Heartbeat / Hardbeat by Esteban Diacono
Heartbeat / Hardbeat
Bio
Hey! I’m Esteban Diacono, a motion designer and digital artist. I’ve been working in animation and visual effects for years, always trying to explore new ways to bring movement and emotion into my work. I’ve collaborated with big brands, but I also love working on my own projects, where I get to experiment and push ideas in unexpected directions. My style tends to mix technical precision with a sense of organic flow—kind of like trying to find that sweet spot between chaos and control.
About the Work
I mostly work with digital animation, using a mix of 3D tools, physics simulations, and procedural techniques. I like to play with movement, texture, and form, creating visuals that feel alive and sometimes even a little weird. My process is a mix of technical problem-solving and artistic intuition—sometimes I start with a clear idea, and other times I just experiment until something clicks. I’m always chasing that feeling of discovery, where a piece starts to take on a life of its own.
About This Piece
For my CryptoCubes piece, I wanted to explore how much I could push the structure of the Cube while still keeping its essence. I created a system that allowed the original form to grow and react, becoming more organic over time. The process involved piling up extrusions and using spring effects to add a sense of movement and fluidity. I love playing with that contrast—taking something rigid and structured, then introducing elements that make it feel alive and evolving. A big part of my process is letting the system surprise me, seeing how small changes affect the whole, and following that until I land on something that feels just right.
Future
NFTs and Web3 started as something really exciting for digital artists—a way to connect directly with collectors, break away from traditional gatekeepers, and actually own and monetize digital work in a meaningful way. But it all happened too fast. Mass adoption never really arrived, and the space got flooded with scams, speculation, and cash grabs, which made it hard to separate real innovation from noise. I still think some version of the core ideas—digital ownership, decentralization, creative autonomy—will resurface in a more mature form, but it’s going to take time. Right now, the challenge is rebuilding trust and proving there’s real long-term value beyond the hype cycles.
