DEV Community: persadian

AI Animation for Braille

persadian — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:35:38 +0000

preview
I am experimenting with AI-driven animation layered on top of tactile inputs for LEGO Braille Bricks...

...real-time rendering, procedural animation, and adaptive systems that respond instantly to how a learner builds, touches, and explores

// designing systems that are inclusive by default and creative at scale. //

Build Apps with Google AI Studio

persadian — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:08:22 +0000

This post is my submission for DEV Education Track: Build Apps with Google AI Studio.

What I Built

Prompt I used: Build an app that generates personalized tarot cards with unique imagery using Imagen, paired with Gemini to provide interpretations and meanings for each card.

Demo

https://mystic-glimpse-ai-tarot-reader-657855663298.us-west1.run.app/

My Experience

My Development Process:

Built the core logic using Gemini 1.0 Pro for text generation, then passed image descriptions to Imagen 2.
Initially struggled with inconsistent outputs; solved by adding strict output formatting rules.
Integrated user feedback loops (e.g., "Generate another card for the same query").

Insights gained:

Prompt Engineering: Specificity is critical. E.g., adding "Include symbolic elements like animals, celestial bodies, or archetypal objects" improved image relevance.
Ethical Considerations: Added disclaimer about AI-generated spiritual content.
Tech Limitations: Imagen occasionally misinterpreted abstract symbols (e.g., "intertwined vines" became chaotic blobs).

Latency between Gemini → Imagen calls required optimization.

My Deployment Notes

A full web deployment would require:

Gemini API for text generation
Imagen 2 via Vertex AI for images
Frontend (e.g., React) to render cards

Cost consideration: ~$0.002/image (Imagen) + ~$0.0005/interpretation (Gemini)
Google AI Studio is great for prototyping, but deploying that app as a public web app without triggering billing, especially via Cloud Run, is very limited.
Cloud Run requires a billing account, even for the free tier.
Clearly what I can’t do without billing: deploy to cloud run or cloud functions, use backend access to Imagen/Gemini APIs without exposing keys and deploy server-side generation logic without hitting limits.
This project demonstrated how Gemini and Imagen can combine to create emotionally resonant AI experiences, ideal for creative or therapeutic applications!

Hacktoberfest 2023

persadian — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:18:37 +0000

Intro

Hacktoberfest is always an exciting time for developers and open-source enthusiasts, isn't it? And, every year brings its own unique experiences. It's a great opportunity to collaborate with developers from around the world. There's something truly special about the sense of community and the shared passion for open-source projects during this time.

Whether it's fixing bugs, adding new features, or simply improving documentation, I've found it incredibly rewarding to contribute to various open-source projects. It's not only a chance to give back to the community but also a fantastic way to learn from others and hone your coding skills.

Highs and Lows

There have been quite a few light-bulb moments. One of the highlights was solving a particularly tricky bug that had stumped me for a while. When I finally cracked it, that sense of accomplishment was unbeatable. On the flip side, there were moments when I faced issues that seemed impossible to fix. But hey, that's the beauty of Hacktoberfest, right? You learn to adapt, seek help from fellow contributors, and eventually find a way through the toughest challenges.

Growth

My skillset has definitely seen some improvements. I've delved into new programming languages and technologies, which is always exciting. Learning from experienced open-source maintainers and collaborating with other contributors has expanded my horizons. I'm now more interested in pursuing projects that involve open-source contributions and building cool stuff with the community.

If you're participating in Hacktoberfest for the first time, my advice would be to explore projects that genuinely interest you. Find something you're passionate about, and you'll find the whole experience much more enjoyable. it's not just about the quantity of contributions; the quality of your contributions and the impact you make on the project are what truly matter.

So, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Hacktoberfest contributor, I wish you the best of luck and a rewarding journey of collaboration and learning this Hacktoberfest season! 🚀

#hacktoberfest2020

persadian — Thu, 13 May 2021 16:37:09 +0000

+8PR

8 months later our #contribution to #openSource @darjyo donated the proceeds to plant a tree and the developer in me chose the limited edition swag🙊

@github @thedigitalocean @intel @thepracticaldev @jetbrains @cockroachdb @circleci >>> Creating a better software ecosystem.

Help me ofset our CO2 emmisions here: https://tree-nation.com/seeds/view/1568927 @treenation_org

+5PR

persadian — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:05:43 +0000

limited tee, or plant a tree...
...either way I completed my 4 Pull Requests for #Hacktoberfest

#hacktoberfest2019

persadian — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:48:41 +0000

participated in #hacktoberfest, I contributed +7 pull requests on github and received my swag in the post this week