I want to upgrade my how to make a website project from the simple gallery site. ideas how I give it a better design?

I think something like the kind of transitions that can be done in a PowerPoint presentation (like fade-ins and outs, fly-ins, etc.) might be what you're looking for, and for that, you're going to need JavaScript or jQuery; something along those lines. For myself, I'm hoping to be able to deconstruct a Flash video I created a few years ago, and make a kind of page-flip effect using JavaScript/jQuery to transition the images instead. There are some interesting examples here in the forum of things others have done. You could also check out sites online and see what folks are doing "out in the real world." Good luck!