Learning to design websites

[aleczandru]

Hi for the last couple of months I have been learning to create websites i've become prety flument in HTML/css/javascript(jQuery)/PHP/MySql i can create working websites but i suck when it comes to designing them.

What shoould I do to better become a designer?

From what i've read designing a website starts in photoshop or ilustrator witch one should i start using for designing my websites(i know a bit of photoshop but not mutch)?

If there are any books or websites that can help me with this pls refer me to them(i' not interested in books that teach me html css and javascript i already know them prety well i need something that helps me create the design before I start writing any code , something that teaches me the principles of web designs mixing color , layouts everything that is related to design)?

 

[Phreaddee]

"web design" generally sucks. Learn the basics of print design, then translate it.
Kuler.adobe.com - good starting point for colour palettes.
Alistapart.com has some good design concepts, and ideas.
Learn about grids and typography.
Remember to let things "breathe"
Dont be scared of whitespace.

Fall in love with the em.

As for software. Both of those mentioned r useful.
Illustrator for vectors.
Photoshop for well, photos.

If u know css well then use it for layouts, not photoshop.
Always check the date when finding tutorials.
There is a lot of bad, outdated techniques being learnt, simply because the user hasnt realised its a tut from say 2004.