Booted for sharing contact info, the industry veteran plans an AI-powered alternative aimed at empowering — not penalizing — designers.
A Permanent Ban That Sparked a Movement
When Gleb Kuznetsov, one of the design world’s most prominent figures, was permanently banned from Dribbble, the creative community was stunned. Over 15 years of contributions, 12,000+ shots, and an account with more than 210 million views were erased after he allegedly violated Dribbble’s new monetization rules — specifically, sharing contact details with potential clients before they paid through the platform.
“One warning. No appeal,” Kuznetsov wrote on X. “15 years of work. All instantly deleted.”
His expulsion didn’t just anger his peers — it pushed him to build a new platform, one that treats designers as partners, not commodities.
What Changed at Dribbble?
In March 2025, Dribbble updated its policy to require payment via its platform before any contact info is exchanged between clients and designers. The company framed this as a way to protect creators from non-payment, but also admitted it was part of a broader push to monetize its growing marketplace.
- Prior to March, revenue sharing was optional.
- After the update, it became mandatory unless users paid for a Pro subscription.
- Those who didn’t comply — including Kuznetsov — faced account suspension or bans.
“It went from optional to required,” said Dribbble CEO Constantine Anastasakis. “We take violations very seriously, even from top-tier designers.”
Was Kuznetsov Targeted?
Kuznetsov insists he was blindsided by the ban, claiming he never saw the final warning email. Dribbble counters that he violated the policy six times, and that their systems show he opened the warning email three times before the suspension.
“I think it was their goal to hurt me publicly,” Kuznetsov told TechCrunch. “To make an example out of me.”
Dribbble’s CEO didn’t deny that. “He believed we wouldn’t take action because of his stature. But this shows how seriously we enforce our terms,” said Anastasakis.
Banned users can only return by becoming advertisers, with a minimum $1,500 monthly spend for three months.
Building the Next Generation Platform for Designers
Rather than dwell on the past, Kuznetsov is focused on the future — and building a new platform for designers that’s not a Dribbble clone.
“It’s going to be something designers actually need,” he said. “Not another walled garden.”
The upcoming platform will blend AI tools with community features, offering:
- Design inspiration
- Creative collaboration
- AI-powered enhancements
- Better client-designer communication
Kuznetsov believes AI can empower creatives, not replace them — helping them elevate their work, streamline workflows, and expand capabilities.
“Everybody’s doing AI startups, but no one is doing AI for designers,” he explained.
He expects to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) in 3–4 months.
Not Revenge — A Reset for the Design Community
Despite investor interest in a Dribbble rival, Kuznetsov says this isn’t about killing the competition.
“This isn’t revenge. It’s about building something better — for the community I’ve been part of for decades.”
He warns creatives to diversify their platforms and rethink where they invest their time and talent.
“We give our best to platforms that don’t always give back. It’s time for designers to have a platform that respects them.”
