How to make custom category page and topic page???

Hi,
Please see my 2 example screen shots of what I’m trying to accomplish:

Category Page:
http://oneillwebs.com/justin/sample_category_page.jpg

Topic Page:
http://oneillwebs.com/justin/sample_page.jpg

I’m in the process of getting all of the html/css right on my localhost for both of these pages.., but whenever its time to actually put in the “wordpress code” I don’t know where to start? Can anyone point me towards a good tutorial to checkout?

I’m using the Starkers “nekid” theme so it should be fairly easy to implement my design into it.

Here is a direct link to my wordpress site that I want to make as my category page:

http://www.phone7forum.com/categories/