In the UK at least, marketing is often seen as financial and committee-led design.
You mention tools in different software packages, in my opinion this is one of the least important elements to being a good designer.
Design can be extremely intelligent and professionals with an acute understanding of communication, sociology, etc, seem to do very well.
My advice: find a great course (theory/ideas based) in a place your happy to spend a few years of you life and go from there.