The meaning of the term "graphic design" is subject to a long series of interpretations

The word "design" is used to refer to the process of scheduling, planning, coordinating, selecting and organizing a number of factors. and elements with a view to achieving objects intended to produce visual communications, is also used in relation to the objects created by this activity. The verb "design" used in connection with the above process and not as synonymous with draw, although this action may sometimes be part of that process. The word "graphic" qualifies the word "design", and relates to the production of visual objects intended to communicate specific messages. Then, "graphic" does not mean drawings, engravings, figures, graphics or ornaments such as may be the case in other contexts.
Then, according to propose an initial definition, one could say that graphic design, seen as an activity, is the action to conceive, plan, design and perform visual communications, produced generally by industrial means and intended to convey specific messages to groups determined. A graphic design is an object created by this activity.

Graphic designer and communication

The graphic designer works in interpretation, ordering and display of messages. His sensitivity to the form must be parallel to its sensitivity to the content. A designer does not command word typography, but orders words, works in the effectiveness, beauty and economy of the messages. This work, beyond cosmetics, has to do with planning and structuring communications with their production and evaluation.

Graphic designer and editor

In rare cases the graphic designer works in nonverbal messages. Sometimes the word appears briefly, sometimes appears in the form of complex texts. The editor is in many cases an essential member of the communication team.

Graphic designer and other professionals

The graphic designer in many cases requires the participation photographer or illustrator; in others calligrapher or technical draftsman; often it requires the participation of other less related specialists with their visual work. The designer, both in the design of the communication strategy and the graphic realization rather than a soloist, is like a conductor, you should know the possibilities of all instruments, without necessarily knowing touch, and its work primarily that of a coordinator. The designer and coordinates research, design and implementation, using information or specialists in accordance with the requirements of different projects. 

The graphic designer is a visual communications specialist and his work relates to all steps of the communication process, in which context, the action of creating a visual object is only one aspect of that process.