What does graphic design mean and is it art?

I am just curious what graphic design is. Is it art? Is it a process? Is it on the same respect level as a painter or a marketing director?

You'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about graphic design here:
http://www.aiga.org/why-design/
https://www.graphicartistsguild.org/

In my opinion, graphic design *can* be art... if the piece itself is artistic. (I do graphic design, fine art, and marketing.)

There is a great deal of change in the field right now. I think it's very exciting. Over the last few decades, we've seen more and more design museums opening across the country, and more fine arts museums are mounting design exhibitions.

I see the elite end of the design spectrum being received as fine art. The lower end of it is still seen as amateurish, desktop publishing drivel.

Graphic design is basically done on a graphics tablet http://www.wexphotographic.com/webcontent/product_images/large/261/1521030.jpg so that is using technology I this is is art beause its not like you have copied and pasted something...