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AI & DESIGN ENGINEER

EUGENE
UPSTON

I build AI-native interfaces, agentic systems, and high-craft web experiences for ambitious products.

Advisory + full project builds.

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ABOUT

I'm an engineer who works at the intersection of AI, Design craft, and creative technology. I help companies ship AI-powered products, build scalable Design systems, and create web experiences that actually stand out.

I work as an advisor and hands-on builder — equally comfortable in a strategy conversation as I am deep in a codebase.

“The best software doesn't just work — it makes you lean forward.”

Technology should provoke curiosity

Code is a creative medium. The most memorable products are the ones that make you wonder how something works — or what it might do next. I try to build that quality into everything, whether it's a shader, an agent, or a button.

Engagement is a design constraint

A tool nobody wants to use is a tool nobody uses. Human engagement isn't decoration — it's the whole point. I think about the emotional experience of software from the start: the moment of delight, the reduction of friction, the feeling of being in capable hands.

Leave space for the user

The best products invite exploration rather than explain themselves to death. I'd rather ship something that makes people ask questions than something that tries to answer them all. Curiosity is a feature.

Craft compounds

Attention to detail isn't perfectionism — it's a long-term strategy. Users feel the difference between something that was cared about and something that wasn't, even if they can't articulate it. That feeling is trust.

Tools first, prompts second

A well-designed tool set is the foundation of a reliable agent. I start by mapping exactly what the agent needs to do, then design minimal, composable tools around that — not the other way around.

Single agent until you need more

Multi-agent architectures are powerful but they compound failure modes. I default to a single well-orchestrated agent and only introduce orchestration layers — planners, sub-agents, parallel workers — when there's a clear need for specialisation or concurrency.

Orchestration as system design

Orchestrating agents is closer to distributed systems design than prompt engineering. Think about state, handoffs, retries, and observability upfront. An agent that works in the demo but fails silently in production is worse than no agent at all.

Keep humans in the loop where it matters

Not every decision should be autonomous. I'm opinionated about where to add human checkpoints — especially for irreversible actions. The goal is trustworthy automation, not blind automation.

AI & Agentic Engineering

Claude API integrations, multi-agent pipelines, AI-native product features, streaming chat interfaces, and autonomous workflows.

Claude APIVercel AI SDKLangChainAgentic Systems

Design Engineering

High-quality React and Next.js applications. Design systems at scale, TypeScript-first codebases, and polished component libraries.

ReactNext.jsTypeScriptDesign Systems

Creative & 3D Engineering

Interactive 3D experiences for the web using WebGL and GLSL shaders. Spatial computing, data visualization, and immersive product demos.

Three.jsR3FWebGLGLSL

Full-Stack / SaaS

End-to-end product builds. Node.js backends, database design, API architecture, and deployment pipelines for early-stage and scaling products.

Node.jsSaaSAPIsPostgreSQL

Available for advisory retainers, project builds, and technical co-founder engagements. I take on a small number of clients at a time — so when I'm in, I'm fully in.

HIRE ME

STATUS: AVAILABLE

|RESPONSE: < 24H

I take on a small number of engagements at a time. If you have an interesting problem, let's talk.

Engagement Types

AI Feature Build

Ship AI capabilities into your existing product

Agentic Systems

Design and build multi-agent workflows and automations

Technical Advisory

Strategic guidance on AI/frontend architecture decisions

Full Product Build

End-to-end from design to deployed product

Work With Me

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CLIENTS & WORK

Selected engagements. Scroll the 3D gallery to explore projects directly.

Todd Tally

Full-Stack / SaaS Build · 2026

Next.jsNode.jsSaaS

[+]

SCOPEFull ownership of the build end-to-end — proactively making technical decisions so the founder could stay focused on product.

BUILDLed the Wurkbox build end-to-end with minimal input needed from the founder. Took full ownership of technical decisions, keeping the project moving proactively. The client plans to use Eugene as their ongoing development partner for all future work.

RESULTClient plans to use Eugene as their ongoing development partner for all future needs.

