Behind every piece of technology we build is a team of talented people who make it possible. The thinkers, builders and problem-solvers who turn ideas into something real. This article is part of our new Team behind the tech series, where we introduce you to the brilliant people who fuel our company and shape what we create every day.
Meet Ross Lockett-Kirk, a Game Designer in the LABS team
Ross is a Game Designer at Cineon, where he focuses on designing engaging, thoughtful interactive experiences that support training, wellbeing and human performance.
Working across Unity-based projects, Ross designs the structure, systems and interactions that sit behind Cineon’s immersive experiences. His work blends creativity with careful planning, ensuring projects are not only technically sound but also intuitive, engaging and appropriate for the people using them.
What was your journey to Cineon?
After studying Computer Game Design, I started out working on games, including a project that was showcased at EGX. While I loved the creative side, I realised I wanted to use my skills for something with more real‑world impact.
When I was looking for my next role, Cineon stood out because it allows me to apply what I’ve learned from games to work that genuinely helps people. Designing engaging experiences that support training, wellbeing and human performance feels far more meaningful than entertainment alone.
What are you working on?
I’m focused on the development of a digital experience that will support stress reduction in high‑pressure professional environments (we can’t talk specifics just yet!).
My focus is on the design of the experience itself. This includes the creation of VR therapeutic environments and the overall structure, from menus and navigation to how users move through different spaces.
What are the main challenges?
The VR environments are designed as calm, natural settings inspired by forests, meadows and coastal landscapes. A key design principle is avoiding overstimulation. That means being mindful to use subtle interactions, soft transitions and minimal visual disruption, so the experience actively supports anxiety reduction rather than adding cognitive load.
Another ongoing consideration is maintaining user engagement. For example, when designing VR training environments where tasks might feel repetitive or mundane, I’m always thinking about how to keep the experience interesting so users don’t disengage. Giving users agency and meaningful interaction helps turn necessary tasks into experiences that feel more natural and satisfying, although finding the right approach can sometimes be the tricky part.
What does an average day look like?
My day-to-day work usually involves focusing on specific areas of a project’s task list. Today, for example, I’m working on the design of the core systems and architecture for this project. Elements like controllers and interaction structures, as well as building the individual components that sit within them.
A large part of my process is planning how systems work together before development begins. I break experiences down into reusable components so interactions are consistent, efficient and easy to maintain. Alongside development, I regularly test experiences and get feedback from the rest of the team to improve engagement and usability.
What do you enjoy the most about the process?
The early stage of the project is the most fun for me, this is where prototyping, experimentation and research come into play – allowing ideas to be tested quickly.
I also like the process of mapping out how things will work, exploring different approaches and finding creative solutions that fit a project’s goals. That research and development phase – where ideas are thrown around and tested to see what sticks – is good fun!
From early concept through to carefully crafted interactions, Ross brings creativity, structure and empathy to every experience he designs. He is one of the people behind the technology at Cineon, helping turn complex ideas into experiences that feel calm, intuitive and meaningful.
