Today we’d like to introduce you to Sian Hill.
Hi Sian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Sian (pronounced like Ryan with an S) and I am an independent creator known as Uphill_Builds on instagram, youtube, and Tik Tok! What I create can be described as fictional gadgets, and characters brought to life through 3d modeling, printing, software and electrical engineering. I got my start about four years ago during my time away at University.
My university, UTA, has what’s called a Makers Space. It’s a place full of tools like sewing machines, 3d printers, and even a woodworking shop. I had already been fascinated with the 3d printers there but I began to learn how to make and print my own designs when I noticed that older collectable toys that I wanted, such as Beyblade, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, were fetching ridiculous prices, I decided then that it would be easier and cheaper to learn how to 3d model, and recreate the toys I saw online using official reference photos of each product, then 3d print and detail 1:1 replicas for my own enjoyment.
But why stop there? We can go a little further uphill. If I can copy these designs, I can improve them. Many of these collectables that I was recreating lacked play-features and details from their source material because I was copying real products made on a budget that I myself was not bound by. I can take these designs and innovate on them while keeping the spirit of the source material alive, adding in the features that I wished the originals had to begin with. This is when 3d modeling and printing became my favorite activity, and the thing I was most known for as the years went by and my friends excitedly took interest.
And then, as I tend to do, I said “why stop there?” I love what I do so much that I want to share it with the world, So I kept climbing uphill and began posting project updates, just quick videos online for my friends to see, especially after I graduated and they were no longer nearby to peek over my shoulder at the newest thing I was making, and hence, my channel, Uphill_Builds was born! I did not expect to gain over 1,100 Tik Tok followers as quickly as I did. But the followers I did gain were very passionate about my projects, you can check the comments for yourself! But why stop there? Let’s go uphill!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle with this would be remembering to come up for air and take a break, so I experience burn-out rather frequently! This puts massive delays in my upload schedule and always leaves me feeling tired. I go to bed around 6 a.m. because I spend all night working on designs, I’m addicted to it, even if I try to sleep, a fantastic idea always strikes me right before I doze off, so I have to get out of bed and implement it before I forget, which always delays my sleep by another hour minimum! Even filling out this interview took me a long time because I kept getting distracted by my work and wouldn’t come back to this for days. Sorry guys lol. I have a bad habit of forgetting to touch base with people and I don’t get out much at all due to my work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I’m up to these days, you could say I’m a content creator now! I focus on Toy design, using mechanical engineering, 3d printing, and creativity to bring various fictional gadgets and characters to life, such as Beyblades, gadgets from the Yu-Gi-Oh series, and I even designed my own construction toy in the vein of Lego Technics, or K’nex, which allows me to build large-scale builds at a fraction of the material costs. I can fit the build with electronics and have them talk, sense touch, light up and soon, walk! What sets me apart from others in similar fields is my attention to detail and dedication to innovation as a creator. I don’t just do what works, I create something new in the pursuit of a completed build. “Why stop there?” I always say.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’d like to take this time to thank my mom, who bought me my first 3d printer as a graduation gift and always supplied funds for me to use the 3d printers at my university until I eventually got my own, she’s real cool, she also helped me mail packages to fund my hobbies! I’d also like to thank my friends for showing incredible interest in the things I like to make. The encouragement and continued curiosity that I received from all sides has been very encouraging, love you guys. I want to acknowledge and thank one of my college professors, Matthew Clark, I would not have graduated if it weren’t for him, he sat me down and gave 1-1 personal advice, helped me pull my grade together and was personally invested in my success. Finally I’d like to thank every follower I’ve gained so far giving me immense support for every video, it makes me feel very loved and seen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uphill_builds/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uphill_builds
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@uphill.builds
