Here's a bit of info on the scheming and planning of my current layout. I decided to incorporate small elements from many of my previous layouts; this current version is a little more special since it marks ten years since I've been web designing. FIY, I am actually very insane and go through about a bazillion ideas before I actually settle on the final look. This is just a quick summary, I left at least 53598235 other steps out.

Step 1: I do some brainstorming in my sketchbook, then I literally sketch it out on Illustrator
Step 2: O HAY I got something going on, I shall now proceed to outline it
Step 3: More tedious outlining...
Step 4: COLOURING TIME!
Step 5: Open final image in photoshopt to edit, fiddle around with filters and brushes
Step 6: Forget about layout for a few weeks
Step 7: Didn't like final image, re-editing in Illustrator
...after much editing, final image is done. TA DA.