Fourth Interview Questions

I plan on interviewing Chris Green, a graphic designer with over 15 years of experience at Tetra Tech in Pasadena. If I can, I would like to interview Michelle Bandach, the owner of one of my all time favorite design blogs and a designer herself. (It's one of the links on the side. I don't remember which one.)

1. What common characteristics, if any, do successful graphic designers possess?
2. What steps do graphic designers need to take in order to produce successful work (i.e. ad campaigns, etc)?
3. What are the most important questions should graphic designers ask clients?
4. What important skills must graphic designers learn which are not taught in classes? 
5. What skills in general are important for a graphic designer?
6. What is the best way for one to conceptualize an original concept?
7. Is drawing inspiration from past designs looked down upon? If so, why? If not, what are the best sources for these?
8. Are there any characteristics that are common among successful designs (i.e. ad campaigns, award winning publications, etc)? If so, what?
9. Is there a set "design process" which all designers follow? If so, what and elaborate. If not, why?
10. What is the biggest factor to take a design from good to great?
11. How do designers get inspired? How do they maintain the motivation and inspiration throughout the design process?
12. What is the typical day for graphic designers? 
13. What is the biggest challenge being a graphic designer?
14. I recently had another interview with graphic designer Sylvia Ly. She mentioned that the audience plays a huge role in determining what a design will be. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
15. She also explained that Web Design is a popular field for designers to go in. What differences in skill are there between editorial designers and web designers?
16. When is a graphic designer considered "successful?"
17. What key things do you think are essential to designing? Are these standard among all designers?
18. What resources do good graphic designers utilize in terms of inspiration/creating the actual work?
19. What characteristics are necessary for EVERY graphic designer?
20. What's the difference between digital art and graphic design? Does one need to know digital art in order to be a graphic designer?