You should be using nothing but Adobe CS apps. If not then your working in not only ancient technology, but if your going to be looking for work in the design business, your going to be given the high-hat. (shown the door quickly)
As many here have noted, its a high-end learning, but once you do learn it, you'll see how productive it all really is. All of the products are designed for accuracy, speed and most, quality. It kills me when someone says that they know how to use Photoshop and then they start explaining to me how they know exactly where to go to work the curves function! Seriously!
When I first started designing, despite having some lengthy knowledge of Photoshop, I didn't know a thing about Illustrator other then how to get really frustrated. I got into an ROP program (which thanks to funding in the State of California, doesn't even exist anymore) When the instructor started asking me questions about InDesign: "Well yeah! I am designing!"
The fact is that I wasn't even close!
Do it right, don't cut corners and most be open-minded to going back to school. Thats what its going to take. There are going to be far more people that are a lot better then you are, but think the same way as you do--they just want to work! We are talking about a lot of really creative and artistic people!
The first thing you should be learning is art composition; color, perspective, font styles (serif, sans serif, etc. learn how and where those styles came from, because eventually, its important in choosing the style of fonts for projects.)
Also, one of the most important: refinement. You have to know when to keep on going and when to stop. You rush it, then its going to looked rushed. You go too slow, then you won't be holding a job very long. Go look on Craig's List and see how many firms are looking for graphic designers and "Photoshop experts." They fire them often! The fire them PERIOD!
Its here that you will figure out that Adobe is nothing more then a tool--a very good set of tools. You want to work with Mac, Snap On or Craftsman, then you better know and learn about how to use all of the tools and apps in Adobe's CS. You want to work with K Brand, available for close to nothing at Auto Zone, expect problems. BIG PROBLEMS!
