What are basic recommendations for placing of columns in given designed area?

In column design you need to go from top of the building down to the foundations. You'll need to calculate the accumulated loads for each story, consider reduction factors of loading, consider the location does not clash with the required architectural/mechanical plans, and finally make sure that the bearing of your column is on a strong foundation/soil base that can withstand the load.

Columns should be places in such way to provide as much uniform spans as possible, Ratio between columns height to its cross sectional dimensions should be considered for buckling and additional moments on columns, column dimensions should be taken into account in case Flat slab system is used to account for punching shear and moment on column, concrete cover for columns must be taken in consideration based on durability and fire resistance requirements, this depends on the location of the column (Internal or External), Columns should uniformly be distributed all over the building area to make advantage of the framing action against lateral loads.

In column design the basic functionality requirement of the column need to be identified. Based on its requirement the column should sized in order to take the moment or direct axial load etc . How much member is utilised need to be checked for the applied loads . And also serviceability criteria such as cracking and deflection needs to be checked.