[HELP] Tattoo/Drawing artist - Getting into Graphics Design [HELP]

Hey everyone, my name is Cody, I am 19 years old, and I have been involved in the computer/gaming world my whole life. I have a passion for art, I do tattoos and draw/paint/air brush, but thats all physical tangible art.
I want to get into the graphics design because I am very familiar with computers and self taught everything I know. I'm completely beginner to this area of art and would like to expand. I plan on being a member of this forum and growing an learning C: I plan on eventually going to college in this field, but I wanna start here at home before I even apply for a college. I would want to start off by making signatures and designing threads for people on some gaming forums that I use, and just making cool little art stuff to begin with, eventually expanding to whatever else this line of hobby/career offer c: I would love to post all my art an continue to learn!

I know a few basics, such as some decent programs I heard are photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
I would love to start my journey immediately!

What I am asking is someone to just list some programs an maybe some links of what to download an what to use?...I can teach myself how to use the programs through youtube and just messing around with it. Like I said I am very familiar when it comes to technology/computers. Any other knowledge and input is appreciated and desired. I am a great student and I catch on quick. I am just a beginner in this field, but I have a HEART for ART, COMPUTERS, and GAMING. I would love to become a professional an make this a career one day.

Cheers!
~Cody

 

Watch tutorials and play around... thats how im started, and have improved slightly. I may not be the best person to answer this question as im not the best but im guessing there going to say pretty much the same..

 

here is a way to get free/trial programs http://www.sythe.org/graphics-resou...6-free-graphic-design-programs-beginners.html
i would suggest looking up how to get the programs for free unless you want to buy them. we can't tell you how on here tho.

 

Thank you c:
I know how to get them for free =p

cheers!

 

If you good with hand-written designs, you NEED to invest into a drawing tablet like a bamboo or something, it will help you so much.

 

First off, get yourself a tablet! Doesn't cost more than 80 dollars for a decent one.

Second off, if you are really into it i'd suggest learning how to use " 3DS MAX " this is a 3D modeling software, wich is used to model items, weapons, characters for games as world of warcraft or dota 2 for example.

Then you have sculpting, ( bringing detail into your model ), this can be done via a program called Zbrush. These are all premium software, but it's amazing what u can do with only these 2 programs, you can make new characters from scratch and with photoshop give them colorfull life.

 

can you get the tablet at best buy?
also, im not interested in making weapons/characters, more or less designing forum layouts, signatures, etc. c:

thank you for input! i will look into these things!

anything else you wanna include would be great! thanks mate!

~cheers! , Sedistic

 

Yes you can get the tablet at best buy. The best one for its price is a bamboo tablet.

 

GREAT! thank you!