SMARTY and EXPONENT?

Does anyone know how to use the two together??? I have the exponent already installed and it is great but i just want to design a new template for my site because i think it is a bit lame. I need something bold and something new. Can an expert help me please. I am willing to learn. Please keep the terms simple or explain some of them to me. I am familar with php and html already so those are not the terms i am talking about. I am talking about the smarty terms. I visited the site but could not understand the process HELPP