Why do people assume creative jobs are easy?

I agree with you 101%. I have been a Graphic Artist for 54 years, including 48 since I graduated with my BS in Communications and Graphic Design, and 6 years saving money for college by doing paste-up (back when we actually had to stick things down on a bigger sheet).
I am the second generation of Graphics person in my family, my daughter who is also degreed in the field is the 3rd generation, and my granddaughter on one side, and a grandson from my other daughter looks like we'll be going for four gens. but I digress - - - - - -

Computers and "graphic programs" are largely to blame. "Oh, I can slap it together with a free Shutterfly and just pay $6.19 for S/H. Fine, go ahead! I've used it, too, but I've used it with the grounding of a half-century (Gosh, that makes me feel SO old) of practice!

My daughter has the same problem. She normally bills out at $50-60/hr., with a 2 hr minimum on anything bigger than a flyer, plus she has an Etsy shop "Doorpost Truth". Then she gets requests from the church where "everyone is a volunteer", and where a "simple little thing" turns into a nightmare of falling dominoes. SHe'd like to help out, but, where do you draw the line??

Ironically, these programs that let people think they are all "graphic artists" don't even know the difference between a "type face" and a "font", since they are NOT interchangeable. sigh

So, stand your ground. And if they want you to store their files, charge them as "file maintenance fee" as well. Good luck.

I had a landscaping business for over 20 years. I designed many gardens. You're righ, being creative, for someone else, is work. $200 for a brochure is a very good deal. What he wants is ridiculous.

I can't speak for the issues regarding creative jobs as I don't have one and never have had one. But I do make artworks for myself and have been making artworks off and on since 1988. Making artworks does involve a lot of time, thought and labor. Working to get things to look just how you want them to look. Or, far more often, ending up with something that isn't what you originally had in mind, but satisfies you anyway. The money that art supplies cost. The effort involved in learning software programs all on your own. The prep time in mixing 8 - 10 paint colors. Making "aesthetic decisions" when you've been working on your piece for the last 10 hours, and you're dead tired and just want to go to bed. People that don't do any creative work (whether as a job or not) have zero understanding of what's really involved in making creative works. They think and assume it's all fun and play. Nothing is further from the truth of the realities of people who actually make creative works.

Yep, same goes for sex work. People really thing sex work is the 'easy' way out for women 😒

I didn't know people thought those jobs were easy. I'm sorry that he's being so difficult. I have a friend who is a composer and I've heard so many awful stories. Same with my friends who are artists. People always want the art for cheap, not considering the time it takes to make something so beautiful.

$200 sounds very cheap

Well, of course you know to find out what the competition charges so you will have an idea of what you should.

When you say the project took 7+ hours, does that include the time you spent planning things or was that strictly the "labor" part?

yeah creative work takes a lot of time. i worked years to build up my blogs and youtube channels. it's hard work but it's worth it