Spaceport

Full-Stack / Platform Engineering · 2026

OpenClawVercel WorkflowsComposioAgentic AITypeScript

[+]

SCOPEAgentic operating system for businesses — cloud tools that abstract CRM, research, comms, and ops behind a discover → design → execute → learn loop.

BUILDSidechat is a Spaceport product: an AI agentic platform where businesses run operations through composable cloud tools instead of stitching together point solutions. The Agent Operating System (AOS) tackles hard business problems on a repeating cycle — discover context, design the approach, execute across connected services, then learn and compound. Agents run on OpenClaw. I built the durable workflow engine on Vercel Workflows, a notification system, Composio integrations, and a fleet of browser-navigation tools for parallel in-flow browser tasks — plus client onboarding and solution design with customers.

RESULTShipped core platform infrastructure — durable workflows, integrations, and parallel browser automation — powering live agent operations on side.chat.

Tectonic Labs

Full-Stack / Web3 · 2025

Web3Browser ExtensionPost-Quantum Cryptography

[+]

SCOPEBrowser wallet built for quantum-secure blockchain transactions — post-quantum cryptography for the EVM, pre-launch.

BUILDBuilt the browser extension wallet for Tectonic Labs — a post-quantum cryptographic security infrastructure company backed by alumni from Coinbase, Google, MIT, and the Ethereum Foundation. The wallet supports Falcon-512 signatures for quantum-resistant EVM transactions. Full details coming soon — project not yet officially released.

RESULTDetails coming soon — project not yet officially released.

Salty Fruit

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2025

BlenderSpline3D Animation

[+]

SCOPE3D hero scene and interactive card selector in Spline and Blender for a DeFi launchpool platform.

BUILDProduced 3D hero page animations and an interactive card selector in Blender and Spline for Perq Finance — a DeFi launchpool where users stake to earn tokens before TGE. The goal was to create visually distinctive 3D assets that cut through the noise of the crowded DeFi space.

RESULTDelivered a visually distinctive set of 3D hero assets for the DeFi platform.

Aries

3D & Creative Engineering · 2024

Spline3D Animation3D Modelling

[+]

SCOPECustom 3D animations and models in Spline for a commission-free trading platform — optimised for real-time web rendering at launch.

BUILDBuilt fully custom 3D animations and interactive models in Spline for the Aries trading platform launch. Every asset was optimised for real-time web performance while maintaining visual fidelity — delivering a production-ready 3D brand experience on time and on budget.

RESULTDelivered a production-ready 3D brand experience on time for a verified $4,000 engagement.

Geist × Harvey AI

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2024

Spline3D AnimationMotion Design

[+]

SCOPEAnimated 3D logo loader for Harvey AI — the $11B legal AI platform — built through Geist Studio with a Law & Order TV show aesthetic.

BUILDContracted through Geist Studio to build an animated 3D logo loader for Harvey AI — a legal AI platform used by 100,000+ lawyers across the world's top law firms, valued at $11B. The brief called for a Law & Order TV drama aesthetic: weighty, authoritative, cinematic. The result is a faceted geometric 'H' letterform that animates with dramatic lighting — high-contrast, dark, and precise.

RESULTDelivered a production-ready animated logo for one of the most high-profile AI companies in legal tech.

Visioned

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2024

Spline3D AnimationBlender

[+]

SCOPEHero section Spline scene with a 3D logo transforming into an eye — crafted for Switzerland's first Webflow agency.

BUILDCreated the hero section 3D scene in Spline for Visioned, Switzerland's first Webflow agency. The centrepiece is a 3D logo that morphs into an eye — a visual metaphor for the agency's vision-forward brand. Described as an amazing Designer and Animation Expert who comes up with ideas to really suit your special case.

RESULTDelivered a signature hero animation that became central to the agency's brand identity.

Deck Doctors

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2024

Spline3D AnimationBlender

[+]

SCOPESpline 3D hero section and interactive project selector for a branding and PR agency's website.

BUILDDesigned and animated a Spline 3D hero section and interactive project selector for the Moonlanding Agency website. Created 3D rocket ship renders and immersive scene elements that give the agency site a distinctive visual identity aligned with their bold, space-themed brand.

RESULTDelivered a full 3D hero experience and interactive project selector for the agency site.

