Design Time
At this point, we know our content, content priority, and navigation systems, it is time to design.
Some people like to go straight into an image editing program, while others prefer to first sketch. I find that most sketches don’t capture the limitations of designing for the Internet properly. Things are often drawn for convenience. I find it better to go into your image editing program of choice to design. When I do sketch, it is really rough and often utilizes a “grid” for planning space utilization.
DO NOT THINK LIKE YOU ARE DESIGNING FOR PRINT. THINK IN TERMS OF DESIGNING FOR THE INTERNET
I find it best, when beginning design, to isolate myself from the world. Be comfortable, put on appropriate music. While you might have gotten some great ideas from other sites you have seen, it is time to clean your head out and start with a fresh slate.