Founded in 1959 by Richard Coyne and Robert Blanchard, the magazine's coverage includes graphic design, advertising, photography, illustration, typography and interactive media.

Currently, Communication Arts publishes six issues a year and hosts six creative competitions in graphic design, advertising, photography, illustration, typography and interactive media and two websites, commarts.com and creativehotlist.com.

[2] After Blanchard left to go into business by himself, Coyne, along with his wife Jean and a small staff, continued to write, design, and produce the magazine.

[4] To generate additional income and editorial content, the magazine began an annual juried competition in 1960.

[6] In addition to showcasing creative work in visual communications, it included job listings.