What are the similarities and differences between the careers of graphic arts and graphic design?

Graphic design is actually designing. It would include artists, designers, art directors, etc. Graphic arts is the printing business - prepress technicians, press operators, bindery workers, silk screeners, etc. From dictionary.com: graphic design –noun the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, esp. to produce a specific effect. graphic arts –noun 1. Also called graphics. the arts or techniques, as engraving, etching, drypoint, woodcut, lithography, and other methods, by which copies of an original design are printed from a plate, block, or the like. 2. the arts of drawing, painting, and printmaking.

Graphic arts would include a knowledge of the entire production process, from concept, design, execution and printing and broadcast media. A designer, on the other hand, should have some knowledge of that process, but need not get involved in the actual production. An Art Director, or instance, had BETTER know the process beyond the design. His/Her job had better not create unnecessary work for the department beyond. A freelance designer is another one who'd be better served by knowing the entire process. The more the designer can do for himself, the less he has to pay someone else to do it for him.

Arts is more creative

Design is to integrate ideas and arts together. If you are good at art, you're more in PRODUCTION, not DESIGN. Photography, typography and illustration are arts, a finished magazine cover is design which includes what are mentioned. Which one are you good at?

They are both the same Staci, just different monikers that's all. It's like the American and Canadian way of spelling 'honour'. The Americans spell the word without the 'u'. But they both mean the same thing.