I'll be glad to answer some questions. PM me for my info if you're interested.

Hi Create, welcome to the forum. You'll need more posts in order to receive PMs. As an alternative, you could post the questions here in this thread and get several designers to answer.

We ask all new members to read the threads posted HERE and HERE. They explain how the forum runs, the rules, frequently discussed topics and our inside jokes.

If you don't mind, go for it. I'll do as @garricks suggested and edit the post and put the questions there, so anybody else who wished to contribute can.

Thanks!

[edit]I had to post a new reply to post the question, but, here they are...[/edit]

1. A lot of people assume that if you work in the graphic design field, the job absolutely must be easy or "not too challenging," since most of your work is done on a computer. Of course, this is not true, there's much more to take into consideration. What do you have to say about this?

2. What is the workload you can expect through this career?

3. There's a lot of learning involved... Do you find yourself learning new things all the time?

4. What do clients usually look for?

5. Do you implement any other type of occupation through graphic design (i.e web design, web development, etc)

1. A lot of people assume that if you work in the graphic design field, the job absolutely must be easy or "not too challenging," since most of your work is done on a computer. Of course, this is not true, there's much more to take into consideration. What do you have to say about this?
The prevalence of do-it-yourself software out there makes this seem to be the case to the layman. It isn't the computer or the software that makes a designer, it is being trained in theory and being able to apply skills learned by experience. The computer is only a tool, like a carpenter's hammer. Anyone can use a hammer, but can they build a house?

2. What is the workload you can expect through this career?
As much as you can handle, and then some. Expect to work on multiple projects at one time. Learn to manage your time and your due dates. You cannot miss your due dates.

3. There's a lot of learning involved... Do you find yourself learning new things all the time?
If you stop learning you will fall behind.

4. What do clients usually look for?
Results. If you can prove your design work brings in results, that, and a good reputation, will take you far.

5. Do you implement any other type of occupation through graphic design (i.e web design, web development, etc)
I work in a weird little niche of the design industry. By other type of occupation do you mean things like interactive design, educational design, exhibit design, experiential design, environmental design? Everyone just looks at print/web design as the be-all-end-all of the Graphic Design field. There's far more out there. If you know where to look.

Thank you so much!

1. A lot of people assume that if you work in the graphic design field, the job absolutely must be easy or "not too challenging," since most of your work is done on a computer. Of course, this is not true, there's much more to take into consideration. What do you have to say about this?

A computer is a tool. The tool is only as good as the person using it. If you put a scalpel in my hand I may very well be able to cut you open. But, can I do it as well as a trained surgeon? Of course not.

2. What is the workload you can expect through this career?

The workload can vary, but the deadlines are never as far out as you'd like.

3. There's a lot of learning involved... Do you find yourself learning new things all the time?

There is a lot of learning to do. Not only learning the new software when it comes out, but also staying on top of new trends and ideas.

4. What do clients usually look for?

Good work. I've found clients don't really care what the price is if the work is done well.

5. Do you implement any other type of occupation through graphic design (i.e web design, web development, etc)

I do a lot of web work. These days it's probably 40% web and 60% print.