New to the forum, new to web design.

hello everyone, im new around here. but since im not wasting space on starting an empty thread over that i thought it would be appropriate to post my first design layout. the layout was initially for a contest but since i am no professional i figured i would hold back and post it here first. critism welcome, and thanks.
ps. theres no image in the top left open area and the software icons are just placeholders they are not mine, for the sake of saving time (since originaly i wanted to test myself with a deadline attached to the contest). but i can make icons and images etc etc incase anyones wondering heh.

My First Design Link.

Do you want straight to the point honesty/crits, or do you want friendly forum talk? I'll give you my best advice, and by the way.. welcome to the forum!

well now what is forum talk going to do for me? aha i hopped on the band wagon to grow and learn, so being straight up really helps. any kind of ideas or resources you might have help aswell. im not one to sit around and copy out tutorials all day but in terms of resources i mean the principles and elements you know. but thanks for the welcome and im looking forward to hearing the worst so dont hold back.

If you want straight up, I dont think anyone would even download that for free,

BUT

It's a lot better then a lot of peoples first designs.

You said you dont like to copy tuts, a lot of people do, but thats how you learn,

What I suggest on getting better at design:

Read every article you can find on it (Search for Web2.0 its what people like these days)

Look at every tut you can find, and LEARN from them, dont copy, LEARN the techniques, and what not.

Buy some nice website designs, and study their PSD's and Design Ethics.