[Soultrader]

Hi brownsfan,

There is also a solution of a CMPS (Content Management & Portal System) which is fully customizable with an admin control panel. For example, I am using a board system in combination with a CMPS for this site. This allows me to add blocks, sections, etc.. without professional knowledge of web design. There are plenty of different CMPS solutions out there. You might want to take a look into as well

[Nick1984]

Photoshop is essentail to learn. For more detailed things CAD is pretty cool but might be over the top as well as really expensive to buy. It depends on what you want to do really. My mate uploads his CAD images onto his website for clients to see. He's an industrial designer/architect. But for all intensive purposes Photoshop and Dreamweaver are sufficient for basic stuff.

[darthtrader]

you might want to check out GIMP instead of photoshop if you just want to do it more for a hobby.
GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

its basically a free version of photoshop. if you have never used photoshop before its fine, its a pain if you know photoshop from a UI perspective but its free.

you might even want to start out learning basic html instead of an editor. it will take a little longer but once you know some you can just copy a site design you like.