Photoshop & Illustrator is the most important tools for graphics designer, don't know how if you don't have those two graphics editor
Always start out with Adobe Photoshop and work on some backgrounds, layouts and banners on that. After you feel confident with that you should try out Adobe Illustrator and make some logos. I find while practicing logos it's fun to think up a company name, business and slogan and make a logo for that made up company. If you don't want to pay for photoshop and illustrator you can always download The Gimp and Inkscape for free. You should also play around with Maxon Cinema 4D.
I tried using Illustrator a few days ago. I was completely lost! I'm pretty sure I wasted my money buying that program at this point. I guess I'll just stick to Photoshop for a while now.
using or having Adobe Photoshop does not make you a graphic designer. you do not need Adobe Photoshop to be a graphic designer. apparently you do not know much about the industry that you call your own. i would suggest going back to school and leaving design to the professionals. have a nice day.
Illustrator is all about the pen tool. The important thing to remember is that you do not draw in illustrator. Normally, you draw on a piece of paper, scan that, open it in illustrator, then vector it. Of course, you can do much more than that, but thats the most common use for the program. @Exnie: I would highly suggest going with 3D Studio Max instead of Cinema 4D. I find it's much easier to learn how to use. Cinema 4D is only advantageous if you are trying to make abstract models, and even then, a good 3DSM user will make a nicer render than a good C4D user - IMO. Take a look at videa.deviantart.com for some impressive 3DSM work.