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Pixel Pusher, You ever get called this?

polycounter lvl 6
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ExcessiveZero polycounter lvl 6
I was once called a pixel pusher by a concept artist I knew who also happens to be one of the biggest asshats I have ever met.

I was just wondering just how many of you have had someone call you a pixel pusher because I know this term has been around before even used ironically in some respects even in a jovial fashion but it can also be very derogatory I think, and I honestly felt quite annoyed and it really irked me at the time because of just how I took it as such a personal attack.

I know I shouldn't dwell on this, quite a long time ago now, and only came back into my head just now, so it for sure left an imprint as I tend to get on well with others but he, but was just wondering how you guys felt about this term and if they had been called it in a derogatory sense before.

 its strange such a thing I found kind of comical once I found offensive in that instance.

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  • Sean VanGorder
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    Dude, I think you may be overreacting a bit. I have never even considered that term to be derogatory. In fact, I really only ever see 3d artists referring to themselves as pixel pushers. If that's the most offended you've ever been in your life then I'd say you're quite lucky.
  • illo
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    working as an illustrator and using vray for renders I get called a 'renderer'.
    but really, assholes generally insult people they are intimidated by, meaning you hit a level of artistic awesome that intimidated him, so not all bad eh?

    and if you want to go the petty way, you could call him a 'flat earth-er'(cause hes only working in 2 dimensions, eh eh?! yeah!) or something equally as fun.
  • ceebee
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    ceebee polycounter lvl 14
    shut up pixel pushers
  • ExcessiveZero
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    ExcessiveZero polycounter lvl 6
    Dude, I think you may be overreacting a bit. I have never even considered that term to be derogatory. In fact, I really only ever see 3d artists referring to themselves as pixel pushers. If that's the most offended you've ever been in your life then I'd say you're quite lucky.
    The strange thing is my logical processes even agree with this, and perhaps I should of been offended more by something else, but maybe it is some clash of ego or identity why I found it so offensive, and the very clear malicious way in which he meant it.

    if I had not known the guy for quite awhile or if it was meant in a joking or whatever context I really would not have been offended by it, its like anyone in the street can say any manner of thing to you and you should brush it off, but when someone who knows you says something like that it can really fuck with you.

    illo wrote: »
    working as an illustrator and using vray for renders I get called a 'renderer'.
    but really, assholes generally insult people they are intimidated by, meaning you hit a level of artistic awesome that intimidated him, so not all bad eh?

    and if you want to go the petty way, you could call him a 'flat earth-er'(cause hes only working in 2 dimensions, eh eh?! yeah!) or something equally as fun.
    lol flat earther.
  • Jason Young
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    Jason Young polycounter lvl 14
    I prefer the term meat printer.
  • GarageBay9
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    GarageBay9 polycounter lvl 13
    I made a t-shirt for myself that said "akimbo polyslinger". "Pixel pusher" wouldn't specifically offend me.

    That said, sounds like the dude sat down one day and had a chair stuck up his ass ever since, so screw 'em.
  • xvampire
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    xvampire polycounter lvl 14
    depends on how you combine it with your situation.
    its look like I ve seen those term in someone's signature for a while.

    "pushing pixel since ...."
  • JacqueChoi
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    JacqueChoi polycounter
    Never been called a 'Pixel-Pusher', but one time some asshole called me a.. 'POLY-Counter'.

    What douchebag.




    /sarcasm
  • 3DKnight
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    3DKnight polycounter lvl 17
    You should correct him that the correct term is "vertex pusher". Anyone sitting in front of a computer is always pushing "pixels".
  • Oniram
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    Oniram polycounter lvl 16
    we have a guy at work who enters the office each morning by yelling and screaming GOOD MORNING at everyone. he once lengthened that to "GOOD MORNING! HAPPY MONDAY! GLAD TO SEE EVERYONE AT THE PIXEL PUSHING FACTORY FOR ANOTHER EXCITING WEEK!"

    we laughed. not sure how that could ever be seen as derogatory.
  • AtticusMars
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    AtticusMars greentooth
    illo wrote: »
    working as an illustrator and using vray for renders I get called a 'renderer'.
    Could be worse, you coulda been a tracer

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMwhZryRUr4"]Chasing Amy - Tracer - YouTube[/ame]
  • rogelio
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    rogelio greentooth
    I prefer point pusher myself :) Than I can be referenced to this awesome mentor I had http://pointpusher.blogspot.com/ :D I say own it make a blog and become epic. If you do not own it maybe I will :D
  • NegevPro
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    NegevPro polycounter lvl 4
    It seems like a really lame insult to me. I mean of all the things one could think of to insult another artist, is "pixel pusher" really the best they could come up with?

    At the end of the day, it's just obnoxious elitism and there's absolutely no end to it. This happens all the time when it comes to programmers and it pisses me off because it's the most childish thing ever.

    Java coders will insult Python coders. C coders will insult Java coders. Objective C coders will insult everybody, including each other. Then you see people resorting to saying things like "lol, you're using an IDE? I always code with nothing more than a text editor!"

