What do i need to know to become a Graphic designer?

Do I need to know photoshop to become a graphic designer?

• I am pretty creative and am good in art. I am thinking about going to school to become a graphic designer. Do I have to have knowlege in programs before I take classes?

• Answer:

  To be prepared to go into the industry, a designer should be knowledgeable about the tools of the trade, and, for graphic design, the digital tools are pretty standard. As a minimum, you should be exposed to the Adobe suite of applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Beyond those, think about QuarkXPress, Flash, Acrobat Pro, Dreamweaver (or other web creator) Word, Painter, perhaps the Corel suite, and so on. In other words, the more tools you can handle, the more versitile you can be as a professional. Like in the old days, one may have been the best sketch artist around, but, if one only knew how to handle a pencil, he wouldn't be getting as much work as one who could do pen and ink, watercolors, oils, pastels, charcoal or other media. Also, the more you know about web design, video, and print technology, the stronger you will be in the market place. The more YOU can handle yourself, the less you, or your employer, will have to farm out for someone ELSE to do.