We’re creating a web app which is going to designed to be fully 2.0 (AJAX-ed and what not).
As a rich-client and server-side developer, I know Javascript only at a functional level, but I’m beginning to learn JQuery based on recommendations and seeing how simply much of it.
I’ve found things like SlideDown in its’ API which will slide an element into view.
I’m wondering what else is there that makes for beautiful interfaces relatively easily.
Libraries or core JQuery is fine.
As more of a front-end guy, my advice would be to draw up your ideas first, then seek out jQuery Plugins (jQueryUI is fantastic, but there are tons of 3rd party plug-ins out there) that will enhance that design in terms of UX. A good design and workflow all begins with planning — much like development. A beautiful UI will always start with a solid design.