The site was in private beta until this past weekend, and Co-founder Dan Cederholm said the site will "likely remain invite-only. Can't say for certain of course, but for now, absolutely."
Here's how Dribbble works: "Players" upload "shots," or small images around 400 by 300 pixels. Shots are typically small segments of a work in progress, sketches that need feedback or new versions of previously uploaded shots. Players can tag their shots and comment on them. Tags make for great browsing material as well, from ampersand inspirations to typography exercises.
Players can also follow other players, whose work they can like, tweet, link to or "rebound." The rebound element works a bit like Layer Tennis, with players riffing off and visually responding to each other's work.
All of this fun social functionality is wrapped in a stylish Web 2.0 interface -- a must for any site trying to appeal to the designer crowd.
Right now, players can upload a maximum of 24 shots each calendar month, although the site states that Dribbble is "thinking about how to award additional shots to members for meritorious behavior."
If you're interested in getting "drafted" -- i.e., you want an invite -- keep an eye on your social graph, the company advises on its site. "We routinely issue invites to existing members. When this happens, members often announce on Twitter that they are looking for folks to draft. If you’re interested, be sure to have a URL handy to show off some of your work."
Dribbble comes from Salem, MA-based web design shop SimpleBits.
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