Dribbble’s recent decision to permanently ban top designer Gleb Kuznetsov has sparked uproar in the design community. The move comes after Dribbble updated its rules to require all client communications and payments to stay on-platform. Kuznetsov – a celebrated San Francisco based designer learned late in July 2025 that his Dribbble account (15 years in the making) was deleted after he shared contact info with a prospective client, violating the new policy. The decision was sudden: Kuznetsov says he got “one warning” with “no appeal,” and then his 12,000+ portfolio shots and 100,000+ monthly Dribbble visitors were wiped out.
Why Was Gleb Kuznetsov Banned from Dribbble?
Kuznetsov was banned specifically for flouting Dribbble’s new monetization rules. In March 2025, Dribbble announced that designers can no longer share contact details with clients until after a project payment clears on the platform. This was meant to protect both sides (ensuring designers get paid and Dribbble can take its fee). Dribbble confirmed that Kuznetsov repeatedly shared his email address in project messages, triggering the infraction. According to Dribbble CEO Constantine Anastasakis, Kuznetsov had been warned multiple times about the policy and even received a final notice email before his suspension. When he persisted, Dribbble followed through with a ban – emphasizing that any violator risks losing their account permanently.
Who Is Gleb Kuznetsov? A Look at His Design Legacy
Gleb Kuznetsov is a highly respected product and UX designer with about 15 years of industry experience. He is the founder and design executive of Milkinside, a San Francisco design studio, and has led teams building interfaces and experiences for major brands. Over his career he’s worked on high-profile projects for companies like Apple, Google, Amazon, United Airlines, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Mercedes-Benz. On Dribbble he was one of the most prolific members: before the ban he amassed over 12,000 “shots” (portfolio pieces) and drew roughly 100,000 monthly visits to his profile. In short, Kuznetsov was a fixture in the Dribbble community – a source of inspiration for many designers, which is why his sudden removal has been so shocking to peers.
What Happened Between Dribbble and Gleb Kuznetsov?
The conflict unfolded quickly over late July 2025. Dribbble quietly began enforcing its new rules, permanently banning dozens of designers who violated the contact-sharing policy. Kuznetsov was among those affected. He took to social media (X/Twitter) to vent his anger: he noted that after 15 years and thousands of posts, all his Dribbble work was gone “because a client asked for my email, One warning No appeal.” He accused Dribbble of caring only about its 3% revenue cut, not the community it claims to serve. In public comments, he even suggested that Dribbble intended to make an example of him – “their goal [was] to hurt me so I can spread that news” and teach others a harsh lesson. The ban spurred immediate backlash: fellow designers were “shocked and angry,” lamenting that such a move would alienate Dribbble’s creative community. In response to the outcry, Kuznetsov announced he was talking to investors about launching an alternative design network. Within days, word spread that he was building a new, AI-driven platform for designers.
Dribbble’s Moderation Policies: Fair or Flawed?
Dribbble defends its moderation as a legitimate business and safety move. In an official blog post, the company explained that the new policy prevents scams and ensures payments flow through its system. It warned users that sharing contact info prematurely would lead to account suspension. From Dribbble’s perspective, enforcing the rules uniformly (even against a star like Kuznetsov) signals that the terms are serious.
Critics argue the approach is heavy-handed. Many designers feel the platform’s sudden pivot to a marketplace has betrayed Dribbble’s original ethos as a free inspiration community. Longtime users say being banned for linking a client is excessive. For example, designer Peter Voth publicly quit Dribbble over the change, calling the restrictions “paternalism and coercion” and likening the policy to “extortion.” He complained that forcing all communications on Dribbble was “almost laughable” and “unacceptable”. In short, opponents say Dribbble’s policies may protect revenue but do so at the expense of community trust. The debate boils down to whether it is fair for Dribbble to impose such strict control. Supporters of the ban say rules must be enforced consistently. Skeptics say Dribbble undervalues designer’s autonomy and risks turning creators off the platform.
Gleb Kuznetsov’s Response to the Ban
Kuznetsov did not stay silent. He used social media to rally support and clarify his plans. In a viral post he pointed out that “Dribbble deleted my account with 100,000+ monthly users, 15 years of work, 12,000+ shots” over one small infraction. He accused Dribbble of showing “no regard for the community”. He also told journalists he felt Dribbble’s change was a deliberate attempt to monetize more of designer’s work; he said the ban motivated him to build a better platform for designers. In interviews, Kuznetsov emphasized that his new project would leverage artificial intelligence to “elevate our ability to create” and support designers globally. He expects a minimum viable product in a few months. At the same time he made clear he wasn’t trying to sabotage Dribbble out of spite – rather, he wants “to do something good for the community” that was served poorly under the current rules. In essence, his response has combined protest against Dribbble’s policies with the promise of an alternative.
How the Design Community is Reacting to the Dribbble Ban
The reaction has been overwhelmingly negative among many designers. Within hours of Kuznetsov’s announcement, numerous Dribbble users publicly voiced disapproval. TechCrunch notes that the designer community expressed “shock and anger,” calling the ban misguided. Social media posts and forums are filled with designers debating whether to stick with Dribbble or abandon it for other venues. One commentary highlights that Dribbble’s marketplace push has already”alienated its designer community,” suggesting this conflict might drive more users away. Some veteran Dribbblers are indeed voting with their feet: at least one long-time user posted, “I’m leaving Dribbble after 14 years,” blasting the new rules as “desperate” and harmful to designers. In summary, many in the community view the ban as emblematic of a wider problem, and the incident has sparked calls for alternatives and greater platform transparency.
What This Controversy Means for the Future of Design Platforms
This episode highlights a turning point in design networking platforms. Analysts suggest that Dribbble’s aggressive pivot creates an opening for new services. With millions of designers online, a platform that feels safer or more empowering could quickly gain traction. Kuznetsov’s case underscores that creators demand control over their work and client relationships; if one site enforces strict controls, designers will flock to another. Some observers predict that alternative communities (perhaps AI-enhanced ones like Kuznetsov’s) will emerge to fill any “gap” left by Dribbble’s tightened model. In the long run, design platforms may need to rethink how they balance revenue with user trust. For now, the industry is watching closely: the success or failure of the Shakuroverse project could influence whether giants like Dribbble or Behance double down on marketplaces or revert to simpler community features.
Will Shakuroverse Be a Real Threat to Dribbble?
It’s too early to say definitively, but experts believe Kuznetsov’s new platform could be a serious competitor. One analysis argues that his platform “could redefine digital design” by marrying creative portfolios with AI tools, and that tech-driven design networks may capture market share from traditional models. Given Dribbble’s current controversies, even a small fraction of its 8+ million monthly users switching over could make a splash. On the other hand, Dribbble remains the largest, most established design network. Kuznetsov himself admits he’s not trying to “kill” Dribbble; he frames his project as adding choice for designers. Ultimately, Shakuroverse’s impact will depend on execution: if it delivers real value (and avoids the pitfalls of forcing rules), it has the potential to lure users. For now, it stands as a symbolic upstart – a test of whether a community-centered vision can win over frustrated creatives.
Sources: TechCrunch, Dribbble design blog, The Tech Buzz
