diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 8a6813e..a6f8e02 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -31,3 +31,6 @@ public/media/
 
 # superpowers
 .superpowers/
+
+# private credentials
+private/
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 82f2400..91180ea 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@calcom/embed-react": "^1.5.3",
-        "@google/genai": "^1.46.0",
+        "@google/genai": "^1.48.0",
         "@payloadcms/db-postgres": "^3.80.0",
         "@payloadcms/next": "^3.80.0",
         "@payloadcms/richtext-lexical": "^3.80.0",
@@ -1435,9 +1435,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/@google/genai": {
-      "version": "1.46.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@google/genai/-/genai-1.46.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-ewPMN5JkKfgU5/kdco9ZhXBHDPhVqZpMQqIFQhwsHLf8kyZfx1cNpw1pHo1eV6PGEW7EhIBFi3aYZraFndAXqg==",
+      "version": "1.48.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@google/genai/-/genai-1.48.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-plonYK4ML2PrxsRD9SeqmFt76eREWkQdPCglOA6aYDzL1AAbE+7PUnT54SvpWGfws13L0AZEqGSpL7+1IPnTxQ==",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "google-auth-library": "^10.3.0",
@@ -3633,14 +3633,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-wWKOClTTiizcZhXnPY4wikVAwmdYHp8q6DmC+EJUzAMsycb7HB32Kh9RN4+0gExjmPmZSAQjgURXIGATPegAvA==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
-    "node_modules/@types/trusted-types": {
-      "version": "2.0.7",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/trusted-types/-/trusted-types-2.0.7.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-ScaPdn1dQczgbl0QFTeTOmVHFULt394XJgOQNoyVhZ6r2vLnMLJfBPd53SB52T/3G36VI1/g2MZaX0cwDuXsfw==",
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "optional": true,
-      "peer": true
-    },
     "node_modules/@types/unist": {
       "version": "3.0.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/unist/-/unist-3.0.3.tgz",
@@ -6714,17 +6706,6 @@
         }
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/next-intl/node_modules/@swc/helpers": {
-      "version": "0.5.20",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@swc/helpers/-/helpers-0.5.20.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-2egEBHUMasdypIzrprsu8g+OEVd7Vp2MM3a2eVlM/cyFYto0nGz5BX5BTgh/ShZZI9ed+ozEq+Ngt+rgmUs8tw==",
-      "license": "Apache-2.0",
-      "optional": true,
-      "peer": true,
-      "dependencies": {
-        "tslib": "^2.8.0"
-      }
-    },
     "node_modules/next/node_modules/postcss": {
       "version": "8.4.31",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/postcss/-/postcss-8.4.31.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b7cb792..4e5fe4d 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@calcom/embed-react": "^1.5.3",
-    "@google/genai": "^1.46.0",
+    "@google/genai": "^1.48.0",
     "@payloadcms/db-postgres": "^3.80.0",
     "@payloadcms/next": "^3.80.0",
     "@payloadcms/richtext-lexical": "^3.80.0",
diff --git a/src/components/analytics/CookieConsent.tsx b/src/components/analytics/CookieConsent.tsx
index 0d27ab6..6336500 100644
--- a/src/components/analytics/CookieConsent.tsx
+++ b/src/components/analytics/CookieConsent.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ function updateConsent(state: ConsentState) {
   if (typeof window !== 'undefined' && typeof window.gtag === 'function') {
     window.gtag('consent', 'update', {
       analytics_storage: state,
+      ad_storage: state,
+      ad_user_data: state,
+      ad_personalization: state,
     })
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/components/analytics/GoogleAnalytics.tsx b/src/components/analytics/GoogleAnalytics.tsx
index 9e91c86..41cd295 100644
--- a/src/components/analytics/GoogleAnalytics.tsx
+++ b/src/components/analytics/GoogleAnalytics.tsx
@@ -7,18 +7,33 @@ export default function GoogleAnalytics() {
 
   return (
     <>
-      {/* Consent Mode v2 — default to denied for EEA compliance */}
+      {/* Consent Mode v2 — region-specific defaults */}
       <Script id="gtag-consent" strategy="beforeInteractive">
         {`
           window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
           function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
+
+          // Default: granted for regions without consent requirements
+          gtag('consent', 'default', {
+            analytics_storage: 'granted',
+            ad_storage: 'granted',
+            ad_user_data: 'granted',
+            ad_personalization: 'granted',
+          });
+
+          // EEA + UK: denied until user consents (GDPR)
           gtag('consent', 'default', {
             analytics_storage: 'denied',
             ad_storage: 'denied',
             ad_user_data: 'denied',
             ad_personalization: 'denied',
             wait_for_update: 500,
+            region: ['AT','BE','BG','CY','CZ','DE','DK','EE','ES','FI','FR','GR','HR','HU','IE','IT','LT','LU','LV','MT','NL','PL','PT','RO','SE','SI','SK','IS','LI','NO','GB'],
           });
+
+          // Improve measurement when consent is denied
+          gtag('set', 'url_passthrough', true);
+          gtag('set', 'ads_data_redaction', true);
         `}
       </Script>
 
