Designing for content management systems can be a tricky subject, especially when you work with a group of developers. You have to have a real working knowledge of the content manager and know the limitations and the standards by which the information follows. (That way when you break the rules, you can still somewhat keep your developers happy!)

Within Drupal there are many ways to be able to theme and display content. While designing a Drupal based site, it is best to sit down with your pen and paper. Draw, scratch, write, doodle, just plain get the ideas for the wireframes and user interface for the site. Once you have an idea as to your layout, tear it apart. What modules can you implement for the site to make it all fit together? Will the site be block based? Panels based? Getting your wireframes down on paper allow you to take a step back and think about the development process. As a designer, we have these great ideas for layouts and typography. All can be done in some way or another, but when designing for a content manager, think about all the different templates that will need to be themed and re-themed. Can that block be moved towards the left on the About page in order to make room for the crazy typography on the Services page? Small changes can effect the need for a whole new template per node function and css file. Create developer friendly designs without losing your creative freedom.

I happen to love to start just doodles on paper... Sketching out basically squares for placement of content. At this point having no worry as to what is even going to be going in there. Then using a program such as OmniGraffle take those ideas and start placing content, thinking about good structure, form, and grids.

Then do your stuff in Photoshop stuff... AFTER the site is well planned out. This will save you and your team a lot of headaches in the future. Be nice to your developers... or yourself.