Making LEGO Dreams Come True

Chancellor May invites mechanical engineering graduate student Marc Corfmat on the show to chat about the LEGO Polaroid camera he designed and is now available on store shelves. The two connect over their shared interest in engineering and discuss the "rivalry" between "Star Trek" and "Star Wars."

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to “Face to Face,” a UC Davis podcast
featuring students, staff and faculty innovators.
I’m your host, Chancellor Gary May.
Stay tuned for my next guest.
Hi, my name is Marc Corfmat.
I’m from Sunnyvale, California, and
I’m a master’s student studying
mechanical engineering at UC Davis.

(00:23):
I first came to Davis in 2019
to pursue my undergraduate degree
and have been here since.
I’m a researcher in the Advanced
Research for Manufacturing Systems
Lab, where I’m working on a project
to improve the efficiency of metal
additive manufacturing.
Additionally, I serve as a peer
advisor at UC Davis’
Internship and Career Center where I
advise graduate students on resumes,

(00:44):
interviewing and much more.
This year, LEGO released a Polaroid
camera set based on my design, and
I’m very proud to be able to
represent UC Davis in the LEGO
community.
Hey, Marc, welcome to “Face to Face.”
Thank you.Thanks for having me.
Thanks foragreeing to do it.
You’ve got apretty interesting
hobby here. ...
Yeah. ... And I see you brought a
sample with you today.

(01:05):
Do you want to show that to the
audience and tell us about it?
Sure. Yeah. So this is the LEGO
Ideas Polaroid OneStep camera.
So it was designed — I designed
the project based on it.
And LEGO chose it.
They finalized the details,
finalized the model, and here
it is. And now you can buy it
basically anywhere.
I know at Davis Target they have
it. So it’s very fun to see it on

(01:26):
shelves everywhere.
That’s very cool.
I think I was sharing with you, when
I was a kid, my parents actually had
that Polaroid camera, so
it brought back some memories when I
saw yours.
Can you tell us how you got the idea
to do it? And what’s the story
behind that?
Sure, yeah. So I think a lot of the
inspiration came from
the people around me, right.
So my sister — her name’s Mia —

(01:47):
she shoots lots of instant
photography.
And she has all those little
Polaroids on her walls.
So I’ve constantly been surrounded
by Polaroids in the house.
My great grandfather also shot
Polaroid.
And so it’s in all the albums,
right.
And then hearing about
pop culture — lots of people love
Polaroid. Lots of people shoot it.
So as I’m constantly developing

(02:08):
projects for LEGO Ideas,
I had always had the Polaroid
in the back of my head.
And then finally, kind of things — I
started to put pieces together quite
literally and develop the model.
And I think it turned out pretty
awesome. And it’s been really
successful ever since.
It did turn out awesome — it’s
almost an exact facsimile of what I
remember ... Yeah. ... that camera

(02:28):
looking like. So that’s pretty cool.
Do you have other LEGO
designs you have in mind, things you
want to put together?
Yeah. So I mean, I’m constantly,
I publish lots of projects —
with my brother and I — and
so we’ve done things from

“Avatar (02:44):
The Last Airbender.”
I’ve tried to get something like Mr.
Bean
to 10,000 votes and hopefully
on store shelves.
You know, there’s just lots of
different ideas that I’m constantly
churning out every other month or
so.
So, yeah, constantly things
going on.
Maybe a LEGO chancellor?
Yeah, that’d be awesome.

(03:04):
A LEGO UC Davis or something.
I couldn’t compete with Mr. Bean,
but you never know, someone might
like to see that.
So you’re a mechanical engineering
master’s student? That’s correct?
... Yes. ... Tell us about your
interest in mechanical engineering.
I’m sure it’s related to LEGO.
And tell us about the research
you might be doing.
Right, yeah. So it’s definitely
related to LEGO.
So ever since I was a kid constantly
building with pieces, you know,

(03:25):
using my creativity hands-on
to develop models and things like
that.
In high school, I was exposed to a
robotics team, and so I joined the
robotics team and their
manufacturing role.
So I was working on designing
components for the robot.
It’s part of the FIRST competition
I’m sure you’re aware of.
And so it’s really exciting

(03:46):
to actually apply hands-on,
engineering skills.
And so — pursued that in college.
And since then, it’s been awesome.
Been in clubs like Space and
Satellite Systems Club, Steel
Bridge, which is civil engineering
but engineering nonetheless.
And yeah, so the research I’m
currently doing is with the ARMS
Lab, so Advanced Research for
Manufacturing Systems.

