INPUT ARTICLE: Article: After you create still images for each frame of your animation, create a new file in GIMP.  Make sure the the width and height of the file match the width and height of your animation frames.  Use the following steps to open a new file in GIMP.  Click File. Click New  Type the width in pixels next to "Width". Type the height in pixels next to "Height". Click Ok. GIMP creates animations using each layer as a separate frame of animation.  The bottom layer is the first frame of animation and the top layer is the last frame of animation.  Use the following steps to open your image frames as a new layer.  You can select multiple images by holding the Shift key and selecting the first and last image frame:  Click File  Click Open as Layers. Hold Shift and click the first image frame file. Click the last image frame while still holding Shift  Click Open. By default, GIMP exports GIF animations at a frame rate of 10 frames (100ms) per second.  You can add the frame rate in milliseconds at the end of each frame to change the frame rate to something a little faster, you can add the frame rate in parentheses to the end of each frame name in the list of the frames.  For example, if you add "(33ms)" at the end of each layer name, that will give you a frame rate of about 30 frames per second. Before you export your animation as a GIF, you can preview it.  This allows you to see how the animation looks.  If you need to edit any of the frames in the animation artboard file.  Use the following steps to preview your animation:  Click Filter. Click Playback. Use the "fps" drop-down menu to select the Frames per Second. Click the Play button in the upper-right corner. If you are satisfied with how your GIF animation looks, use the following steps to export it as a GIF animation.  Click File  Click Export As. Type a file name next to "Name." Click Select File Type. Click GIF image. Click Export  Click Export again. Click As animation. Type the frame rate (i.e. 30) next to "Delay between frames where unspecified:". Click Export

SUMMARY: Create a new file in GIMP. Open each frame of animation as a new layer. Add the frame rate in milliseconds to each layer name. Preview your animation. Export your file as a GIF.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: No one expects you to immediately understand all the elements of a new job right away, but they may be too busy to realize that you need help.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask someone to explain something to you; not only does it demonstrate that you care about the work you are doing, but it might even make the person you ask like you more.  It’s better to ask for help than to do something the wrong way.  Save you and your coworkers time by asking for clarification and doing things right the first time. Benjamin Franklin famously won over people that didn’t like him by asking for favors.  Asking for a favor can pacify someone that sees you as a rival and make them see you in a more positive light. You may find yourself without much to do on your first day at work.  After filling out human resources documents and completing orientation there may be time leftover that your supervisor or manager hasn’t accounted for.  Don’t let that time, or any time in your new job, go to waste.  Volunteer to help others with things so you can learn about the job and get to know your coworkers. Be proactive and complete tasks you know you will be asked to complete later. Be comfortable with the idea of doing things that might make you uncomfortable.  Doing new things is the only way to get good at them. Demonstrating an understanding of what the company does and how it works on your first day shows that you are well prepared and care about the job.  Research the company you will be working for and read about their operations and policies on their website if you can.  Look for the company in the news to see if there are any developing or recent stories that involve the company. Peruse press releases the company posts on its website. Shining a spotlight on the help others have provided or the hard work they’ve done goes far to demonstrate your confidence and that you are a team player.  If someone goes out of their way to assist you, mention it to the group or your supervisor in conversation.  Pointing out the achievements of others may strengthen your relationship with them. Demonstrating that you are willing to share the spotlight shows your employers and coworkers that you aren’t selfish. Now that you have established yourself as a valuable new member of your team, it's up to you to live up to the expectations that you've set for yourself.  Keep up your good habits to establish a long lasting impression as a team player and asset to the organization.  Be a hard worker, but be modest about your successes and achievements. Demonstrate a willingness to help others and be a part of the team. Be honest about mistakes and upbeat about every situation. Be ambitious and action oriented; don't be afraid to try new things.

SUMMARY: Ask for help. Take initiative. Know the company. Share the spotlight. Develop your first impression into a lasting impression.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your focal point is a feature demanding attention, usually the first thing you see when you walk into a room. You want everything around your focal point to complement it. Having a center point of your room helps keep things balanced.  Some rooms have built-in focal points, like large windows or a fireplace. Other focal points include a rug, television, or patterned couch. You can also paint 1 wall a different color to create your own focal point. Examine the colors in your focal point, and choose 1 or 2 hues to accent your room. Pillows are great accessories to add a splash of color to your space, and matching colors to your focal point creates unity and cohesion. For example, if your rug in your living room is primarily blue, red, green, and purple, you can pair this with blue and purple throw pillows on your couch. After you choose a few throw pillows, you can pick other accessories in the similar colors. Place these items on either your coffee tables or end tables. These will help tie the look together across the entire room!  If you aren’t a fan of candlesticks, you could place lanterns on your floor or above your fireplace. You can use lighter or darker hues of the same color to add some interest, if you'd like. If you’re using a vase, you can also place real or fake flowers in similar colors inside the vase. This adds a fresh and pleasant touch to your space! Add decorative touches to your wall by using items like shelves or frames for your art in your color scheme. You can pull your room together by repeating similar colors throughout. It may look best to paint these in a lighter shade of your focal colors, though, so as to not make your room too loud.  You can purchase plain or solid-colored shelves or frames and paint them yourself to perfectly match your displays. Simply purchase acrylic paint, and apply it using a thin paintbrush. For a classy and sophisticated look, pick black and white frames and match the artwork or photographs inside the frames to the colors of the focal point in the room. To match your items to your room, you can incorporate items important to you or your family. Ideas include photo albums, vintage baseballs, or childhood art projects. These items can add a touch of individuality and make your spaces unique. If your items are valuable or particularly old, consider placing them in a shadow box or display case. The best part about interior decorating is that you can always change your arrangements! Play around with placement, and try putting an item somewhere else if it doesn't suit your fancy.  For example, if you are not in love with the throw pillows on your bed, swap them out for throw pillows on your couch instead. Maybe they look better in a different location! Additionally, you can rearrange your knick-knacks on your shelves so all similar items are together. Or, choose to spread them out if you'd prefer!

SUMMARY:
Find your room’s focal point and decorate based on its colors. Choose 3-5 throw pillows in complementary colors to accent your focal point. Get candle holders or vases in similar colors to your pillows. Choose shelves and frames in a lighter shade of your colors to add cohesion. Use personal or sentimental accessories, so your room feels like home. Be creative with placement to make your spaces your own.