i2c communication with Led Driver

I want to control a led driver (MAX7313 containing 16 outputs) with my arduino. I want to controll an array of 12 Leds, they have to blink in a certain pattern and change intensity. Example: Led X starts and when it reaches its maximum intensity (16 step) Led X-1 amd Led X+2 start and led x fades out. When x-1 and led+1 reach their max another two leds start and so on (4 steps in total).

I am looking for some tips and tricks to start, I2C communication is totally new for me...

There is an I2C library available on the arduino site.

You might want to look at the BlinkM - available from SparkFun. It can easily do just what you want but it would cost you $130-150 dollars for 12.