8 ways to solve the Dribbble problem

After reading Andy Mangold’s critique of Dribbble, I think it’s time I share some ideas for a new kind of site. Please steal them.

1) Allow and encourage full-size 1:1 shots (no crops). Designers often have large displays so make use of that demographic advantage. This would force designers to share interfaces in their entirety; not just the pretty buttons. I’ve downloaded apps that looked pretty up-close but as it turns out they were horrible to use. Namely, Synthesizer 76, which was appropriately shit.

2) Speaking of interactions, a slideshow and timeline feature allowing designers to demonstrate interactions over time. Time is an important dimension of designing product. Especially helpful when demonstrating the flow of an interaction. A little like InvisionApp. Users could then easily comment on the quality of the interactions not just pixels, much like when you’re working with colleagues.

3) Speaking of comments, allow for two layers of comments. Praise & Critique. You can mute either comment type in your preferences, this would affect all comments site-wide. I think this is the perfect solution, it allows you to encourage and participate in the kind of community you want. You’ll quickly meet the people you want to.

4) Sketch. Allow designers to sketch critiques like you would on a whiteboard.

5) No popular page. Toxic.

6) No like button. Redundant.

7) No view count. What is this, MySpace?

8) No invites. Allow everybody in. This is a huge problem with Dribbble. With invites you foster ego and exclusivity, people are extra cautious about the things they post. They feel their reputation is on the line, that it’s a competition. Then, the very same egomaniacs that were invited in are now controlling the community. It’s kind of like an exclusive club for people to stand around postulating and peacocking their way to the popular page.

Build and they will come.