diff --git a/src/components/sections/Configurator.tsx b/src/components/sections/Configurator.tsx
index 9427d1e..c2d22db 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/Configurator.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/Configurator.tsx
@@ -36,7 +36,16 @@ export default function Configurator() {
   ];
 
   return (
-    <section id="configure" className="relative bg-surface py-24 overflow-hidden">
+    <section
+      id="configure"
+      className="relative bg-surface py-24 overflow-hidden"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
+    >
       {/* Subtle diagonal accent line */}
       <div
         className="absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-px pointer-events-none"
diff --git a/src/components/sections/Discovery.tsx b/src/components/sections/Discovery.tsx
index f7edec8..6dc69e7 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/Discovery.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/Discovery.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,16 @@ export default function Discovery() {
   if (!voiceSupported) return null;
 
   return (
-    <section id="discover" className="relative bg-surface-high py-24 overflow-hidden">
+    <section
+      id="discover"
+      className="relative bg-surface-high py-24 overflow-hidden"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
+    >
       {/* Top accent line */}
       <div
         className="absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-px pointer-events-none"
diff --git a/src/components/sections/Philosophy.tsx b/src/components/sections/Philosophy.tsx
index 284b286..1ecc985 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/Philosophy.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/Philosophy.tsx
@@ -131,7 +131,24 @@ export default function Philosophy() {
   const t = useTranslations();
 
   return (
-    <section id="about" className="bg-surface py-20">
+    <section
+      id="about"
+      className="relative bg-surface py-20 overflow-hidden"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
+    >
+      {/* Ambient radial glow */}
+      <div
+        className="absolute inset-0 pointer-events-none"
+        style={{
+          background: 'radial-gradient(ellipse 80% 60% at 20% 50%, rgba(91,164,217,0.04) 0%, transparent 70%)',
+        }}
+        aria-hidden="true"
+      />
       <div className="container mx-auto px-6">
         <div className="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-12 gap-12 lg:gap-16 items-start">
 
diff --git a/src/components/sections/Process.tsx b/src/components/sections/Process.tsx
index 3a78cee..27c726e 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/Process.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/Process.tsx
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@
 
 import { motion, type Variants } from 'framer-motion';
 import { useTranslations } from 'next-intl';
-import type { LucideIcon } from 'lucide-react';
-import { Search, LayoutDashboard, PenTool, Rocket } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import {
   staggerContainerWide,
@@ -17,16 +15,15 @@ import SectionHeader from '@/components/ui/SectionHeader';
 interface Step {
   numeral: string;
   key: 'discovery' | 'strategy' | 'build' | 'launch';
-  Icon: LucideIcon;
 }
 
 // ─── Data ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 const STEPS: Step[] = [
-  { numeral: '01', key: 'discovery', Icon: Search },
-  { numeral: '02', key: 'strategy',  Icon: LayoutDashboard },
-  { numeral: '03', key: 'build',     Icon: PenTool },
-  { numeral: '04', key: 'launch',    Icon: Rocket },
+  { numeral: '01', key: 'discovery' },
+  { numeral: '02', key: 'strategy' },
+  { numeral: '03', key: 'build' },
+  { numeral: '04', key: 'launch' },
 ];
 
 // ─── Variants ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -44,9 +41,134 @@ const numeralScaleVariants: Variants = {
   },
 };
 