(04:07):
It’s with professor Soshi.
And so the project
I’m working on — or basically
everyone is working on in that lab —
is really the improvement of the
directed energy deposition
manufacturing system, which is
basically metal 3D printing.
So it’s super fascinating stuff.
I’m working on a specific part that
involves thermal distributions
in the components.

(04:29):
So it’s very exciting.
And it’s like groundbreaking stuff.
So hopefully in the coming years or
decades we’ll have that technology.
3D printing technology is taking
over manufacturing. ...
Exactly. ...
And I can’t think of how many are
— I can’t tell
you how many thousands of
engineering students like yourself
had their first experience
in FIRST robotics.

(04:49):
It’s really been a place,
a training ground for the engineers
of the future in the country.
So that’s really a great program.
... Yeah.
... So you’re going to finish your
master’s degree, or you’re thinking
about a Ph.D., or
what’s next after that?
Yeah. So, I mean, as much as I love
research, I definitely do
want to go toward industry.
So I am planning on wrapping up my
master’s this year and

(05:10):
then hopefully going into
either something related to
biomedical engineering, or perhaps
even like the toy industry I think
would be awesome to kind of like
keep my creativity going with
regards to engineering.
The toy industry would seem to be anatural
fit for you. ... Yeah. ... Based
on your career experience

(05:31):
as an advisor at the Internship and
Career Center,
what is the most important advice
you would give to upcoming engineers
and other students like yourself
about how they tune up their resume,
how they get ready for the job
market, that sort of thing?
Yeah. So I think one of the biggest
pieces of advice I have for students
in general — but also for students
looking to getting

(05:52):
hired, getting interviews, things
like that — it’s
definitely like do your research in
the sense of understand what
resources you have available to you.
I unfortunately didn’t really know
about the ease of access of
the Internship and Career Center
until my junior year at UC Davis
as an undergrad.
So I think if I had known about just
how easy it is to get your documents

(06:13):
reviewed earlier
in freshman year, it would have been
so much — it would have made looking
for internships so much easier.
So I think definitely being exposed
to those resources — seeing, asking
questions, asking around, seeing if
there’s anything that could help
with any questions anyone has.
But also, yeah,
just know that you’re not alone.
Lots of students — I see hundreds

(06:34):
of students who are having the
same kind of issues and things like
that. And it’s really important
to understand that lots
of issues are being faced by so
many other people.
So it’s really, you know, there’s
resources there to help you.
And we’re definitely one of the
resources out there and would love
to help.
Well that’s great to hear the center
is really having a positive impact
for students. ... One hundredpercent.

(06:54):
... Yeah. And we appreciate you
being a part of that.
... Thank you.
... We have a little feature in
“Face to Face” we call “Hot Seat.”
And this is where I ask you some
rapid-fire questions, and we’re
looking for a one-word or
one-sentence answer.
... Sure. ... You ready to play? ...Yeah. Excited. ...
OK, so here we go.
Favorite LEGO design kit?
Oh, that’s a good question.

(07:15):
I think it’s the Saturn V rocket.
So it’s also by LEGO Ideas.
So another person also submitted the
project based on it.
Very awesome model.
OK. Have you done that one?
I have that one. OK.
OK.
Best place to study on campus?
To study on campus. I love nature.
I love just being outside.
So I think studying outside maybe in
the Arboretum would be really nice.
... Yeah, that’s a popular answer.

