Guild website Joomla template & Graphic/Banner design

Ok I am new at this so bear with me. I have a guild I run in the game World of Warcraft. I am currently running just an invision forum (about 600 members) but would like to add more content via a CMS and I have chosen Joomla as that vehicle. I will install most of the necessary modifications myself, and with luck I will be able to integrate them all together. What I want right now from the reader: 1. A website with a unique design different then all the other wow sites out there. I do not want a warcraft clone website nor do I want all of blizzards overused graphics (one or 2 of the less frequently seen ones perhaps). I have some layouts that I like as far as navigation goes, but colors schemes and images are not my specialty, I can tell you if I like it when I see it :) I need some suggestions and initiative here from the graphic designers to help me see what you can do. I do have an idea for the banner it involves a little 3D animation or flash:) 2. I need an experienced designer that can work effectively with the time given. I assume we have experts here so I am not paying for a learning curve. I also assume an experienced 'template' developer will not have to start from scratch but will have some previous work that he can modify or enhance into something right for [login to view URL] would increase the quality of the deliverable while cutting down on work hours. I understand that not every part of this project would fit into this category. 3. There are really a couple parts to this project. - The template design/layout - The image design/selection to be used in the template - A banner custom made possibly with some flash or 3D animation If you can deliver only part of this project let me know that in your offer and I may be willing to split this into multiple projects if necessary. If you are familiar with Warcraft or have done other warcraft sites that is definitly a plus but not necessarily required. I do need whoever will be doing the graphic design and banners/logos to have a talent and eye for fantasy and mideavel type art and design as that is the general theme. I will also require samples of your past work that is relevant to my project. Nice coorporate websites to show me general layout and navigation is well and good, but I would like to see the something more applicable as well i.e. fantasy art or designs/banners, guild or game websites you have designed etc. Also while I realize this could add up fairly quickly, for now I would like to keep my budget in the $300-$600 range. This is entirely allocated to the joomla template and graphic/banner design. I will be setting up the other aspects of the website on my own. I have seen many of the Warcraft templates and guild websites out there and I really dont want anyone to try and sell me one of those. If I wanted that I would spend $40 and buy one from template monster :) I am really looking for some creativity and uniqueness. If you cannot operate inside that budget please send me an itemized list with costs and time required so that I can see what you can do within my budget. I will determine at that time if I need to scale back the project specifications or allocate more money. I would also like the site to validate to XHTML and CSS W3C standards. It needs to be compatible with Firefox and IE. I also need it to scale with different resolutions (1024x768 & 1280x1024 for sure ). And on a closing note I would prefer it not be too much tables based but more php and CSS. This is because I have seen tables based templates that become broke when an img or some content is posted that is to large.