Basic Elements of Good Web Design
So Far

1.  Basic Web Design Principles

1. Chris Lewis' Basic Web Design Principles
   
   
2. Top 15 newbie mistakes
   
   
3. RobinWilliams: Bad Web Design
   
   
4. RobinWilliams: Good Web Design
   

2.  Basic Lessons about Web Design
you have Taught Me So Far

1. Apprentice Designers need to take their work
   seriously. Always design so that your website
   could become a central part of the "web genre"
   community you are designing for.
   
   
2. Respect your Audience.  Always design for your
   specific, intended audience, whether it be
   Fishermen or Photography enthusiasts. Never insult the intelligence or integrity of your website visitors.
   
   
3. Try to get the Basics down first.  Don't try to get too
   Fancy. Make sure your webpages first work and
   then worry about making them fancy.
   
   
4. Simple design that works is often more elegant
   and interesting than complex design that doesn't
   quite work.
   
   
5. Don't just slap design elements such as images,
   graphics, and text on to a webpage. Try to lay
   out these elements so that there appears to
   be a larger order and design to the page.
   
   
6. Respect the limits of your webdesign tools. 
   Sometimes the tools you are using just won't do
   what you want them to do.
   
   
7. Don't assume that pictures and images will do all the talking.  Use titles and captions to reinforce your images.
   
   
8. Take your work seriously.  Design for a critical audience. Your goal is to be seen and appreciated by webusers. So always ask how can you make your website more interesting, useful, and entertaining.
   
   
9. Think about the larger process.  Don't get lost in all
   the details of getting everything just right. Given
   the nature of the web, you can never get your
   webpages to always look good in every format,
   browser size, web browser, or computer platform.
   
   
10. Always ask  yourself what is the "larger goal" of your website.  What is your "larger message"?
    
    
11. Try to approach webdesign with a playful, not a
    demanding, attitude.  If it doesn't work try something else and ask for advice.
    
    
12. Good Design requires revision and more revision. 
    Try to say it better, clearer, more cleanly, and more directly.
    
    
13. Try to learn to think like a Photojournalist and a
    Graphic Designer.  How can you better use your tools to capture attention and draw your reader
    into your site?
    
    
14. Look for and study examples of good design in both the print media and on the web.
    
    
15. As you design your websites, think more carefully
    about how the web works as a global medium for
    communication. The web creates distinct
    communities of users who have certain
    expectations when they enter certain web
    communities and web genres. Try to never
    disappoint your core audience.