(07:36):
... Right. Right.
If you could meet anyone alive or
not. Who would it be and why?
Man, that’s an interesting question.
Let’s see.
I think it’d be, you know, obviously
it was nice to meet you.
I think it would
— maybe like doing a tour of the
LEGO facility and meeting the people

(07:57):
who actually design the kit.
I did have some Zoom meetings with
a few of the designers, but I think
meeting them in person would be
really awesome.
OK. Yeah.
Yeah.
Best place to spend a summer
vacation?
I love France.
I go there every other year.
I just, I love being there with
family. ... You speak French?
... I do speak French.
I’m also half Mexican, so I speak

(08:19):
Spanish as well.
And so Mexico’s also on that list.
Nice. Impressive.
OK, my favorite
question on this part of the show:
What is on the top of your playlist
right now?
Yeah. So most recently,
“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.
I know it’s a very popular song, and
usually I’m not like, you know — the
popular songs don’t really matter
too much to me. But this one

(08:39):
made it on the list.
My girlfriend showed it to me, and
I’ve loved it ever since.
... OK.
Yeah, girlfriends can be
influential.
Exactly.
OK, now it’s your turn.
You can ask me a few questions.
Yeah. So I know you
are an engineer.
And I was just wondering, how did
your exposure to things like LEGO
and Star Trek really influence your
path toward engineering?

(09:00):
Those things were really big.
I would have to say, between
LEGO and Erector sets when I was
really young and then later
“Star Trek” and comic
books — believe it or not as I got
older, and I still collect comics —
were very influential
in my decision to think about how
science and engineering can
be a factor in improving

(09:21):
the quality of life.
And that’s sort of what led me to
engineering.
Awesome.
Yeah. And then I guess on that same
pop culture question:
I know you’re a big Trekkie.
I’m not.
I’m a big “Star Wars” fan, so I’d
like to kind of get your thoughts as
to whether — what do you think about
the “rivalry”
between “Star Trek” and “Star Wars”?
And could you maybe convince me to

(09:42):
take a peek at some “Star Trek”
stuff?
You know, several years ago, I was
in an article that was sort of
taking a side in the rivalry.
I was representing “Star Trek.” One
of my colleagues represented “Star
Wars.” I actually like “Star Wars”
as well. I’m not, I don’t think you
have to pick a side.
They’re kind of different genres.
“Star Wars” is probably more
aptly described
as fantasy rather than science

(10:03):
fiction. “Star Trek” is more
hardcore science fiction, although
that’s a very blurry line.
So I’m not saying that’s an easy
black or white decision
between the two, but I think you can
like both.
I don’t think there’s any reason why
you have to prefer one over the
other.
And I enjoy reading both
sets of books.
I enjoy watching the movies in each

(10:25):
category. And so
I would say, just dip your toe in
the water and “Star Trek,” and I
think you’ll like it.
OK. Awesome.
Yeah, I think I’ll take a look.
I think there’s just so much, so
much to “Star Trek.” I think my
roommate is also a big fan, so
maybe I’ll ask for some pointers.
And then finally, so I’m a career
advisor at the ICC, like we talked

(10:45):
about.
I constantly deal with students
unsure as to whether to pursue a
Ph.D. or not.
And I know you have pursued your
Ph.D.
So I was just kind of wondering what
were your
— why did you choose to pursue a
Ph.D.?
You know, I had some really good
mentors when I was an undergraduate
who said it would be good for me to
pursue an advanced degree.

(11:06):
I had some work experiences where I
noticed that the people in
the decision-making roles at the
companies where I worked all had
advanced degrees.
And lastly, I was able to get a
fellowship that paid for it.
So I think you’re never
more prepared than you are right
now to go and pursue your
studies. So I would tell students

(11:26):
who are undergrads, if you’re
thinking about it, don’t wait.
I mean, I
think you certainly could try to
come back later in your career and
get your master’s and Ph.D., but
life has a way of interceding.
You start having bills and families
and other things that kind of
could be obstacles.
And you’re probably no
better mentally prepared than you

(11:47):
are as you’re finishing your
undergraduate career to go on
to get a master’s and a Ph.D.
Awesome.
Yeah.
Well, thanks for the questions
though. Those are all really good
questions. And it was fun answering
them and fun talking to you and
hearing about the LEGO models
you’re building.

(12:08):
Thanks to everyone for listening.
Tune in next time on “Face to Face.”
Go, Ags!