INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Join design organizations.  There are many graphic design organizations at both local and national levels that host webinars, conferences, and other events where their members can ask questions and learn new techniques.  For instance, the American Institute of Graphic Arts has chapters throughout the country.  Use their database at http://www.aiga.org/chapters/ to locate one near you. You could send some of your work to a designer with a style similar to yours, along with a complimentary note explaining, “I think you might like this piece I did recently.  Let me know what you think!”  If they show interest, develop the relationship and stay in contact with them.  They might send work your way. Stay connected to your classmates.  When you’re developing graphic design skills in college, develop close ties to your classmates.  They will be your future peers in the graphic design industry, and could be helpful when you’re looking for work.  Be genuinely friendly and interested in their ideas and designs. Many local nonprofits require graphic design or web design assistance.  As a nonprofit, they naturally want to save money on these costs.  Offering your graphic design abilities is a good way to both give back to your community and bulk up your resume.  Identify a charity you believe in and approach them with an offer to help them with graphic design.  For instance, if you’re passionate about food justice and poverty, you might approach your local food bank or soup kitchen with an offer to lend a hand. Ask the nonprofit’s management what kind of projects they want help with.  Draft several iterations for the designs they need and let them choose the one they like best. There are many venues online where you can exhibit your work.  Tumblr caters to image-based graphic design posts, though you could also use a blogging platform like WordPress or Squarespace to make a digital showcase of your work.  Behance, an online portfolio service, is another good option that you can direct potential employers or clients to.  Finally, you could always use more traditional social media like Facebook and Instagram to show your work and get your name out.  Enter graphic design competitions.  Many graphic design organizations and universities offer graphic design competitions based around a certain design feature or theme.  For instance, your local university or college might offer design contest based around designing new typefaces. Check with the AIGA (http://www.aiga.org/competitions/) and with sites like Graphic Competitions (http://www.graphiccompetitions.com/graphic-design/) to find one you feel qualified to submit work to. Winning a competition -- or even placing second or third -- looks great on a resume and can be useful for getting more work.  Plus, it will give you the confidence you need to get deeper into graphic design. Even if you aren’t employed in graphic design, you should use your free time to continue exercising your creative talent and developing your abilities.  The more quality material you have under your belt, the more you’ll be able to share with prospective employers when you go on job interviews or seek new clients.

SUMMARY: Network with others in your field. Volunteer with nonprofits. Develop an online presence. Don’t stop creating.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Take hold of the rope on the end of the right side of the "U" and slide your hand down the rope to measure out 1 foot (30 cm) of rope. Bring your hands together to squish the "S" down horizontally. " Bring the end of the rope under the bottom curve, wrapping it around the whole "S" four times. Feed the end of the rope through the second, right bend of the "S" to secure the tie and complete the first rung.

SUMMARY: Set a single length of rope down on a flat surface and form it into a "U" shape. Position the rope between your two hands into an "S" shape. Make the first rung of the ladder by taking the left end of the rope and threading it through the first, left bend of the "S. Repeat this as many times as you need to create the rope ladder to your desired length.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Choose a spot that isn't full sun (unless the plant is a succulent, cactus, or a plant with flowers). Also, don't pick a spot that gets extreme temperatures. A sunny room is a good choice, but set the plant out from the window 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) so that it gets indirect light. Leave the plant in this spot to help it adjust. Resist the temptation to move the plant around or to transplant it into a new pot. Let the soil dry out almost completely before giving it its first watering.  After being moved around among several different environments, the plant is in a state of semi-shock and needs time to adjust to yet another environment. Isolate new plants from other plants in the house to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. Avoid placing a warmth-loving species in the greenhouse or warm room right away, even if it loves the situation. Many florists and garden centers keep plants in lower temperatures, and if you make the plant too warm at first, it can lead to shock. The plant has probably been fertilized at some point. The plant already has enough nutrients, and adding more could do more harm than good. After about a year, the plant may need fertilizer. Check on what that species needs specifically, as some do not need fertilizer at all.

SUMMARY:
Pick a good spot in your house. Avoid fertilizing the plant.