Modern times have left no stone unturned in the search for branches and fields to modernize. Everything is now altered, improved or moved to a new, digital world. Nothing was left untouched, not even art. Modern art is new not only in the way of expression, but also in form. Creativity manifests itself through net techniques and shapes - it’s going digital. It starts to serve other purposes as well, as creativity serves business. The visual elements are no longer only pleasing, now they are also functional. The best example is graphic design. However, is it still art in its commercial form?

A few words about graphic design
Let’s focus first on a brief definition of graphic design. Mostly because the majority of sources define it as the art and profession. That might seem to be an answer to the main question. If graphic design is defined as the kind of art, then we ought to suppose it is. However, there is a great number of opponents of such statements that would put forth their arguments.

Graphic design is a part of a broader field that is graphic arts. It involves planning and creating projects with the use of visual elements and text. Its main goal is to communicate some idea or a message to the audience. Rasmussen University’s website included a thorough article that discusses different aspects of graphic design. The aspect that is of the main interest here is whether it is or isn’t art in its most common understanding.

Graphic design and all graphic arts have been developing together with the changes in technology and the modern world. There are different types of this visual design, and they serve different purposes. A computer graphic designer might create a whole new world online for the purpose of video games of any kind - adventure, logic or even no-download free slots on sites like VegasSlotsOnline. Even games from the gambling and casino field require good graphic design. It’s not enough that they are safe, secure and fun to play, they also need to be visually attractive. Just like any other encouraging game. This is where graphic designers step in and do their jobs.

The opponents of giving the graphic arts the right to be considered as art claim that this form of creation is purely commercial, functional and created with the use of special programs and software. Where in all of this is the place for emotions and creativity, integral parts of all forms of art? Whoever claims that probably forgets about the fact that being a graphic designer requires tons of creativity. Even more, those developed, coherent and complicated worlds of online games demand imagination, originality and inventiveness. Is it enough to honestly call it art?

Is it or is it not art?
The answer to this question will remain a topic of discussion, at least for some time yet. It is not easy to answer either yes or no, as both sides of the dispute have their right and wrong arguments. Graphic arts are denied by some the right to call themselves art, mostly because their creators and designers are limited in their expression. They need to focus on the message, the audience, be convincing, tell stories and sell. While art in its traditional understanding has no limits when it comes to personal expression.

There is another issue. Graphic designers in their work might not be fully creative and use their potential to the fullest, but as people they are indeed artists - certainly in their free time. Because it goes without saying that they do have tools, knowledge and ideas to play and flirt with art in its purest, traditional understanding. We go back to the main question - isn’t something created by an artist called art? If so, shouldn’t be all forms of graphic design labelled as art with no discussion? Or maybe graphic designers are artists only outside their workplace and office hours strip them of this title? Those are the questions that will remain unanswered. The perspective of the designers themselves is also an interesting one, as points Creative Boom site in its article presenting the voice of those most interested in the subject.