Hope I don't confuse the issue
Graphic design is, in the common usage of the term, "art for commerce". The basic idea and specs are at the instigation of the client. The designer uses his or her artistry (drawing, typography, layout & design, photo-editing, etc.) to conceptualize and produce the art to present the client's product in it's best light.
Art that is done solely from the artist's heart and mind is termed "Fine Art" even if it "looks like" commercial graphic design.
Every square inch of the "live" area whether it be paper or pixel is calculated to represent and communicate a feeling, a need or an idea. This is the use of positive and negative space that we are all familiar with. Whether one arrives at a design by such technical means as the Grid System, Divine Proportion, The Rule of Thirds or "By Feel", your eye is being manipulated, there is a reason for everything on the page.
Color is another discussion in itself.
As far as photography is concerned, I've seen many a great picture desecrated by bad placement, amateurish color correction and poor typography and seen some pissed off photographers as a result of, yes bad design.
I have known a few great designers who could barely draw a straight line, but had the innate sense of proportion, placement, and color that allowed them to create visuals that would rivet your eyes to whatever they did. They didn't have to be good draftsmen, they were great "visual thinkers".
I have also known great draftsmen, people who would blow you away in a life drawing class, but struggled in the basic elements of design and composition. They couldn't "see" beyond the beautiful lines that came out of their graphite sticks. Unless the scene was set for them (a posed model, still life, landscape, etc.) they were pretty much at a loss for an idea. This is nothing against them, they were great craftsmen/artisans in there own right.
I am thoroughly convinced that one can be a great designer without being a great draftsman, but rarely can one be a great illustrator without a great sense of design. Look at anything from the "Golden Age of Illustration", N.C. Wyeth, J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell and the great Maxfield Parrish, to name just a few. There was an almost mathematical precision to everything they did, in some cases, outright genius. Throughout history, the same principals of creativity apply, not just "what it should be" but "how it should be" the blending of great craft and great design. In other words, great art.
What is KING in all of the art world, is THE IDEA, and Photoshop hasn't come up with a plug-in for that yet.
Oh yeah, I AM a designer and illustrator
not saying I'm great at either, but I have managed to eke out living at it for 20 years or so.
