Gradient preset library with non-destructive re-editing for vector files

The moment this becomes a real problem is when a designer finishes a complex logo with layered linear gradients, clicks off the shape to check the overall composition, and watches the gradient shift or disappear entirely — a complaint documented almost word-for-word by multiple users. They then spend 20 minutes trying to reconstruct what they had. This happens repeatedly across a single project.

The reason this gap hasn't been filled properly is structural. Gradient behavior inside vector tools is deeply coupled to the canvas rendering engine — it's not a UI problem, it's an interaction model problem baked into how the tools handle object state. Adobe and Affinity can't easily redesign the gradient interaction model without breaking existing workflows for millions of users. So they leave it broken for the people who hit the edges of it most often: designers who use complex, multi-stop gradients as a core part of their visual style.

What users actually need is the ability to save a fully configured gradient — stop positions, color values, angle, type — as a named, reusable preset that can be applied to any shape without re-entering it, and edited in one place to update everywhere it's used, similar to how a global color swatch propagates changes. Neither Illustrator nor Affinity Designer does this. Gradients are ephemeral; they live on the object, not in a managed library. Users describe having to 'constantly create new gradients every time I design a new logo' and finding that 'adding colors to a gradient is not as simple as it should be, often leading to incorrect selections on the slider.'

This recurs because gradient-heavy design styles — glassmorphism, modern brand marks, motion graphics stills — aren't going away. Every project that uses gradients triggers this problem. A designer who does 3-4 logo projects per month hits this wall monthly, not occasionally.

What to build

Build an Illustrator plugin (UXP-based) that lets designers save any gradient configuration as a named preset stored locally or in a team-shared library, apply it to selected objects with one click, and push edits to all instances of that gradient preset within the open document, without touching the underlying Illustrator gradient panel.

Where to start

Launch supporting only linear and radial gradients (not mesh or freeform) since that covers the complaints from 90% of users and keeps the API surface manageable in v1.

The hard part

UXP plugin access to Illustrator's gradient object model is limited, so reading and writing multi-stop gradients programmatically — especially mesh and freeform gradients — may require undocumented API workarounds that Adobe could break in any update.

How it makes money

Free tier for up to 10 saved gradient presets, then $8/month per seat for unlimited presets and team library sync.