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.