^Actually, CS2, is hardly a step up from CS, so your friend isn't missing out on much. ^^;
Anyway, about your banner, it is way too monotone, and other than the far right of the sig where the render is, it's basically empty. So be sure to work on those, and also depth, and your left side is just a bunch of download brushes smacked on, but I think you could become really good at this. ^^