jake Kaufman

After a 6-month break, Ben Ma returns to the mic with fellow ArtCenter Transportation Design alumnus Jake Kaufman, CEO of MADE_LIGHT — an innovative magnesium wheel startup blending automotive engineering with a fashion- and culture-driven visual language. Together they talked about: • The story behind Made Light — from idea to launch at Monterey Car Week • Building a brand that feels more like a fashion label than a car-parts company • Designing and testing magnesium wheels with help from Oil Stain Lab (IG:@oilstainlab) • The business side of running a small, lean startup • Finding creative balance after attending ArtCenter and redefining success • Luigi Colani’s influence, art-driven design, and the intersection of nature and machinery • The future of robotics, creativity, and how artists might work with—not against—intelligent machines • Building community, staying human, and planning a future art collaboration Guest 🎨 Jake Kaufman — @j.harris.art (https://instagram.com/j.harris.art) 🚗 Made Light Wheels — @madelightwheels (https://instagram.com/madelightwheels) | https://madelightwheels.com Host 🎙️ Ben Ma — IG: @benma.co @thebenmapodcast If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on design, art, entrepreneurship, and the future of everything, please subscribe and share this episode with a friend!

#2 Renard Woods

Renard Woods is the founder and creative director of Renard Woods. Follow him on Instagram @renardwoods.Keywords: American History, Race Ideology, Christianity, AI, God, China, RED, Healthcare

#1 Jim Zhong

Jim Zhong is a Transportation & 3D CAD designer currently in his final year at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. You can check out his design works on: jimzdesign.com, and follow him on Instagram @zhong_zihang