We recommend you this book to every beginner that wants to have a start point for web design. Reading it is very simple and you will have presented the fundamentals of designing. Basic concenpts are presented and exemplified by Jason Beaird, the author of this book. I think even a programmer is good to read such a book to learn bases of good web design. As presented on sitepoint book review, this book will show you how to:

• Understand the design process, from discovery to implementation.
• Develop pleasing layouts using grids, the rule of thirds, balance, and symmetry.
• Use color effectively, develop color schemes and create a palette.
• Use textures: lines, points, shapes, volumes, and depth.
• Learn how good  typography can make ordinary designs look great.
• Effective imagery: choosing, editing and placing images.
• Understand what makes “good design”.
• Follow an example design from concept to completion.

For more information about it please visit this page: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/design1/