So I've been playing skyrim since release, and I still have yet to use any kind of magic (other than destruction occasionally and enchanting). I'm predominantly a sword'n'board/two-hander/archer type. I'm curious what its like to play on the other side of the spectrum dabbling into the dark arts and using alteration, illusion, and conjuration. You guys (and gals) have any tips for me? I'd also like to try and do a bit of role playing to spice things up even more. Any input is greatly appreciated! (also, I'm also considering creating my first Dunmer. They seem pretty interesting to me.)

Alteration cam give defences in both armor and magical resistance. Very useful school IMO.

Conjuration can be used as a sort of offense. You can conjure Atronachs or Dremora Lords. You could also use Necromancy.

Illusion plays with the Mind. Either make them scared, make them attack one another, or just calm them. Some thieves use this school for the spell of Invisibility.

If you're coming from a warrior background then no matter how hard you fight it you will always want to fall back on it. Forget being a Mage, go Battlemage. Cojuration is, in my opinion, the best school of magic in the entire game. When in doubt conjure up some Demora Lords or Wrathmen and run away to heal. If you use Followers then i suggest Restoration as well because Heal Other is very useful with followers and for general NPCs.

I agree, its actually better to transition to a Battlemage than to be a pure mage.

Delve in it a little.

conjuration and destruction is good for those archers or mages sniping at you from a hundred yards away and you don't feel like chasing them down with your sword.

Another good suggestion for a Battlemage or warriors in general. Get your hands on http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Spellbreaker as soon as possible. It's Ward is so powerful that it even blocks Shouts from both Men and Dragons. (there i used UESP.. i feel dirty)

Thanks guys, I suppose that makes sense about falling back to my warrior ways. I did try to do pure Mage once but ended up just using heavy armor with an enchanted dagger. x) so I like the idea of this battlemage concept. I would like to try and keep it to just robes if I can (ill be playing legendary). Now any suggestions on being the baddest battlemage I've ever been (or seen)?

Well since patch 1.9 the level cap has been removed so would be able to do anything you wanted and level it to the maximum.

Heres my Battlemage load-out
Heavy Armor - Ebony Mail (does posion damage to up-close enemies) with Ebony Gaunlets/Boots
One Handed - Dawnbreaker or a Carver Nordic Sword(requirs Dragonborn DLC)
Destruction - Flame/Frost/Shock Cloak. If you have have the Dragonborn DLC do jobs for Neloth to get the Whirlwind Cloak. People get to close and they learn to fly. (man i love that spell) I guess you could use spells like Fireball and Ice Storm but most of those spells svck at high levels. Stick to cloaks on high levels.
Conjuration - Tralls and Dremora Lords. Wrathmen as well if you have Dawnguard.
Block - Spellbreaker
Resoration
Enchanting - For health/magic/damage/magic resistance boosts on armor. As well as powerful enchantments on weapons.
Smithing - Never, ever forget Smithing.

I'm actually about to start a new character battlemage (sort-of), So I can tell you what I am doing. He is going to focus on his warrior skills only (two-handed, archery, light armor) until he gets 100 in enchanting.
Once that happens I am going to set the difficulty to legendary and then start to focus on destruction and light conjuration. light conjuration as in one summon if I need it to chase down an archer or mage. I'm probably going to be very dependent on fortify destruction potions and weakness to element spells from mods I have. I'm going for zero mana cost in destruction because I don't feel like spending more than 50 points into magicka, i'de rather focus on health and stamina.

FORGET SMITHING?! *faints* Talos smite me. Well ill give it my best shot. God damned nearly died in helgen. This is going to be quite the journey.