Graphic image development, visual image development, or simply image development, are synonymous terms used to encompass the development of graphics (mainly computer graphics) for use in media[citation needed]. Since the computer has merged skills such as illustrating, photography, photo editing, 3-D modeling, and handicraft, creative professionals may find "image development" a more flexible 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. Photographers may become digital artists. 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. photographs, illustrations, charts) 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). Artists that know 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 branding. 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.