Art is defined by Merriam Webster's dictionary as skill acquired by experience, study or observation, especially by the creation or manipulation of artistic output. Art may be defined as seen through the eyes of the beholder, but it most assuredly and unequivocally is not restricted to a particular medium or style of creation. Many people feel that paintings and other art forms are the only true forms of art because most other forms of communication are corrupted by the influence of advertising and other mass communications.

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Art has evolved over the past century from the Art Deco period to the digital age and beyond. GIS has helped to make art more accessible to everyone in many different formats. Visual art forms are no longer the exclusive domain of the rich and powerful, as they once were. The internet has opened up new platforms for sharing visual communication on a global scale and this trend is only increasing in the coming years.

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Art and graphic design are not mutually exclusive terms, though they once were. The history of graphic design can be traced back to the beginnings of print media, specifically the engraving print process used by the ancient Romans. Art Director Roman amphitheatres, in particular, were very famous for their use of dramatic and evocative imagery to communicate information to their audiences. Art Director's work, especially on large public projects such as the Olympics, revolutionized the concept of visual communication by allowing people to see the physical actions that were occurring behind the scenes. The history of graphic design can also be traced back to the early years of the twentieth century, when photographer showed early attempts at creating visual communication through the lens and from there, to the digital revolution we are currently experiencing.

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Art Director and Graphic Designer like George Koutalas are interchangeable terms, though many might confuse the two. Art Director refers to those responsible for the creation of advertising campaigns and other mass media designed communication. This art form evolved out of the commercial gallery industry and was later refined by the graphic design industry. It was later joined the creative field by the designers who worked in the advertising agencies and publishing houses. In recent years, however, the graphic design industry has branched off from this early evolution, focusing instead on the innovative technology and cutting-edge methods being used in the visual communication industry.

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Art Director still has a role to play in this emerging revolution, but now they are primarily hired to create advertising campaigns. They are often consulted on a wide range of projects, from logo design to the development of websites and interactive media. A great deal of emphasis is placed on interaction in the 21st century, and Art Director's must learn to design interfaces that make communication easy for users. The Art Director position is one of many in the advertising agencies, a position which is also referred to as an executive position. The Art Director must also understand the business side of things, although they may only have a limited understanding of graphic design. Much of their work will focus on the interface, as opposed to a lot of research into the creative side of things.

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The Art Director's job is not an easy task. Their job is demanding and they have to be very organized. They have to understand the evolution of advertising, the changing face of design and the need to be up with the times in the 21st century. This evolution is all about making the world a better place and the Art Director can play a key part in this, while at the same time providing a beautiful aesthetic.