+// ─── Animated blueprint network (desktop only) ───────────────────────────────
+
+function FlowNetwork() {
+  // Radial constellation — center hub with curved spokes to outer nodes
+  const cx = 130, cy = 100; // center
+  const nodes = [
+    { x: 50, y: 30 },   // top-left
+    { x: 210, y: 25 },  // top-right
+    { x: 240, y: 110 }, // right
+    { x: 195, y: 180 }, // bottom-right
+    { x: 55, y: 170 },  // bottom-left
+    { x: 20, y: 95 },   // left
+  ];
+
+  return (
+    <div className="hidden lg:block relative mt-8 w-full h-52" aria-hidden="true">
+      <style>{`
+        @keyframes flow-dash { to { stroke-dashoffset: -40; } }
+        @keyframes flow-dash-slow { to { stroke-dashoffset: -40; } }
+        @keyframes node-pulse {
+          0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; }
+          50% { opacity: 1; }
+        }
+        @keyframes orbit-a {
+          from { transform: rotate(0deg) translateX(28px) rotate(0deg); }
+          to { transform: rotate(360deg) translateX(28px) rotate(-360deg); }
+        }
+        @keyframes orbit-b {
+          from { transform: rotate(120deg) translateX(22px) rotate(-120deg); }
+          to { transform: rotate(480deg) translateX(22px) rotate(-480deg); }
+        }
+        @keyframes orbit-c {
+          from { transform: rotate(240deg) translateX(35px) rotate(-240deg); }
+          to { transform: rotate(-120deg) translateX(35px) rotate(120deg); }
+        }
+        @keyframes ring-breathe {
+          0%, 100% { opacity: 0.06; }
+          50% { opacity: 0.14; }
+        }
+        .process-flow { animation: flow-dash 2.2s linear infinite; }
+        .process-flow-slow { animation: flow-dash-slow 3.5s linear infinite; }
+        .process-pulse { animation: node-pulse 2.8s ease-in-out infinite; }
+        .process-orbit-a { animation: orbit-a 8s linear infinite; }
+        .process-orbit-b { animation: orbit-b 11s linear infinite; }
+        .process-orbit-c { animation: orbit-c 14s linear infinite; }
+        .process-ring { animation: ring-breathe 4s ease-in-out infinite; }
+        .process-ring-lg { animation: ring-breathe 5.5s ease-in-out infinite; }
+      `}</style>
+      <svg className="w-full h-full" viewBox="0 0 260 200" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
+        {/* Breathing rings */}
+        <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="24" stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.1)" strokeWidth="1" fill="none" className="process-ring" />
+        <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="42" stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.07)" strokeWidth="1" fill="none" className="process-ring-lg" />
+        <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="65" stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.04)" strokeWidth="0.8" fill="none" strokeDasharray="3 6" />
+
+        {/* Curved spokes from center to each outer node */}
+        {nodes.map((n, i) => {
+          const mx = cx + (n.x - cx) * 0.5 + (i % 2 === 0 ? 15 : -15);
+          const my = cy + (n.y - cy) * 0.5 + (i % 2 === 0 ? -12 : 12);
+          return (
+            <path
+              key={i}
+              d={`M ${cx} ${cy} Q ${mx} ${my} ${n.x} ${n.y}`}
+              stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.18)"
+              strokeWidth="1.2"
+              strokeDasharray="5 4"
+              strokeLinecap="round"
+              className={i % 2 === 0 ? 'process-flow' : 'process-flow-slow'}
+              style={{ animationDelay: `${i * 0.3}s` }}
+            />
+          );
+        })}
+
+        {/* Faint arcs connecting adjacent outer nodes */}
+        {nodes.map((n, i) => {
+          const next = nodes[(i + 1) % nodes.length];
+          const mx = cx + (n.x + next.x - 2 * cx) * 0.15;
+          const my = cy + (n.y + next.y - 2 * cy) * 0.15;
+          return (
+            <path
+              key={`arc-${i}`}
+              d={`M ${n.x} ${n.y} Q ${mx} ${my} ${next.x} ${next.y}`}
+              stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.08)"
+              strokeWidth="0.8"
+              strokeDasharray="3 5"
+              strokeLinecap="round"
+            />
+          );
+        })}
+
+        {/* Outer nodes — pulsing */}
+        {nodes.map((n, i) => (
+          <circle
+            key={`node-${i}`}
+            cx={n.x}
+            cy={n.y}
+            r="3"
+            fill="#5BA4D9"
+            className="process-pulse"
+            style={{ animationDelay: `${i * 0.45}s` }}
+          />
+        ))}
+
+        {/* Center hub */}
+        <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="5" fill="#5BA4D9" opacity="0.85" />
+        <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="2" fill="#fff" opacity="0.9" />
+
+        {/* Orbiting particles */}
+        <g style={{ transformOrigin: `${cx}px ${cy}px` }}>
+          <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="2" fill="#5BA4D9" opacity="0.7" className="process-orbit-a" />
+        </g>
+        <g style={{ transformOrigin: `${cx}px ${cy}px` }}>
+          <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="1.5" fill="rgba(91,164,217,0.5)" className="process-orbit-b" />
+        </g>
+        <g style={{ transformOrigin: `${cx}px ${cy}px` }}>
+          <circle cx={cx} cy={cy} r="1.5" fill="rgba(91,164,217,0.35)" className="process-orbit-c" />
+        </g>
+
+        {/* Corner brackets — architectural detail */}
+        <path d="M 14 25 L 14 20 L 19 20" stroke="rgba(28,43,58,0.12)" strokeWidth="0.8" fill="none" />
+        <path d="M 246 175 L 246 180 L 241 180" stroke="rgba(28,43,58,0.12)" strokeWidth="0.8" fill="none" />
+      </svg>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 // ─── Sub-components ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-function StepCard({ numeral, stepKey, Icon }: { numeral: string; stepKey: string; Icon: LucideIcon }) {
+function StepCard({ numeral, stepKey }: { numeral: string; stepKey: string }) {
   const t = useTranslations();
   const title = t(`process.steps.${stepKey}.title`);
   const description = t(`process.steps.${stepKey}.description`);
@@ -94,7 +216,16 @@ export default function Process() {
   const t = useTranslations();
 
