New Site

[Toon]

Honestly the best advice I can give you is build it piece by piece. Start with the layout, the last one you said was going to be fluid, then work on the header only.

You had a pop at my drop down menus the other day, work on them if you can do them, the links on your page aren't all that inspiring, I'm sure people will try to give you pointers if you do it bit by bit.

I do find alot of web designers when they start off are trying to look for completed design straight off and it's not always a good thing, you learn what works and what doesn't by working in stages. I said the other day you should try learning grid systems by using coloured blocks with no content, it's a good way to learn how to build site and a good way how to learn css layouts.

[james]

Agree with Toon, one of the most obvious things you notice in a professionally designed piece is the size of text (and even more so, the main logo). Something else that transforms work is aligning things with other items on the page - such a seemingly small consideration, but its well worth it. Also, don't be afraid of white space (doesn't have to be white!), possibly the most powerful graphic technique out there (honest guv).

It took me till i was about 21 to pick up on these things! Considering your age, if you keep learning as you are, you'll be a really good designer by the time you're working. Keep having fun.

[Carrotnapper]

is the right hand side alright?

is it the banner, nav and recent work bits that need working on?

thanks for all the tips guys, all noted!

[LeadMagnet]

Honestly i would suggest starting over. Follow toon's advice.
Try to take some inspiration from existing sites to get a layout that works well.
Brainstorm some keywords (as many as possible) on what your site is all about, how you want it to look and most importantly how you want it to feel. e.g. Cold, smooth, shiny, soft, energetic, glossy etc. Anything that comes to mind, let your mind wander as long as you keep your target in mind (portfolio website to make you look great) and don't start thinking about some movie you just watched for example (unless it's got some element you'd like to incorporate).
When you've done that, pick out the most important words, find out how you can portray those visually in a simple way (Keep It Simple Stupid [or whatever accronym you want to use])
Pick a colour scheme (use ColorBlender.com | Your free online color matching toolbox or something like it to help with that part) and stick with those colours.
Then make your design around what you've learned from those steps.

Good luck.