    You'll see more of it in schools than in the real world I think. My CS classes are always filled with assholes that constantly talk trash about other coders and there are always people that actually laugh at the fact that other people are struggling with some of the classes. I was sitting in lecture the other day and this asswipe sitting in front of me said something along the lines of "I can't wait until 80% of the people in this room fail the class and drop out of the program." While I'm sure that will be the case, I find it amazing how some people actually enjoy seeing others struggle.

    Personally, I think the best thing to do if somebody is trying to crush you with their hardcore ego is to just acknowledge the fact that they want to be special and give them the "recognition" they desire even if in reality, you could give less than a quarter of a shit. Generally the people who try bragging to me will not stop until they find something that makes them "special" or "stand out." It's incredibly annoying but they won't stop until told they're special.

    I heard nut shots work just as well though.
  • ExcessiveZero
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    ExcessiveZero polycounter lvl 6
    rogelio wrote: »
    I prefer point pusher myself :) Than I can be referenced to this awesome mentor I had http://pointpusher.blogspot.com/ :D I say own it make a blog and become epic. If you do not own it maybe I will :D

    very good point

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6aQBWMN7UE
  • D4V1DC
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    D4V1DC polycounter lvl 18
  • Marine
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    Marine polycounter lvl 18
    In fact, I really only ever see 3d artists referring to themselves as pixel pushers

    That's because it's OUR word. It's one thing for us to call each other pixel pushers but when some bitch ass doodler comes along and says it... it's time to call the National Association of Artistic Computer People.
  • Equanim
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    Equanim polycounter lvl 11
    Yeah, that's insecurity, usually job related. It's because he's afraid that you possess more of his skills than he does yours, which is probably true.

    The worst offenders I've seen are graphic designers toward interactive designers.

    I used to feel that way about photographers (though I never said it to one), until I decided to actually study photography. The hard labor still pales in comparison to CG (imo), but it is a serious art form.
  • MeshModeler
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    MeshModeler polycounter lvl 11
    im pushin pixels so hard right now.
  • Autocon
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    Autocon polycounter lvl 15
    Here is my current list of work related insults. Use them as you see fit.

    Vert Wiggler - 3d Artist
    Pixel Color-er - Texture Artist
    Lego Placer - Environment Artist
    People Maker - Character Artist
    Picture Doodler - Concept Artist
    Idea Guy - Designer
    Credit Taker - Game Director
    Binary - Programmer
    Skeletor - Rigger
    Light-switch Tuner - Lighter
    Noise Maker - Audio
    Task Master - Producer
    Wordy McWordstrum - Writer
    Cheato Fingers - QA
  • NyneDown
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    NyneDown polycounter lvl 11
    I have been called a whole lot worse, to be honest. Maybe the dude thought he was being funny and clever? Either way, I dont think it's something to get bent over.

    I use to work with a guy who called me "Junior" (among other things), just to further establish that he had more years of experience than me. He'd say this in front of everyone when we were in groups from the first week I started there. Over time, I would rag on him over various things. He was a complete douche. One time, I even thought about slashing his car tires with a pocket spork I carry with me. We're now pretty good friends. True story :)
  • Jeff Parrott
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    Jeff Parrott polycounter lvl 19
    I agree with NyneDown. I'll been called a lot worse in the past.

    A jerk could call you like Mr Awesome and it would sound horrible. It's probably 99% the person.
  • MainManiac
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    MainManiac polycounter lvl 11
    When I make 3d models I feel like I'm just doing a fancy form of tracing with someone elses design so I think the title is fitting
  • sprunghunt
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    sprunghunt polycounter
    I like to think of myself as a polygon pimp - because pimpin' ain't easy.
  • Fwap
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    Fwap polycounter lvl 13
    My mum calls me "mi steak" not sure what she means though.
  • Torch
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    Torch interpolator
    Imo, better for someone to jokingly call you a Pixel Pusher and not mean it, than to call you a massive twat and mean it :D

    I wouldn't take it too personally, people are going to make comments no matter what, best to take them with a pinch of salt. I have a friend who's been studying medicine for a few years and gets a bit uppity about it - she sometimes takes the piss with "What have you been working on today, more stickmen?"

    Just make fun back and know that you're in an awesome profession to be in :D
  • MattQ86
  • ExcessiveZero
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    ExcessiveZero polycounter lvl 6
    I agree with NyneDown. I'll been called a lot worse in the past.

    A jerk could call you like Mr Awesome and it would sound horrible. It's probably 99% the person.

    I think thats what it boils down to man.

    Nynedown that junior shit would drive me insane.
  • WarrenM
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    I prefer Digital Ditch Digger.
  • Pedro Amorim
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    Autocon wrote: »
    Here is my current list of work related insults. Use them as you see fit.

