The euphoria of discovering Bolt.new

At Zooma, we've been encouraged for years to embrace generative AI and explore its vast potential. This post offers a glimpse into my latest month of AI exploration, where I've discovered just how much some of these tools can transform my work and how I approach creativity and innovation.

In December, Zooma advanced our Gen AI skills with a half-day training session focused on enhancing creativity, optimising workflows, and exploring generative AI capabilities.

It began with a deep dive into the endless possibilities of tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, and HeyGen. Just as I thought I had seen it all, our developers Kang and Marko presented a new tool that surprised me.

Bolt.new 

Bolt.new is an AI-powered platform that allows users to create, edit, and deploy web applications directly from the browser.

For example, you use text prompts to create images with Midjourney, and you use similar text prompts describing what app you want to generate with Bolt.new. Then, you receive both back- and front-end codes.

During our training session, we got an assignment to create a to-do app within 10 minutes. 

I was amazed by how intuitive and efficient the process was. Using only four prompts, I built a fully functional to-do app in a limited time. The app allows users to add tasks and features a gamified progress system: As tasks are completed, an animated egg grows, cracks, and eventually hatches into a chicken. The app also includes a time tracker for each task, making time reporting easy.

The four prompts I used to create the above app

Prompt 1
Create a to-do app

Prompt 2
An update to a unique modern design for a to-do app could feature a timeline-based interface where tasks are displayed along a visually stunning, interactive vertical or horizontal timeline. The app could use gradient colour-coding to indicate urgency or progress, transitioning from cool blues for non-urgent tasks to warm reds for overdue ones. Incorporating natural language input with real-time parsing would allow users to type "Submit a report by 5 PM tomorrow" and see it instantly transformed into a task. For motivation, a gamified progress system could award users customisable badges or animations for achieving milestones, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Prompt 3
Add this task reward: Introduce a virtual toy or plant that grows, changes, or gets upgraded as users complete more tasks. This will give them something fun to look forward to.

Primary Palette: Use a mix of neon brights like electric blue, sunny yellow, vibrant coral, and magenta, contrasted with softer pastels like mint green and lavender for a fun, approachable vibe. Gradient Accents: Incorporate smooth gradients—like sunrise hues (pink to orange) for upcoming tasks and oceanic blues (teal to indigo) for completed ones. Backgrounds: Employ dynamic, interactive backgrounds with shifting patterns or soft animations, such as bubbly textures or playful abstract shapes that subtly react to user interactions. Accent Details: Add eye-catching micro-interactions with pops of colour, like a bouncing lime green checkmark or a shimmering golden glow around completed tasks.

Prompt 4
Add a time tracker to each task. Add a site refresh button that clears all tasks and levels.

Reflections on creativity and innovation

Before testing Bolt.new, I've spent many hours exploring creating photos and videos with tools like Midjoruney and Runway. The experience has been incredible, but diving into app development brought another new level of excitement.

Over the Christmas break, I dove deeper, creating a family budget app and a meal-planning app and starting to experiment with building a simple game.

I guess Gen AI isn't just about boosting productivity and freeing up time—it's about sparking an endless stream of new projects that leave you wondering when, or if, you'll ever actually get that free time back :)

No, but on a more serious note, the fact that a single person can create functional, engaging applications alongside stunning visuals and videos highlights how accessible and powerful gen AI tools have become.

It is mind-blowing to consider what this could mean for your business: streamlined workflows, faster prototyping, and endless creative possibilities.

The innovation potential seems limitless, and I'm eager to see how this will evolve!

If you need some creativity, I'd love to hear about it and see if we can help you!

Feel free to book a meeting to discuss your next project!