Web Design From Scratch has a great article that I’ve read a few times in the past, and recommend for anyone who does more than just edit prefab templates for their website. If you make actual designs from scratch (I’m not sure if that was a pun exactly, but it was accidental…), then you should read this.

Web 2.0 How-To Design Style Guide

Even if you’re not into the whole “Web 2.0″ thing, it’s still worth reading. The “Web 2.0″ style of design is more than just gradients and shiny stuff. The important parts can go into any design, and are often good practices. Such concepts include

• Simplicity
• Big text
• Strong colors
• Simplicity
• Strong logos
• Simple, easy to use navigation
• Simplicity

If you want to make effective and usable designs, the article definitely worth a look.

“Web 2.0″ is kind of a ridiculous term. It’s array of meanings is so broad that it has virtually no meaning at all. Take a look at the Wikipedia page if you want to see some attempts at defining it.

The term “Web 2.0 Design” has a little more meaning. It refers to an actual style of design.

What is a Web 2.0 design? (more…)