I need to make a simple GIF animation. Can someone give me a site for a free download/ trial of a GIF maker?

You can download a free trial of Adobe Fireworks 8 here:

http://www.adobe.com/fireworks

You can submit your information for an invite to the beta version of Adobe Fireworks 9 here:

http://prerelease.adobe.com/

You can make animated .gifs using the frames panel of the Fireworks application. Here is a free video tutorial in case you need it:

http://www.video-tutes.com/Tute_details_1208.htm

Ulead Gif Animator has a trial version.

Irfan view will make animated gifs and it's free.

It depends on what you are talking about when you say 'design my pictures' - you could probably find a ripped copy of paintshop pro on one of the file sharing progs.

Easy 3D Animation Software : http://3danimationcartoons.com/?LUJV

there's an open source software program (read - free....) called blender. run a search on it.... i'ts really a top of the line program.

good luck!!