ByAnish
Dribbble Bans Top Designer, Sparks AI Rival for Creatives
A Top Designer Was Banned from Dribbble—Now He’s Launching an AI-Powered Rival
In a shocking turn of events shaking the design world, Gleb Kuznetsov—one of the most respected figures in digital design—has been permanently banned from Dribbble. But instead of backing down, he’s using the controversy to fuel a bold new vision: a next-gen AI-powered platform tailored specifically for designers.
Kuznetsov, founder of San Francisco-based Milkinside, had over 210 million views and 12,000+ posts on Dribbble. His account was deleted after allegedly violating a new policy prohibiting designers from sharing contact info before payment is made through the platform. Dribbble claims he repeatedly ignored the rules. Kuznetsov disputes the severity of the infractions, calling the ban abrupt and unjustified.
“Fifteen years of work. Instantly deleted because I replied to a client with my email. One warning. No appeal,” he shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Dribbble’s Controversial Pivot to Monetization
The ban comes amid Dribbble’s shift toward a closed marketplace model. Since March 2025, designers are forbidden from sharing contact details unless the client pays via Dribbble. The company justifies this as protection against non-payment, but many see it as an aggressive monetization move. Under the new terms, Dribbble now takes a mandatory revenue cut or requires designers to pay for a Pro subscription or join as advertisers.
For veteran designers like Kuznetsov, the policy feels exploitative. It stifles creator freedom and forces dependency on the platform’s monetization model.
Enter the AI Design Platform: A Creator-Led Revolution
Rather than fight for reinstatement, Kuznetsov is going independent—and disruptive. He’s building a new design platform infused with AI, created by designers for designers. Unlike existing marketplaces, his startup will prioritize community empowerment, transparent monetization, and powerful AI tools that elevate—not replace—creative work.
“AI shouldn’t be feared by designers—it should enhance our imagination,” says Kuznetsov. “We need tools that allow us to create beyond skill limitations.”
This vision positions his upcoming platform not as a Dribbble clone, but as an entirely new category of design infrastructure—blending inspiration, collaboration, and AI-generated assistance for faster iteration and deeper innovation.
Why It Matters
In a time when platforms increasingly lock in users and profits, Kuznetsov’s move signals a rising creator-led rebellion. It highlights a broader need for ethical, user-first platforms—especially in design, where individual expression and collaboration are critical.
Investors are already circling, but Kuznetsov says his mission is about community, not competition.
“I’m not trying to kill Dribbble. I’m trying to build something better—for all of us.”
The MVP is expected in late 2025. For now, his bold stand is igniting a larger conversation about platform power, creator rights, and the future of design in the AI era.
