[[Image:Tablet mouse.svg|right]]'''Graphic image development''', '''visual image development''', or simply '''image development''', are synonymous [[umbrella term]]s used to encompass the development of graphics (mainly [[computer graphic]]s) for use in [[media]]{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. Since the computer has merged skills such as [[illustrator|illustrating]], [[photography]], [[photo editing]], [[3-D modeling]], and [[handicraft]], [[creative professional]]s may find "image development" a more flexible umbrella term to avoid over-specifying or limiting options in the [[design]] process. The merging of the skills has led to multi-skilled image development artists. [[Photographer]]s may become [[digital artist]]s. Illustrators may become [[animators]]. [[Handicraft]] may be [[computer-aided]] or use [[computer generated imagery]] as a template.
The term is also used to distinguish the process of '''preparing elements''' for use in media (e.g. [[photograph]]s, [[illustration]]s, [[chart]]s) from the process of '''composing elements''' (e.g. [[page layout]], [[web development]], [[film editing]], [[desktop publishing]]) to a single presentation piece (e.g. [[brochure]], [[web page]], [[movie]], [[Billboard (advertising)|billboard]]). Artists that know [[Composition (visual arts)|composition]] skills may also know image development skills. They may do the image development themselves or collaborate with other individually skilled imaged developers. Collaboration with image developers may be more useful with higher budget projects and projects that require rare or completely unique image development styles.
The term is not to be confused with the development process for the [[corporate image]] called [[brand]]ing. The term is also in contrast to [[image editing]] which excludes the capturing of images and creation of images from scratch. Image development also includes images generated without human interaction such as [[fractal art]].
