At CYFRON SOFTWARE TRADING, we’re continually drawn to projects that merge smart technologies with thoughtful design. The recent development of “Side Bling,” a full-stack application that uses AI to suggest monetization paths for hobbyists, is a useful example of how to approach AI integration, UX responsiveness, and animated feedback in modern web apps.
From a developer standpoint, the core of Side Bling is relatively straightforward: a user submits their interests — say, pool playing — and in return, receives a curated list of monetization strategies. The real value, however, lies not just in the OpenAI-powered suggestions, but in how smoothly users interact with the experience. Clean logic paired with well-executed animation makes the process feel human, intentional, and fluid.
Animations were introduced using GreenSock (GSAP), a platform known for performance and flexibility. Rather than overwhelming users with motion, animations were used deliberately. When the ‘Show Me the Money’ button is pressed, interface elements gently slide away or fade out. This transition makes space for the next phase of interaction — a loading screen — without abrupt changes. GSAP’s staggered effects also ensure that UI cards exit in sequence, reinforcing clarity in motion and narrative pacing.
An area that stood out to us was the use of Rive for custom loading animation. Instead of opting for a basic spinner or linear progress bar, the team crafted an animated screen featuring gleaming accents, reinforcing Side Bling’s brand theme. More than just visual polish, this helped bridge the time it takes for the OpenAI API to respond — an important moment where users might otherwise lose patience. The inclusion of an Figma-designed loader and sensible timing for animation fade-ins and outs gives this feature both technical precision and aesthetic presence.
What impresses us from a product architecture angle is the clear separation of concerns. UI design was prototyped in Figma, animations built in isolation using GSAP and Rive, and commits captured methodically in GitHub. The CI-friendly workflow respects modern build pipelines, with integrations like Claude AI used to assist memory retention and change tracking — a noteworthy inclusion for teams managing evolving feature sets.
For teams building similar interactive tools, Side Bling highlights a few considerations worth keeping front of mind:
- Animation should support clarity, not distract. GSAP transitions work because they observe layout rules, timing constraints, and user expectations.
- AI integration must be paired with smart input/output framing. Simple interactions feel richer when presented in a stable but responsive visual environment.
- Loading states deserve careful attention. A purposeful animation sequence aligned with the brand gives users confidence the system is working as intended.
Usability, visual transparency, and platform-agnostic patterns are key themes that CYFRON values in our own development. As this project moves toward more advanced features like external content integration and deeper result exploration, we appreciate the disciplined, design-first thinking it reflects.
In the end, Side Bling isn’t just about monetizing hobbies—it’s a well-constructed reminder that helpful technology resonates most when it feels easy to use and coherent in motion.
From a developer standpoint, the core of Side Bling is relatively straightforward: a user submits their interests — say, pool playing — and in return, receives a curated list of monetization strategies. The real value, however, lies not just in the OpenAI-powered suggestions, but in how smoothly users interact with the experience. Clean logic paired with well-executed animation makes the process feel human, intentional, and fluid.
Animations were introduced using GreenSock (GSAP), a platform known for performance and flexibility. Rather than overwhelming users with motion, animations were used deliberately. When the ‘Show Me the Money’ button is pressed, interface elements gently slide away or fade out. This transition makes space for the next phase of interaction — a loading screen — without abrupt changes. GSAP’s staggered effects also ensure that UI cards exit in sequence, reinforcing clarity in motion and narrative pacing.
An area that stood out to us was the use of Rive for custom loading animation. Instead of opting for a basic spinner or linear progress bar, the team crafted an animated screen featuring gleaming accents, reinforcing Side Bling’s brand theme. More than just visual polish, this helped bridge the time it takes for the OpenAI API to respond — an important moment where users might otherwise lose patience. The inclusion of an Figma-designed loader and sensible timing for animation fade-ins and outs gives this feature both technical precision and aesthetic presence.
What impresses us from a product architecture angle is the clear separation of concerns. UI design was prototyped in Figma, animations built in isolation using GSAP and Rive, and commits captured methodically in GitHub. The CI-friendly workflow respects modern build pipelines, with integrations like Claude AI used to assist memory retention and change tracking — a noteworthy inclusion for teams managing evolving feature sets.
For teams building similar interactive tools, Side Bling highlights a few considerations worth keeping front of mind:
- Animation should support clarity, not distract. GSAP transitions work because they observe layout rules, timing constraints, and user expectations.
- AI integration must be paired with smart input/output framing. Simple interactions feel richer when presented in a stable but responsive visual environment.
- Loading states deserve careful attention. A purposeful animation sequence aligned with the brand gives users confidence the system is working as intended.
Usability, visual transparency, and platform-agnostic patterns are key themes that CYFRON values in our own development. As this project moves toward more advanced features like external content integration and deeper result exploration, we appreciate the disciplined, design-first thinking it reflects.
In the end, Side Bling isn’t just about monetizing hobbies—it’s a well-constructed reminder that helpful technology resonates most when it feels easy to use and coherent in motion.