Principlez of design & layout.

The physical layout and design of anything (a website, invitation, brochure, etc.) is extremely important for grabbing your readers attention, and keeping them interested in what you have to say. Here are a few sites that are helpful to me, and hopefully will be helpful to you too:

This site talks about design and color, the elements of design and the important principles of design: http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm

 This site will help you in deciding your color scheme. Colors are oh so important, so make sure you're picking ones that accent one another, and don't overwhelm your reader: http://www.sitepoint.com/principles-of-design-colour/

And this site is a "crash course in typography". Typography is also something that's very important in design, most people don't consider the great affect different fonts can have on a reader, making it easier or harder to read, to more visually appealing. Take a couple minutes to check this out & enhance any design: http://www.noupe.com/design/a-crash-course-in-typography-the-basics-of-type.html

Lastly, I discussed a these in my "do's and don'ts of website design" entry, but remember these 4 VERY important rules of design. C.R.A.P. - Contrast, repetition, alignment & proximity. If you need a quick remind of what those consist of, scroll on down. :) ... (or check out this site http://maddisondesigns.com/2009/03/the-5-basic-principles-of-design/).



References:

Chapman, Cameron. "A Crash Course in Typography: The Basics of Type - Noupe." Noupe - The Curious Side of Smashing Magazine. 28 Mar. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://www.noupe.com/design/a-crash-course-in-typography-the-basics-of-type.html>.

Farley, Jennifer. "Principles of Design: Color." Sitepoint. 17 Dec. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://www.sitepoint.com/principles-of-design-colour/>.  

Horton, Anthony. "The 5 Basic Principles Of Design - Maddison Designs." Professional Web Design & Development - Maddison Designs. Maddison Designs, 27 Mar. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://maddisondesigns.com/2009/03/the-5-basic-principles-of-design/>.

Lovett, John. "Elements and Principles of Design." Watercolor, Watercolor Painting, Watercolor Lessons, Watercolor Instruction, Watercolor Technique, Watercolor Techniques, Watercolor Tips, Learn Watercolor. 1999. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm>.