This is the first post in my blog which will, eventually, become one of the most popular blogs on graphics and illustrations in a time to come 😉

It’s a hard work and I have a long way to go, but I intend to make it so useful, that you will just love it. (If you are in any way in graphics/design/photography business).

OK. Now, where do we start … just like in old-fashioned books on theory of something let’s see what wikipedia has to say on the definition of graphics and illustration.

graph·ic (gr?f’?k)
adj. also graph·i·cal (-?-k?l)

1. 1. Of or relating to written representation.
   b) Of or relating to pictorial representation.
   c) Of, relating to, or represented by or as if by a graph.
2. 2. Described in vivid detail.
3. 2. Clearly outlined or set forth.
4. 4. Of or relating to the graphic arts.
5. 5. Of or relating to graphics.
6. 6. Geology. Having crystals resembling printed characters.

n.

1. 1. A work of graphic art.
2. 2. A pictorial device used for illustration, as in a lecture.
3. 3. A graphic display generated by a computer or an imaging device.

A visual representation such as a photo, illustration or diagram. A graphic may contain text, but text by itself is not considered a graphic unless it is done in a stylized fashion. In the computer, a graphic is a file such as a JPEG or GIF.

il·lus·tra·tion (?l’?-str?’sh?n)
n.

1. 1. The act of clarifying or explaining.
2. 2. The state of being clarified or explained.
3. 3. Material used to clarify or explain.
4. 4. Visual matter used to clarify or decorate a text.
5. 5. Obsolete. Illumination.

Visual element in an advertisement. The illustration is an efficient way to represent an idea and works in concert with the headline to attract the reader to the advertisement. It is the illustration that helps to make the copy believable.

Graphics

are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images. Graphics often combine text, illustration, and color. Graphic design may consist of the deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flier, poster, web site, or book without any other element. Clarity or effective communication may be the objective, association with other cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the creation of a distinctive style.

Graphics can be functional or artistic. Graphics can be imaginary or represent something in the real world. The latter can be a recorded version, such as a photograph, or an interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features, or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may become blurred.

An Illustration

is a visualization such as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that stresses subject more than form. The aim of an illustration is to elucidate or decorate a story, poem or piece of textual information (such as a newspaper article), traditionally by providing a visual representation of something described in the text.

Source: wikipedia.org, answers.com
Illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith