Three years in: Robert Tran builds web apps at Pakko, and runs Project 43 — a small studio that takes on full application builds.
By The Investigation Desk · Reporting from Brisbane, between Pakko and Project 43
Pictured: the subject, in his natural habitat.
He enjoys the whole process — going from a rough idea to something that ships. His main stack is Next.js and Tailwind on the front, with Supabase underneath and Vercel for deploys.
When a build calls for it, he reaches for AWS — Amplify, Lambda — and MySQL. Through Project 43, a small studio he started, he also helps take on larger application builds alongside the team.
A Chermside nail studio handed a whole operation, not a brochure: guest accounts behind auth, an online booking flow, an internal admin the studio runs itself, and an AI concierge — “Ivy” — that answers, designs a set and takes the booking. Next.js and Tailwind over Supabase. No accomplices on record.
The customer-facing storefront, built with the team at Pakko. The subject's prints are on it front to back — file handling on AWS, a Supabase data layer underneath.
The quoting engine that turns specs into priced orders. Examination shows a Next.js front-end over a Supabase core, a MySQL slice holding some of the pricing data, and AWS handling the assets.
An interactive 3D design platform built with React Three Fiber — customers configure packaging in real time. React and Material UI on the surface; Supabase and AWS Amplify found behind it.
A site for a wedding photography and videography studio, with a custom CMS admin so the owners manage galleries and bookings themselves. The subject worked alone on this one.
A support-worker and allied-health services site — a clear, accessible presence built to connect participants with the right care. No accomplices on record.
An NDIS support-worker services site with a configurable CMS admin — the team manages services, staff and content without touching code. Filed as a solo job.
Findings are illustrative — what he reaches for day to day, not a ranking.
A project in mind, a role to fill, or just a good question - send it through and he’ll get back to you.
Direct line
For commissions, contracts, and the occasional good argument about CSS.
The Desk
Brisbane, Australia
AEST - working with teams worldwide, remote-first.
Availability
Freelance & contract only
Working full-time at Pakko, so he takes on select freelance / contract projects on the side.