Is there a decent, free graphic design program out there? I mean, I don't need anything elaborate that can do anything, just something that would be good for beginners to start building some skills.

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We went down to the May Parade --
Mumbled words under my breath.
There is something I've been meaning to do;
I am dying to tell you - I've been so damn tired.

There are also online sites, such as https://www.photoshop.com or http://fotoflexer.com/  

Bear in mind that graphic design is a HUGE field, and there are TONS of different programs that you could mean.  What do you need software to do?  Build skills.  "In what" is my next question.  Are you designing t shirts, photos, newsletters, magazines, websites, fonts,... I could go on.  What interests you?  Theres some nice free software out there for us to help you find, but help us narrow a bit.

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9x-7i < 3(3x-7u)
I WIFOM therfore I am.

I've done a bit of research, actually, and have downloaded GIMP, as well as Inkscape. I'm getting a free copy of Photoshop Elements with my tablet, so I think I'll have it all covered.

Basically, at the moment, I want to design t-shirts for threadless, as well as expressing myself through cool designs like this one that someone made in Inkscape:

Since I'm a complete noob to any of this, I'll just start by just getting used to drawing on a tablet by practicing simple exercises, though.

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We went down to the May Parade --
Mumbled words under my breath.
There is something I've been meaning to do;
I am dying to tell you - I've been so damn tired.

it's a whole suite of graphic design stuff... all online in web applications. for free.

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I once heard the voice of God.
It said "Vrrrrmmmmm." Unless it was just a lawn mower.