Stuff?
Stuff, a great word we all know well enough, but never actually know what it truly means. What Stuff exactly? We need to put a label on stuff, we need to classify, group and sort. We need to know what stuff someone does. What stuff someone has. What stuff someone believes to define who they are. I discovered at one point I hated labels.
That Guy
I became the StuffGuy 20 years ago in 2003, after several years of random freelance. I found myself at a bar one night with a bunch of fellow local designers, coders, and artists. Drinks turned to debating what best defined what some of us were. Designing web pages and coding them, doing the branding, creating animations. Almost no one felt comfortable saying they did only what their role title suggested. Then, someone asked me what do I do?
At the time, I was writing and laying out a cg book, writing magazine tutorials, teaching, designing, animating for a startup, and had just finished a job as a projectionist as well. I just blurted out “Stuff… I just do stuff, whatever stuff needs to be done, I do it.”
“He’s a stuff guy” one said, “Yea Kai, the stuff guy” another chimed in.
It is a name that holds well, in my primary industry. We often talk about generalists, jack of all trades, master of none. My generalist knowledge allowed me to simply get things done. It has allowed me the success I’ve had in becoming a CG supervisor
…
I learn best by sharing and teaching others. The StuffGuy moniker applies now, more than ever. This is a site about sharing a passion for stuff. For the next few months the focus will be on Hiking, as I hike the Pacific Crest Trail. When I return, maybe some baking, and who knows maybe I’ll get back in to discussing and teaching CG. Hopefully you will find something interesting that brings you back for more.