We can start right now.
Lesson 1: Photoshop is not graphic design. It is a tool. So is Illustrator, Indesign, Flash and Dreamweaver.
Lesson 2: Graphic design is not a computer skill. It is understanding how to complete a communication objective in a fresh, smart, funny or beautiful way, by using color, typography, photography, illustration.
If you understand that Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 are two different, but overlapping directions move on to Lesson 3.
Lesson 3: Start to explore design annuals and design books at a local bookstore. Look how they "solve a problem", instead of just look pretty. It's design with an intent. It's not "decorated", but designed.
A famous designer, Bob Gill, has written many books that show very simply ways design solves problems. Get one of any of his books to start with. "Forget All the Rules You Ever Learned About Graphic Design: Including the Ones in this Book" or "Graphic Design as a Second Language: Bob Gill (Hands on Graphics) ". They all are super expensive right now on Amazon, but maybe check your local used bookstore for them. Maybe there's another book you will find, but you are looking for a tool to show you examples of 1- problem 2- a designer thinking through the problem 3- a visual solution.
Lesson 4: Layout. Research "the grid". There's plenty of books on Amazon. Get one of those and learn to divide your page or space into thirds. I didnt learn it starting out and still dont use it, but I wish I'd had. It will make your work look "finished" by adhering to those principles.
Lesson 5: Pick out what areas of design you want to get into: advertising, poster design, packaing design, web design, illustration, book covers, stationery, collateral, logos, signage.
Lesson 6: Pick a design area or a few. Start by sketching out (on paper, with a pencil) multiple solutions for brands you already know. If you like packaging for instance, do 50 or so different design options. Just sketches, write notes about what color schemes, or textures etc until you can pretty much visualize each solution just by looking at your sketch. Then do another and another. Leave it sit for a few days or hours and come back to it. Do a few more ideas. Leave it to cool again and come back to it. Make some edits. See which are your best ideas. Can they be revised again? The longer you make this part, the better. Good design just takes longer. Circle your favorites and try to put into words why.
Lesson 7: Get a subscription to Lynda.com. The first week is free, but you'll have to find that offer somewhere. Usually it's $25 a month. Start with learning Indesign, as most print design will fall into Indesign at some point. If you look at a newspaper, it's laid out in Indesign. Elements from other programs, like Photoshop and Illustrator are placed into Indesign. Type is typically set in Indesign too. Do the "Getting Started" in Lynda.com for Indesign. There's not a better, cheaper, faster way to learn.
Then move on to Illustrator and Photoshop. You will see the strengths of each of the programs. Illustrator is more line/vector and Photoshop pixel/photobased.
Lesson 8: When you have an understanding of all 3, take your sketch out and execute it with those programs.
Lesson 9: Go back to Lesson 6. Repeat until you've done at least 30 pieces. Then maybe pick your strongest 10-12. See if you can get an appointment, or informational interview with a local design firm and talk to their creative director or principle. Ask them for their feedback on your work. D
Lesson 10: Don't cry when they give you feedback. Thank them repeatedly. Send them a thank you note or a gift.
Lesson 11: Make their suggested changes. Go to another firm and get their opinion. Repeat Lessons 9 and 10.
That's pretty much it.