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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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.