   return (
-    <section id="process" className="bg-surface-low py-20">
+    <section
+      id="process"
+      className="relative bg-surface py-20"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
+    >
       <div className="container mx-auto px-6">
 
         {/*
@@ -121,59 +252,22 @@ export default function Process() {
                 align="left"
               />
             </div>
+            <FlowNetwork />
           </div>
 
           {/* ── Steps column ── */}
           <div className="lg:col-span-3">
-            <div className="relative">
-              {/* Dashed connector line — visible on sm+ grid layouts only */}
-              <div
-                className="hidden sm:block absolute inset-0 pointer-events-none"
-                aria-hidden="true"
-              >
-                <svg
-                  className="w-full h-full"
-                  preserveAspectRatio="none"
-                  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-                >
-                  {/* Horizontal dashes across the middle gap */}
-                  <line
-                    x1="50%" y1="50%"
-                    x2="50%" y2="50%"
-                    stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.18)"
-                    strokeWidth="1.5"
-                    strokeDasharray="4 6"
-                  />
-                  {/* Vertical dashes down the centre gap */}
-                  <line
-                    x1="0%" y1="50%"
-                    x2="100%" y2="50%"
-                    stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.18)"
-                    strokeWidth="1.5"
-                    strokeDasharray="4 6"
-                  />
-                  <line
-                    x1="50%" y1="0%"
-                    x2="50%" y2="100%"
-                    stroke="rgba(91,164,217,0.18)"
-                    strokeWidth="1.5"
-                    strokeDasharray="4 6"
-                  />
-                </svg>
-              </div>
-
-              <motion.div
-                variants={staggerContainerWide}
-                initial="hidden"
-                whileInView="visible"
-                viewport={viewportOnce}
-                className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-5"
-              >
-                {STEPS.map((step) => (
-                  <StepCard key={step.key} numeral={step.numeral} stepKey={step.key} Icon={step.Icon} />
-                ))}
-              </motion.div>
-            </div>
+            <motion.div
+              variants={staggerContainerWide}
+              initial="hidden"
+              whileInView="visible"
+              viewport={viewportOnce}
+              className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-5"
+            >
+              {STEPS.map((step) => (
+                <StepCard key={step.key} numeral={step.numeral} stepKey={step.key} />
+              ))}
+            </motion.div>
           </div>
 
         </div>
diff --git a/src/components/sections/SelectedWorks.tsx b/src/components/sections/SelectedWorks.tsx
index 390ed8c..6a434d8 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/SelectedWorks.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/SelectedWorks.tsx
@@ -286,7 +286,16 @@ export default function SelectedWorks() {
   const secondaryProjects = PROJECTS.filter((p) => !p.featured);
 
   return (
-    <section id="work" className="bg-surface-low py-20">
+    <section
+      id="work"
+      className="bg-surface-low py-20"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
+    >
       <style>{`
         @keyframes dashed-drift {
           0%   { background-position: 0 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%; }
diff --git a/src/components/sections/TrustBar.tsx b/src/components/sections/TrustBar.tsx
index 54dde47..ae6606d 100644
--- a/src/components/sections/TrustBar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sections/TrustBar.tsx
@@ -112,6 +112,12 @@ export default function TrustBar() {
     <section
       aria-label="Trust indicators"
       className="relative bg-surface-low py-12"
+      style={{
+        backgroundImage: [
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+          'repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 0px, rgba(25,28,29,0.02) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 48px)',
+        ].join(', '),
+      }}
     >
       {/* Gradient bridge — blends hero into this section */}
       <div