Design resource: webdesignfromscratch.com

For any of the designers out there who are looking for a readily updated, decent looking (!) resource site, check out Web Design from Scratch.com.

Created by Ben Hunt, webdesignfromscratch.com aims to “help make the web a better place by learning and sharing the practice of good design.” While I can’t attest to it making the web a better place, it’s certainly making it prettier.

Check out his critique of current web style, where he lists 12 jaw dropping websites. “I’m not saying these are the very best sites out there, just that they’re typical of today’s best design,” he explains.

Topic areas also include “business,” “goal-oriented design,” “site architecture,” and “JS/DHTML,” much more diverse and informative than the CSS galleries and other site dumping grounds.

I personally stumbled onto the site after it appeared on digg, launching directly into “The ideal web design process.” While I won’t go into listing there here (visit the site!), I completely intend to incorporate that system in my way of attacking projects.

I can’t emphasize enough how great design communities can be for the budding web or graphic designer. You don’t always have to re-invent the wheel (mouse).

Other good design communities that I’ve frequented in the past are Shaun Inman’s Designologues, and the DQS forums from Ingo Ramin.