Abstract: The paper reviews the need of graphs in the course of human adaptation to nature and transformation of nature, and the role graphs played in social development by looking back at how script and number originated from graphs. The paper explains the features, status and functions of the graph based on a four dimensional descriptive structure, including “shape”, “meaning”, “element” and “utility”, and also analyzes the evolution of graphs on these four dimensions. It is shown that the “shape” dimension is characterized with height, the “meaning” dimension with depth, the “element” dimension with fusion and “utility” dimension with penetration. Along this line of graphic evolution, the present study explicates the formation, transformation, and development of graphics, as well as what graphics refers to. In this sense, a framework of graphics is proposed based on elements of the graph.

Key words:  graph, image, graphics, discipline