Any class that focuses on the visual arts, including painting, art history, and photography, will help you develop your artistic skills and broaden your understanding of how art works. If your high school doesn't offer these courses, see if there's a local college that offers courses or summer programs in the arts for high school students. Other high school classes that are useful for graphic design include English courses, computer courses, and even business courses. There are lots of websites, video tutorials, and free online programs that will teach you the basic elements of graphic design and help you learn and practice graphic design on your own. Although these methods usually don't have as much structure to them as an in-person class, they won't cost you any money to take.  Some websites that offer free graphic design courses include Alison.com, Udemy.com, and Skilledup.com. Some universities, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also offer graphic designs courses free online to the public. If you'd rather learn graphic design in a structured program or from an in-person instructor, you'd probably be better served completing an entire program in the field. Check with colleges in your area to see if any of them offer short programs in graphic design that you could enroll in. Note that if you're interested in making a career out of graphic design, an associate's degree by itself probably won't be enough to make you a competitive job candidate. Hundreds of schools offer 4-year degree programs in graphic design, both in-person and online. Not only do many lucrative design jobs require you to have a degree in graphic design, but pursuing a bachelor's in the field is a good way for you to network with other designers who can help your career in the long run.  Classes in graphic design degree programs typically include courses in studio art, principles of design, commercial graphics, web design, and advertising. You'll most likely also take a number of courses focused on graphics-related computer technology. Your program may also include courses in tangentially related fields, like business and marketing.

Summary: Take art history and drawing classes if you're in high school. Opt for free online courses in graphic design if you want to save money. Enroll in a local certificate or associate's degree program in design. Get a bachelor's degree in design if you want this to be a career.


Whether you want to be serious, formal, funny, or silly, including a quotation is always a great way to personalize a birthday invitation. Quotations, poems, and other creative customizations can go anywhere you like on the invitation, but they're a good way to open or close the invitation. Some famous quotations about age include:  “Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle!” — Bob Hope “Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!” — George Bernard Shaw “Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.” ― Mark Twain Poems can be in any mood or tone you like (such as funny, or serious), they can help set the mood or theme for your party, and they can help you convey some of the important information you need to tell guests. Examples of poems include:  Funny: “A surprise is in store, Karen’s not so young anymore, come see for yourself on April third, but don’t forget: mum’s the word!” Serious: “Another year has passed, it sure has been great, please join us at the mast, as we join to celebrate, we’ll have a merry time, be at the boat for nine.” Cute: “I’m turning one, won’t it be fun, come see my cake, and the mess I will make!” Everyone likes a good laugh, and this can be especially helpful with people who don’t particularly like birthdays. You can include a funny quotation, poem, joke, or just say something humorous. You can try out something like:  “Karen’s turning 39…again!” “Age is not important unless you're a cheese.” — Helen Hayes  What goes up and never comes down? Your age!

Summary: Include a quotation. Write a poem. Say something witty or funny.


A great way for your kids to spend quality time with their grandparents is to plan a sleepover. Sleeping over at Grandma’s can help your child build her independence and confidence being away from Mom and Dad while having fun watching old Disney movies in Gran’s living room. A great adventure to foster bonding between grandparents and their grandchildren is a family vacation. Consider inviting your kids’ grandparents to the beach next summer, or take a weekend trip to the city where kids can visit the zoo and play in the park with Grandpa. If your family loves the outdoors, consider a camping trip at a state park. To reduce stress, consider booking separate accommodations for the grandparents. If you have multiple children it can be challenging for Grandma to get enough time with each of them during her weekly visits. Encourage your children’s grandparents to plan one-on-one excursions with your kids. This can be something as simple as catching a Saturday matinee or a more involved adventure like a weekend trip to see a show on Broadway. Make sure each child gets his or her own one-on-one adventure to avoid jealousy. Grandparents have skills that they can share with your kids, presenting a perfect opportunity for bonding between the two generations. Does Grandma have a secret family recipe for spaghetti? Does Grandpa still cook the borscht his mother taught him how to make years ago? Encourage your kids to ask their grandparents to share these skills with them. Hands-on skills like gardening, woodworking, or even bird watching can be a fantastic way for your kids to bond with their grandparents. If Grandpa has a skill set to share, encourage him to show your daughter or son how it’s done. Not only will this facilitate bonding, it will also ensure that the skills are passed on to the new generation.

Summary: Have a sleepover at Grandma’s. Plan a family vacation. Encourage one-on-one excursions. Cook one of Grandma’s secret recipes. Encourage Grandpa to share his gardening skills.


Cleaning off dirt and debris helps keep the anodizing process running smoothly, and reduces the chances of imperfections as you work. Wash the object you want to anodize using a gentle detergent and warm water. Then, dry it completely with a clean rag or paper towel. Following the instructions on the product packaging, use your degreaser to remove any additional oil from the product. Wipe it away as necessary, making sure that no product remains on your metal before you move to the next step. In a small plastic tub, mix 3 tbsp. (44 ml) of lye in 1 gallon (3.8 l) of distilled water. Wearing a pair of rubber gloves, place the object you want to anodize into the lye solution. Allow it to sit for 3 minutes, then remove it and rinse it thoroughly with warm water.  The lye will remove any existing anodizing on the surface of the metal. Once it is removed, water should pour off the surface easily, instead of beading. Wear rubber gloves whenever working with lye. Do not use measuring spoons or cups that are used for food products. The materials used in this process are toxic.
Summary: Wash your metal with soap and water. Apply a degreaser with a cloth. Dilute lye in water to create a scouring solution.