What best defines graphics in the context of visual communication?

The definition of graphics in the context of visual communication indeed focuses on the combination of images, text, and ideas to convey information or messages effectively. This highlights the essence of graphics, which is to serve as a medium for visual storytelling, allowing designers to present complex information in an easily digestible format. By merging visuals with textual information, graphics can enhance understanding, evoke emotions, and attract attention, making them a crucial element in various forms of multimedia communication, such as advertisements, infographics, and web design.

The other options, while related to the broader fields of design and technology, do not encapsulate the fundamental nature of graphics. Software used for editing images pertains to tools rather than the concept itself, coding data focuses on programming aspects rather than visual representation, and the collaborative process emphasizes teamwork but does not specifically define what graphics are. Thus, the best choice that captures the core idea of graphics in visual communication is the one that speaks to their integrative role in combining elements to convey messages.