    Vert Wiggler - 3d Artist
    Pixel Color-er - Texture Artist
    Lego Placer - Environment Artist
    People Maker - Character Artist
    Picture Doodler - Concept Artist
    Idea Guy - Designer
    Credit Taker - Game Director
    Binary - Programmer
    Skeletor - Rigger
    Light-switch Tuner - Lighter
    Noise Maker - Audio
    Task Master - Producer
    Wordy McWordstrum - Writer
    Cheato Fingers - QA

    wiggler please!
  • SsSandu_C
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    SsSandu_C polycounter lvl 13
    dunno sometimes when I google polycount I miss a letter and I end up with polycunt... maybe it's a subconscious thing
  • EarthQuake
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    We're going to launch our sister site, polycunt.com soon. Its either going to be a blacklist of all the assholes in the games industry, or a 3d porn site filled with content made exclusively by polycount artists. Haven't decided yet.
  • Kaine123
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    Kaine123 polycounter lvl 10
    why not both??
  • CougarJo
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    CougarJo polycounter lvl 6
    "polycunt" I laughed a little too hard...


    The first idea is clever haha , but for the 3D porn there is still deviantart...(gosh I hate it for this...)
  • Swizzle
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    Swizzle polycounter lvl 15
    EarthQuake wrote: »
    We're going to launch our sister site, polycunt.com soon. Its either going to be a blacklist of all the assholes in the games industry, or a 3d porn site filled with content made exclusively by polycount artists. Haven't decided yet.

    ¿Por que no los dos?
  • NyneDown
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    NyneDown polycounter lvl 11
    I think thats what it boils down to man.

    Nynedown that junior shit would drive me insane.

    It all comes from insecurity. Over the years as I got to know him, I found out he use to be that kid on the playground having basketballs thrown at his face. Felt sorry for the big guy after a while.
  • jddg5wa
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    jddg5wa polycounter lvl 8
    Pixel Pusher doesn't sound so bad. Kind of imagining it as someone who get's to tell the pixel who's boss, tell him where to go and what to do. All that power.
  • Urzaz
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    Urzaz polycounter lvl 6
    MFW people call me a vert wiggler:

    WbtJYVA.png
  • MiAlx
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    MiAlx polycounter lvl 10
    Autocon wrote: »
    Here is my current list of work related insults. Use them as you see fit.

    Vert Wiggler - 3d Artist
    Pixel Color-er - Texture Artist
    Lego Placer - Environment Artist
    People Maker - Character Artist
    Picture Doodler - Concept Artist
    Idea Guy - Designer
    Credit Taker - Game Director
    Binary - Programmer
    Skeletor - Rigger
    Light-switch Tuner - Lighter
    Noise Maker - Audio
    Task Master - Producer
    Wordy McWordstrum - Writer
    Cheato Fingers - QA

    So... an animator would be called.. a necromancer?
  • StephenVyas
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    StephenVyas polycounter lvl 18
    You're being way too kind, MiAlx...
  • slipsius
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    slipsius mod
    I think you`re a vert pusher... He's the pixel pusher if hes the concept artist...
  • reverendK
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    reverendK polycounter lvl 7
    Animator - bone poser
  • haiddasalami
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    haiddasalami polycounter lvl 14
    Tech Artist = IT

    I seriously had someone come up to me and ask if I could help them install Cryengine at their house....
  • low odor
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    low odor polycounter lvl 17
    Animator= mocap cleaner

    :ducks:
  • ambershee
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    ambershee polycounter lvl 17
    Autocon wrote: »
    Binary - Programmer

    Code Monkeys.

    I once nearly flipped out when a scripter started getting arsey with me (referring ot me as 'one of the lazy coders' because I couldn't schedule in an unscheduled feature by the end of the week that they wanted. I'd just come out of a voluntary 100 hour week to implement some prototype tech-art the previous week and was still doing 11 hour days :/
  • Justin Meisse
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    Justin Meisse polycounter lvl 18
    I once had a guy call me a fucking faggot and kick my car. He was renting property from my mom and I chewed him out for constantly being late and burning down the portable office in a misguided attempt to get out of his lease early.

    I couldn't imagine getting that angry over an innocuous comment like Pixel Pusher, unless he was coming at you with his fists up.
  • Shiniku
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    Shiniku polycounter lvl 9
    Yeah dude I think you took way too much offense to that. I know it's less about the words and more how the person means it, but I can't imagine many situations where I would be considering punching a bloke over a name.

    On a tangentially related note, I dislike when people call 3d models 'drawings'.
  • Baj Singh
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    Baj Singh polycounter lvl 9
    Polygon Pervert...
  • leslievdb
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    leslievdb polycounter lvl 15
    personally i wouldn`t be offended ,
    I can see it being said by some D-bag in such a way that it sound denigrating but whenever someone you work with does this you got to remind them that even though they might have a fancier degree or a bit more money on their paycheck they`re still basically working on the same thing you are and without you there would be a big chunk of the project you`re working on missing.

    The reason you feel offended might be because you fear thats all you are? Just make sure you learn as much as you can and label yourself as artist so whenever they throw shit like that at you you can assure yourself that you`re more than a pixelpushing monkey and things you do are backed up by a deep understanding of what you``re doing.
  • Axios
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    Axios polycounter lvl 10
    Sometimes it's more how something is said and the intention rather than the word itself.

    That being said, you're all a bunch of meat fellows.
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