Spotlight On: Rosemary Chalmers (Head of School, MetStudios Brighton)

We sat down with Rosemary Chalmers, Head of School at MetStudios Brighton, to talk about her fascinating career journey, her passion for creature design, and how she’s shaping the future of game education. With a background that blends concept art and anthrozoology, Rosemary has a unique approach to teaching and an inspiring vision for the next generation of game designers.

In this interview, we chat through some emerging industry trends, the importance of inclusivity in game design, and why resilience is key to success in the fast-evolving world of games.

Can you share some key highlights of your career that led you to become Head of School at MetStudios?

My career has been defined by international collaboration and trans-disciplinary innovation. As an educator, I have had the privilege of developing and leading groundbreaking courses in games, comics, and concept design, including the world’s first MA in Creature Design. My teaching journey began with English language teaching in South Korea, where I adopted an immersive, experiential approach that has continued throughout my career and I now integrate into my work at MetStudios, creating industry simulations from day one.

As a concept artist, I have contributed to the animation, film, and games industries, focusing particularly on creature design. I collaborated with scientists through the SciArt Initiative and Almost Real: A Speculative Biology Zine, exploring the possibilities of new species. My work as a games artist includes creating card art for Ecogon, an eco-educational tabletop game by Gaiagames, which educates players on ecosystems and biodiversity. These projects have deepened my commitment to eco-focused game design and have shaped my research on more-than-human representation in games. At MetStudios, I emphasise environmental and ethical considerations in our curriculum, fostering a holistic understanding of game design.

Academically, I hold two MAs with Distinction: one in Concept Art for Games & Animation from Teesside University, and one in Anthrozoology from the University of Exeter. I have exhibited, published, and delivered keynotes both nationally and internationally. I bring this research-informed, global perspective to MetStudios, inspiring our students to engage in worldbuilding with curiosity and care.

Your work has ranged from creative design to technical roles in games. How has this dual perspective shaped your approach to teaching?

Working as both a designer and educator, I’ve seen how technical and creative skills are deeply interwoven. This dual experience has taught me that creativity thrives with technical precision, so I emphasise foundational technical skills in my teaching, ensuring students can bring their imaginative ideas to life effectively. In our games courses, I encourage experimentation within structured workflows, which fosters an environment where technical mastery enhances creative exploration.

As an artist and developer, how do you balance creativity and technical precision when working on game projects?

For me, the balance comes through research and iterative design. My background in speculative biology and SciArt informs my creative process, pushing me to think about the “why” behind creature or world design while keeping technical feasibility in focus. By integrating research-driven creative decisions with technical benchmarks, I ensure that every project I undertake has both artistic depth and functional clarity, a balance I strive to impart to students.

What trends or innovations in game design are you most excited about, and how do you see them influencing future development at MetStudios?

I’m especially excited about advancements in VR and AR, as they open immersive storytelling avenues. These technologies allow for deeper interactions with non-human perspectives, an area close to my research in multi-species storytelling and eco-educational design. At MetStudios, we’re integrating VR and AR to explore complex narratives that challenge anthropocentric viewpoints, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with these innovations.You’ve mentioned your involvement in world-building projects. What do you think makes for successful world-building, and how do you teach students to develop immersive environments?

Successful worldbuilding is about creating a cohesive and believable environment, regardless of the scale. It’s not about designing every detail but about knowing what to focus on and understanding what elements will communicate the most to your audience. I teach students to consider how even small details can imply larger worlds, encouraging them to think deeply about the lore, culture, and history of their environments.

It’s about subtle storytelling through design and making every decision intentional to enhance immersion, but it’s also important to not get bogged down or held hostage to this kind of stuff. It’s just as important that you actually make something at the end of the day!

What role does cross-disciplinary collaboration play in your teaching, and how do you encourage it within the student body?

Cross-disciplinary collaboration is integral, as it mirrors industry dynamics and enriches creative problem-solving. With a background in science and art collaboration this is a key value of mine. I encourage students to work alongside those from other creative and technical backgrounds, fostering an understanding of how diverse skills enhance project outcomes. Through collaborative projects and guest workshops, I create opportunities for students to experience and value the diversity of thought and expertise in team settings.

In your experience, what are the most essential skills students should develop to succeed in today/tomorrow’s gaming industry?

Resilience, strong foundational skills, and an understanding of diverse perspectives are crucial. In my practice, I push this even further with consideration of more than human audiences. With rapid technological change, resilience is key, and grounding in fundamentals—such as anatomy for creature design or coding basics for interactive design—provides a solid base. Additionally, embracing inclusivity enhances storytelling and design, enabling students to build games that resonate with broader audiences.

You’ve been involved in both indie and large-scale game projects. How do you teach students to navigate these different working environments?

In indie projects, flexibility and resourcefulness are essential, whereas larger projects require specific roles and structured workflows. I encourage students to experience both types of environments through projects that simulate real-world conditions. My teaching also emphasises soft skills like communication, collaboration, and time management, which are invaluable in any setting.

Could you speak about the importance of inclusivity and diversity in game design, and how MetStudios is fostering these values in its curriculum?

Diversity enriches the games industry by bringing in varied perspectives that lead to more inclusive, authentic narratives. As a Women in Games and Videogames Ambassador, I live and breathe the promotion of inclusivity and diversity. At MetStudios, we emphasise inclusivity by integrating neurodiverse-friendly design principles, representing varied gender identities and backgrounds, and encouraging narratives that avoid stereotyping. Our curriculum champions these values, preparing students to create respectful, representative content.

How do you envision the role of generative AI in game development, and how do you prepare students for the changing landscape of the creative industries in light of this?

Generative AI is set to revolutionise creative workflows, offering new tools for prototyping, procedural generation, and adaptive storytelling. However, understanding ethical implications and the creative potential of AI is crucial. Being open-minded and curious, and proceeding with care and sensitivity is key. I prepare students by teaching them to critically assess AI tools, ensuring they are able to enhance, not replace, human creativity in responsible, impactful ways.

What is your advice to aspiring game artists, designers and developers?

Pursue your interests with curiosity and resilience. Stay adaptable, as the games industry is constantly evolving, and seek out collaborations across disciplines. Engage in continuous learning, embrace critiques, and bring authenticity to your work. Above all, focus on crafting narratives that matter; games have the power to challenge perspectives and make lasting impacts on all species of the world.

Chatting with Rosemary Chalmers was a real eye-opener into the future of game design education. Her passion for creature design and deep commitment to inclusive, thoughtful storytelling truly sets the tone for what’s happening at MetStudios Brighton. Rosemary’s answers were filled with wisdom, from emphasising the importance of balancing technical skill with wild creativity, to encouraging our students to embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration and think beyond human-centric narratives. She’s excited about how tech like VR and AR can open up entirely new storytelling possibilities, and she’s preparing students not just for the industry as it is now, but for where it’s headed next.

It’s clear that she’s all about nurturing adaptable, resilient creators who can handle the pace of this ever-evolving field—and do it with a sense of purpose. If you want to see more of Rosemary’s incredible work or learn about her creature design projects, check out her portfolio at www.rosemaryartist.com. Trust us, it’s worth a look!