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Why do people assume creative jobs are easy?

Jobs like fashion, music producer, artist, designer etc.... People don't realize how much work, time and thinking goes into our work. I designed a 29 page medical brochure for a client. This project took 7+ hours to make. Took a lot of creativity and time to get this done within the timeline he wanted it. I am charging him $200, which is a pretty cheap for a brochure design. However he wants $200 for two 29 page brochures and a smaller brochure. That is not going to happen. I've been screwed over so many times in the past doing freelance work that i refuse to budge for this one.

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Massageman · 70-79, M

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.

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@Massageman Thank you very much for sharing that. Greatly appreciate it. Its true, these new programs have people thinking they are designers. Good design takes time to accomplish, I have been through those simple designs that turn into a nightmare. They tell you it will only take an hour and then it draws out into days and weeks. I will stand my ground on this one. Thank you.

rottenrobi · 56-60, F

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.

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@rottenrobi Thank you, well said

theAlchemist · 56-60, M

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.

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@theAlchemist Thank you, I 100% agree with everything you said. Handmade design takes so much work, time, creativity and effort. I use to sketch and do a few paintings so I know what you are talking about. I have so much respect for people who do things by hand.

Azrael2 · 22-25, T

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

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Azrael2 · 22-25, T

@CestManan you discount all the emotional labour and physical labour, not just of the work itself, but of keeping themselves attractive enough that people want to pay for them and probably strong/flexible enough if they're into any kind of dancing (especially the pole thing). You also forget all the skill it takes to make the quality of content that people want to pay 100$ for. You forget the skill it takes to come up with attractive outfits that show off their assets and the labour it takes to keep their customers happy in general.

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@CestManan well said

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@Azrael2 I agree and disagree with you. To be honest I see sex work as the easy way out that's why you see more women going into that field. To be honest it doesn't take much skill. The dancing part of it, maybe. Many women are doing Onlyfans because its quick and easy money.

WanderingThrough · 31-35, F

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.

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@WanderingThrough Thank you, well said. People only see the final product and not the work it took to finish it.

JohnnyNoir · 56-60, M

$200 sounds very cheap

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@JohnnyNoir it is, I am actually giving him a discount.

CestManan · 46-50, F

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?

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@CestManan well said, the time is for labor, time spent planning things and research.

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skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@SW-User Thank you :).

empanadas · 31-35, M

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

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@empanadas It is worth, just wish more people understood how much work it takes.

empanadas · 31-35, M

@skip2mylou yeah it's definitely not for everybody. it seems awesome from the outside but they don't know the late nights and earlier mornings that went into creating that dream

skip2mylou · 31-35, M

@empanadas Goodness me, tell me about it. I became addicted to energy drinks because of the late nights I had to stay up.

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