Snowball

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2024

Spline3D AnimationMotion Design

[+]

SCOPESpline 3D hero and section animations for a YouTube content-engine agency — training brands to build in-house franchises at scale.

BUILDBuilt immersive Spline 3D scenes and motion sections for Snowball — the agency behind YouTube's most-viewed franchises, helping brands build internal content engines. Delivered hero, timeline, and product-section animations for desktop and mobile across the marketing site.

RESULTDelivered a full set of 3D hero and section animations for the Snowball marketing site.

Infisical

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2023

Spline3D Animation3D Design

[+]

SCOPEAn infinite abstract Spline loop that morphs colors and shapes over time — created for Infisical Radar.

BUILDDesigned and animated an infinitely looping abstract 3D scene in Spline for Infisical's Radar product. The piece morphs fluidly between colors and organic forms, creating a hypnotic visual identity for the platform. Published to the Spline community as a remixable template, it reached 136K+ views, 4.8K likes, and 42.6K remixes.

RESULT136K+ views, 4.8K likes, and 42.6K remixes on the Spline community.

Bamburai

AI & Agentic Engineering · 2023

Next.jsSupabaseAI Integration

[+]

SCOPEEnd-to-end AI branding platform — full-stack build with Next.js, Supabase, and AI-powered branding kit generation.

BUILDBuilt the Brand Pro AI branding platform from scratch for Bamburai using Next.js and Supabase, with AI integration for automated branding kit generation. The platform blends creative image generation with brand consistency tools including a Vault, Brand Preview, and Style Reimagine across 50+ styles.

RESULTDelivered a working AI branding platform ready for user onboarding.

Paragons NFT

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2022

React Three FiberNext.jsthree.jsTeam Lead

[+]

SCOPELed a team of three JS devs building an immersive 3D web experience with React Three Fiber and Next.js for a Web3 gaming platform.

BUILDManaged a team of three JavaScript developers and personally wrote code using React Three Fiber and Next.js for the Paragons NFT Paraverse — an immersive 3D gaming world for the Ethereum-based Paragons collection. Responsible for optimising and creating 3D assets alongside coordinating the full development effort.

RESULTDelivered a fully immersive 3D web experience for the Paragons NFT community.

Warehaus

Creative & 3D Engineering · 2022

BlenderCinema 4DSpline3D Animation

[+]

SCOPE3D hero and brand animations for a digital product collective — immersive WebGL scenes on warehaus.co.

BUILDDesigned and animated 3D scenes in Blender, Cinema 4D, and Spline for Warehaus — a collective of creators building digital products, brands, and Web3 experiences. Delivered multiple looping hero pieces for the live site, including the strap-in launch sequence and brand vignettes showcased across their work and services pages.

RESULTShipped production 3D animations integrated into the Warehaus marketing site.

TESTIMONIALS

What clients say. All reviews verified on Contra.

“We're now working on our third project together and Eugene's work is truly exceptional. His ability to create materials to look as realistic as possible on the web is astounding, 11/10 recommend hiring Eugene for any Spline work.”

Waldo Broodryk · Client

“The 3D spline animation created by Eugene is mesmerizing and exactly what we wanted. He truly understood our brief and provided valuable supporting information along the way. The entire process and communication was smooth and enjoyable.”

Pixelida · Client

“His mix of hard skills, speed, and great communication made our collaboration easy. Hire him!”

Tim Kamerer · Client, Geist

“I highly recommend Eugene. He is a pleasure to work with and more importantly for me, he led the way with minimal needed input from me. I plan on using him for the rest of my development needs for my company.”

Todd Tally · Client, Wurkbox

“Eugene built exactly what I wanted at a crucial time when I needed it. He gave me a very fair price and got the work done ASAP. I will be hiring Eugene again for all Spline and 3D web work + blender.”

Nick Lamela · Client

“Eugene is an amazing Designer and Animation Expert. He comes up with ideas to really suit your special case!”

Aramas Schmitter · Client, Visioned

“Eugene is a rockstar. Work with him!!!”

Mark Golub · Client

EUGENEUPSTON

ABOUT

HIRE ME

CLIENTS & WORK

TESTIMONIALS

EUGENE
UPSTON