Ask HN: How to learn the art of web design?

Get Photoshop and spend time learning how to use the tools before you try to become an artist. Get your skill set down first.

While you are learning to use the application spend some time surfing the net and looking at the myriad of plugins available for special effects to get some ideas on what you can do with Photoshop.

Use something like SnagIt to grab images of web pages or parts of pics you think look attractive. Import these new pics into Photoshop as a layer and work on recreating a duplicate of the image on a new layer. Basically learn by tracing, then you can delete the SnagIt pic and modify the traced pic to improve it.

I'm a fan of Steve Krug's Don't Make Me Think and Ginny Radish's book on web copy. Both are great for web design

read a book on design and pay attention to popular design sites like smashing magazine.

Most good designers I know usually have an artistic background. Maybe taking an art class would help too.

Thanks for the tips!