It loads quickly, and it can be aesthetically pleasing when handled properly. We came a long way as a civilization using black letters on white paper. Draw your inspiration from a variety of sources. You'll find usable design ideas in street signs, magazines, CD covers, and basically anything else that was designed to be read or looked at. Think before adding technological gimmickry to your site.
Some animations are just obnoxious.
There's a place for that too. For professional design on a tight budget, you can't beat common graphic elements. Using a few design cues repeatedly across a site's various pages saves development time while creating a unified look. Remember, consistency is something to strive for, not avoid. Let the content drive the design.