There’s a really great article on the process of web [re]design over at Digital Web. I used to work with one of the co-founders, so it’s something I read from time to time. I also can’t quite get the web design bug out of my system; articles like this are always insightful and interesting.
I had a few things to add about tools and process. Wireframing (blueprint-like sketches) is really important to a successful redesign. I use the concepts I learned there in other media all the time, whether it’s storyboarding with drawings or mocking up DVD and interactive projects. It’s time-consuming, but ultimately worth it as Jesse illustrates.
Speaking of which: I hate to even go there, but this site template has got to go (or be heavily modified). I chose this one because it was one I could get up & running quickly, but I feel I’ve quickly outgrown it. Internet Explorer 6 users still can’t see the right sidebar (a box model problem), and the main content column is too narrow. I thought it would be cool and enhance readability with shorter line lengths, but I feel it’s only cramping the content. I just want the whole thing to get simpler and breathe more. The pale blue-green is bugging me, too; it all lacks punch.
I found this the other day, from way back when:
It’s a mock up of a home page design I did for my old blog. Looking at it again, I like the clean, simple look and the extra white space. There’s some other things to be considered (all that white is really bright) but always some things to be learned by looking at old, forgotten work.
On 
