When you're building a personal project do you start with the front end design and build the back end around it or do you build the back end and conform the design to fit?
I usually start a web project by doing fairly complete mockups using Balsamiq. From this I can work out what the DB data model should be. Then I build screen by screen.
For a straight-forward Django hack: One view at a time, starting with models and finishing with the UI. Core views first. Iterate until complete.
I first design a scrap concept, then I build all the back-end and finally I design de full appearance
The front end tends to be a command line. Maybe with a config file in plain text if I'm feeling generous. Not much design in it.
usually back end first but it is an iterative process of course b/w front and back end.