Hello! I'm not really a graphic designer, but I do know what it takes. If you
are planning on making graphics here are some programs that will surely help you.
Photoshop will be needed for editing but to avoid buying such an expensive program, I would recommend for you to use Gimp which is basically an easier Photoshop, and it's free. With Gimp, you can do mostly everything Photoshop does. You can use it to make thumbnails, edit, etc.
Cinema 4D will be necessary for any sort of high quality Minecraft characters to be involved in Youtube banners or profile pictures. It allows for you to create the render that most graphic designers I know use to make the Minecraft character on banners. Cinema 4D is also definitely used to make intros, and text which always comes handy in making some good thumbnails.
If you are planning on making intros, After Effects is a program that most intro makers use to add the flashy and bouncy effects on intros. Blender is another program that allows you to make intros. The good thing about Blender is that Cinema 4D and After Effects are not needed. The con about this is that most Blender intros are not as good as Cinema 4D + AE intros.
This is all I know. If I forgot something, I'll be sure to let you know! Good luck with your graphics! c:
